πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,013 in Medellin versus $796 in Madinat As Sultan Qaboos.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,214 in Madinat As Sultan Qaboos.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,192 in Medellin versus $1,632 in Madinat As Sultan Qaboos.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 27% more expensive than Madinat As Sultan Qaboos, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Madinat As Sultan Qaboos41% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Madinat As Sultan Qaboos
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.3K
$5.05OMRΒ 1.94
18.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 116.9K
$25.54OMRΒ 9.83
28.66%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.2K
$7.94OMRΒ 3.06
-10.71%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,093
$4.84OMRΒ 1.86
-64.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,910
$1.04OMRΒ 0.40
5.77%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,771
$0.31OMRΒ 0.12
151.61%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,976
$12.20OMRΒ 4.70
-86.23%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$11.72OMRΒ 4.51
-73.81%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Madinat As Sultan Qaboos
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,892
$1.90OMRΒ 0.73
-42.63%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,492
$1.20OMRΒ 0.46
5.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,905
$1.72OMRΒ 0.66
-19.77%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,799
$2.37OMRΒ 0.91
-7.59%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$3.82OMRΒ 1.47
15.18%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.0K
$5.05OMRΒ 1.94
11.49%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.6K
$8.72OMRΒ 3.36
1.95%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,319
$2.58OMRΒ 0.99
-9.30%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,764
$1.69OMRΒ 0.65
-37.28%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,355
$1.85OMRΒ 0.71
-18.92%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,906
$1.12OMRΒ 0.43
23.21%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,097
$0.96OMRΒ 0.37
19.79%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,141
$0.99OMRΒ 0.38
17.17%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,170
$1.09OMRΒ 0.42
-18.35%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,986
$0.52OMRΒ 0.20
61.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,116
$6.29OMRΒ 2.42
-63.75%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$15.55OMRΒ 5.99
-31.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,268
$4.27OMRΒ 1.65
-71.90%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,793
$7.84OMRΒ 3.02
-68.49%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Madinat As Sultan Qaboos
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,045
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.3K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,245
$3.10OMRΒ 1.20
-52.58%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,984
$0.75OMRΒ 0.29
161.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.5K
$10.31OMRΒ 3.97
-24.93%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,397
$0.60OMRΒ 0.23
58.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.5M
$22.9KOMRΒ 8,823
-20.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.2M
$21.6KOMRΒ 8,308
22.74%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Madinat As Sultan Qaboos
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 292.7K
$109OMRΒ 41.88
-24.38%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.8K
$40.91OMRΒ 15.75
-76.78%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.2K
$70.8OMRΒ 27.26
-65.78%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Madinat As Sultan Qaboos
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.1K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.6K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$10.28OMRΒ 3.96
-61.77%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Madinat As Sultan Qaboos
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$194OMRΒ 74.7
59.42%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.2M
$9,991OMRΒ 3,847
-40.30%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Madinat As Sultan Qaboos
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 208.7K
$50.7OMRΒ 19.51
15.75%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.1K
$39.53OMRΒ 15.22
-18.16%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.1K
$80.1OMRΒ 30.84
28.11%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 385.8K
$88.4OMRΒ 34.04
22.62%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Madinat As Sultan Qaboos
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Madinat As Sultan Qaboos
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.15
160.78%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Madinat As Sultan Qaboos: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $26.00 in Madinat As Sultan Qaboos. Groceries flip the comparison at $188 vs $230, with Medellin cheaper for home cooking.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Medellin vs Madinat As Sultan Qaboos: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Madinat As Sultan Qaboos?
Madinat As Sultan Qaboos wins on cost β living expenses run 27% lower than in Medellin. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Madinat As Sultan Qaboos the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Medellin vs Madinat As Sultan Qaboos?
You'd need roughly $1,519 in Medellin and $1,194 in Madinat As Sultan Qaboos to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
Are groceries more expensive in Medellin or Madinat As Sultan Qaboos?
Shoppers in Medellin pay roughly 22% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
How much does it cost to live in Medellin compared to Madinat As Sultan Qaboos?
All in, you'll spend $1,013 per month in Medellin versus $796 in Madinat As Sultan Qaboos β a 27% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Medellin or Madinat As Sultan Qaboos?
At $796 in Madinat As Sultan Qaboos versus $1,013 in Medellin, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Madinat As Sultan Qaboos but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Madinat As Sultan Qaboos the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Madinat As Sultan Qaboos?
Both work as nomad bases, but Madinat As Sultan Qaboos delivers better value β similar infrastructure at $796 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Madinat As Sultan Qaboos hard to pass up.
How safe is Medellin compared to Madinat As Sultan Qaboos?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Madinat As Sultan Qaboos are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Madinat As Sultan Qaboos gentler on the wallet β expenses run 27% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.