Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Magelang

For one person, living is cheaper in Magelang: $522 a month against $1,639 in Medellin, rent and utilities included – about $13,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Medellin, Colombia
Magelang, Indonesia
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,639
/mo nomad
Magelang
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$522
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Magelang

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Medellin and in Magelang actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,639 per month in Medellin vs $522 in Magelang, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,639
  • Magelang $522

A couple spends around $2,413 per month in Medellin vs $829 in Magelang, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,413
  • Magelang $829

A family of three spends $3,186 per month in Medellin vs $1,136 in Magelang, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,186
  • Magelang $1,136

Medellin costs about 214% more than Magelang, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Medellin sits 20% above the global median, while Magelang is 62% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Magelang
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.09 COP 26.1K
$1.41 Rp 25.5K
473.76%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.05 COP 151.7K
$8.48 Rp 153.7K
454.83%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.50 COP 30.6K
$2.54 Rp 46.1K
274.02%
Cappuccino
$3.01 COP 9,722
$0.74 Rp 13.3K
306.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80 COP 5,801
$0.32 Rp 5,741
462.50%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.41 COP 4,554
$0.17 Rp 3,094
729.41%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.18 COP 10.2K
$1.30 Rp 23.6K
144.62%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.75 COP 18.5K
$2.65 Rp 48.0K
116.98%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Magelang
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.51 COP 4,869
$1.03 Rp 18.7K
46.60%
White Bread (500g)
$2.38 COP 7,667
$1.13 Rp 20.5K
110.62%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.77 COP 5,712
$0.75 Rp 13.5K
136.00%
Eggs
$2.89 COP 9,320
$1.18 Rp 21.3K
144.92%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.19 COP 32.9K
$6.45 Rp 116.9K
57.98%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.87 COP 31.8K
$2.26 Rp 40.9K
336.73%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.99 COP 45.1K
$6.95 Rp 125.9K
101.29%
Apples (1kg)
$3.97 COP 12.8K
$2.03 Rp 36.7K
95.57%
Banana (1kg)
$1.55 COP 5,005
$1.11 Rp 20.2K
39.64%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.18 COP 7,039
$1.24 Rp 22.5K
75.81%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.18 COP 7,041
$0.86 Rp 15.6K
153.49%
Potato (1kg)
$1.96 COP 6,328
$1.00 Rp 18.2K
96.00%
Onion (1kg)
$1.59 COP 5,125
$1.34 Rp 24.2K
18.66%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.15 COP 3,694
$0.80 Rp 14.4K
43.75%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24 COP 4,009
$0.36 Rp 6,469
244.44%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.96 COP 12.8K
$1.92 Rp 34.8K
106.25%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.68 COP 44.1K
$16.50 Rp 299.0K
-17.09%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.66 COP 5,352
$1.53 Rp 27.7K
8.50%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26 COP 7,281
$2.12 Rp 38.4K
6.60%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Magelang
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.17 COP 3,766
$0.29 Rp 5,317
303.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$77.4 COP 249.5K
$11.28 Rp 204.5K
585.90%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.27 COP 4,089
$0.43 Rp 7,744
195.35%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.05 COP 6,603
$0.32 Rp 5,779
540.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.55 COP 27.6K
$2.18 Rp 39.5K
292.20%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 COP 4,343
$0.73 Rp 13.2K
84.93%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.1K COP 109.8M
$25.4K Rp 459.9M
34.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7K COP 111.8M
$28.0K Rp 507.0M
23.91%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Magelang
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$170 COP 547.0K
$46.08 Rp 834.9K
268.16%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.55 COP 43.7K
$3.96 Rp 71.8K
242.17%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.07 COP 90.5K
$19.56 Rp 354.4K
43.51%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Magelang
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.70 COP 140.9K
$13.49 Rp 244.4K
223.94%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.19 COP 55.4K
$3.64 Rp 65.9K
372.25%
Cinema Ticket
$6.91 COP 22.3K
$2.54 Rp 46.1K
172.05%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Magelang
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$797 COP 2.6M
$43.82 Rp 794.0K
1717.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,112 COP 29.4M
$3,925 Rp 71.1M
132.15%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Magelang
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$84.7 COP 273.2K
$19.01 Rp 344.5K
345.66%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.0 COP 186.9K
$19.05 Rp 345.2K
204.25%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$135 COP 435.2K
$57.2 Rp 1.0M
135.78%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$97.9 COP 315.6K
$51.7 Rp 936.0K
89.45%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Magelang
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,208 COP 3.9M
$226 Rp 4.1M
433.78%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$642 COP 2.1M
$146 Rp 2.7M
338.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,028 COP 6.5M
$561 Rp 10.2M
261.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,012 COP 3.3M
$361 Rp 6.5M
180.20%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,170 COP 13.4M
$1,159 Rp 21.0M
259.84%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,910 COP 6.2M
$800 Rp 14.5M
138.73%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Magelang
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$657 COP 2.1M
$170 Rp 3.1M
286.46%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
7.5
45.87%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Medellin: October 25, 2026

Last update for Magelang: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$642
Magelang
$146 77.2% $495
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$297
Magelang
$165 44.5% $132
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$211
Magelang
$70 67.1% $142
Eating Out
Medellin
$170
Magelang
$41 75.5% $128
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$169
Magelang
$66 60.9% $103
Getting Around
Medellin
$94
Magelang
$14 84.5% $79
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$58
Magelang
$19 67.7% $39

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,208 in Medellin versus $226 in Magelang. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Medellin are about 3.9 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin versus $8 in Magelang. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $297 vs $165 – making Magelang the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇮🇩 Magelang
🕒 Local time
19:06 7:06 PM
07:06 7:06 AM
12 h ahead of Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
118,227
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

IDR, USD, EUR to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 3,224 COP (10,000 COP = 3.1 USD). 1 EUR = 3,600 COP (10,000 COP = 2.78 EUR).

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 18,120 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.52 USD). 1 EUR = 20,232 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.94 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Magelang 19,360 km ≈ 25 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Magelang

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Magelang: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and in Magelang compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,639 in Medellin, $522 in Magelang – Magelang comes out roughly 68% cheaper. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Magelang?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,459 per month in Medellin and $782 in Magelang. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and Magelang?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Magelang, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $226 there versus $1,208 in Medellin.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 80% more in Medellin, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin and $8 in Magelang. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $1,200 per month?
A $1,200 monthly budget goes further in Magelang, where all-in costs run around $522, than in Medellin at $1,639. In Magelang it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Where should families live: Medellin or Magelang?
Families tend to lean toward Magelang – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How do I decide between Medellin and Magelang?
If budget matters most, go with Magelang. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Medellin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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