πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $928 in Mahebourg, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,536 in Mahebourg, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $2,144 in Mahebourg, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 10% more than Mahebourg, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Mahebourg are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Mahebourg31% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Mahebourg
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$5.28MURΒ 249
12.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$44.22MURΒ 2,083
-24.63%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$6.18MURΒ 291
16.99%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$2.66MURΒ 125
-38.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$1.04MURΒ 48.76
4.81%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.60MURΒ 28.18
21.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$2.24MURΒ 105
-22.32%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$3.21MURΒ 151
0.62%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Mahebourg
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.03MURΒ 48.34
1.94%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.45MURΒ 21.29
186.67%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.29MURΒ 60.6
2.33%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$1.75MURΒ 82.3
29.71%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$5.70MURΒ 269
-23.68%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$6.21MURΒ 292
-5.31%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$12.67MURΒ 597
-32.04%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.70MURΒ 79.8
32.35%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.94MURΒ 91.6
-44.85%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.48MURΒ 69.7
2.70%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$2.64MURΒ 124
-46.21%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.99MURΒ 46.60
18.18%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$1.01MURΒ 47.39
15.84%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.80MURΒ 37.72
11.25%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.51MURΒ 23.93
76.47%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$6.67MURΒ 314
-66.27%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$8.48MURΒ 399
30.19%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.36MURΒ 63.9
-16.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.68MURΒ 79.2
41.67%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Mahebourg
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.97MURΒ 45.73
-13.40%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$4.49MURΒ 211
-68.60%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$2.75MURΒ 129
-30.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$19.88MURΒ 936
-61.02%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.45MURΒ 68.5
-30.34%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$36.0KMURΒ 1.7M
-51.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$29.2KMURΒ 1.4M
-9.31%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Mahebourg
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$43.14MURΒ 2,032
93.97%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$18.29MURΒ 861
-48.33%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$33.06MURΒ 1,557
-27.07%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Mahebourg
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$38.89MURΒ 1,831
-34.92%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$5.58MURΒ 263
-26.52%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Mahebourg
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$156MURΒ 7,352
99.81%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$3,975MURΒ 187.2K
50.76%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Mahebourg
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$67.1MURΒ 3,158
-13.45%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$44.54MURΒ 2,097
-26.90%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$77.5MURΒ 3,648
28.58%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$72.2MURΒ 3,400
50.31%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Mahebourg
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$520MURΒ 24.5K
-7.31%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$352MURΒ 16.6K
7.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$960MURΒ 45.2K
-12.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$724MURΒ 34.1K
-0.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Mahebourg
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.67
101.35%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Mahebourg: June 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $520 in Mahebourg. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $44.00 in Mahebourg. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $194 β making Medellin 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 Mahebourg: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and Mahebourg compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,017 in Medellin, $928 in Mahebourg β roughly 10% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Mahebourg?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,525 per month in Medellin and $1,391 in Mahebourg. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and Mahebourg?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Mahebourg, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Mahebourg?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $928 in Mahebourg. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Medellin and Mahebourg?
Kindergarten costs $312 per month in Medellin and $156 in Mahebourg. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Mahebourg, where all-in costs run around $928, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Mahebourg it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Mahebourg?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $928 in Mahebourg to $1,017 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Medellin or Mahebourg safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Medellin and Mahebourg?
If budget matters most, go with Mahebourg. 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.