πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $567 in Mahdia, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $865 in Mahdia, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $1,163 in Mahdia, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 79% more than Mahdia, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and Mahdia are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Mahdia58% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Mahdia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$2.57TNDΒ 7.51
131.52%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$20.61TNDΒ 60.1
61.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$3.46TNDΒ 10.09
108.96%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$0.71TNDΒ 2.07
129.58%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.62TNDΒ 1.81
75.81%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.20TNDΒ 0.57
265.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$1.03TNDΒ 3.02
68.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$1.54TNDΒ 4.50
109.74%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Mahdia
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$0.40TNDΒ 1.17
162.50%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.18TNDΒ 0.51
616.67%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.56TNDΒ 4.54
-15.38%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$1.57TNDΒ 4.57
44.59%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$11.22TNDΒ 32.74
-61.23%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$5.54TNDΒ 16.16
6.14%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$13.27TNDΒ 38.71
-35.12%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$2.22TNDΒ 6.47
1.35%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$2.90TNDΒ 8.47
-63.10%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.00TNDΒ 2.92
52.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$0.68TNDΒ 1.97
108.82%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.69TNDΒ 2.02
69.57%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.32TNDΒ 0.94
265.62%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.33TNDΒ 0.96
169.70%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.31TNDΒ 0.90
190.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$3.60TNDΒ 10.51
-37.50%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$3.42TNDΒ 9.97
222.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.10TNDΒ 3.20
3.64%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.11TNDΒ 3.23
114.41%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Mahdia
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.35TNDΒ 1.02
140.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$10.12TNDΒ 29.52
314.53%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$0.30TNDΒ 0.87
370.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.24TNDΒ 0.70
691.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$7.37TNDΒ 21.51
5.16%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$0.81TNDΒ 2.37
24.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$35.7KTNDΒ 104.1K
-50.73%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$35.2KTNDΒ 102.6K
-24.66%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Mahdia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$46.09TNDΒ 134
81.56%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$9.47TNDΒ 27.62
-0.21%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$14.63TNDΒ 42.68
64.80%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Mahdia
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$20.51TNDΒ 59.9
23.40%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$7.76TNDΒ 22.63
146.65%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$4.59TNDΒ 13.40
-10.68%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Mahdia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$109TNDΒ 318
185.84%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$1,009TNDΒ 2,945
493.74%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Mahdia
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$45.07TNDΒ 131
28.78%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$33.45TNDΒ 97.6
-2.66%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$101TNDΒ 296
-1.69%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$23.69TNDΒ 69.1
358.17%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Mahdia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$146TNDΒ 425
231.29%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$137TNDΒ 399
177.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$288TNDΒ 841
190.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$161TNDΒ 469
349.77%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$1,028TNDΒ 3,000
176.20%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$639TNDΒ 1,864
91.42%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Mahdia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$241TNDΒ 702
124.78%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
13.6
-1.25%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Mahdia: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $146 in Mahdia. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 125% higher in Medellin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $21.00 in Mahdia. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $178 β making Mahdia the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Mahdia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mahdia cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 79%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,525 per month in Medellin and $851 in Mahdia. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Mahdia, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $312 per month in Medellin and $109 in Mahdia. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Mahdia?
Groceries cost about 7% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Mahdia?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Mahdia, where all-in costs run around $567, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Mahdia it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Mahdia more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Mahdia β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Mahdia?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Mahdia. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Medellin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.