Last update: Oct 2026
Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Malaysia
For one person, living is cheaper in Malaysia: $908 a month against $1,589 in Medellin, rent and utilities included – about $8,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.
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Medellin Living Index77Cost of Living Index in MedellinLearn more -
Malaysia Living Index44Cost of Living Index in MalaysiaLearn more
😐 Solo nomad: Medellin is 40.7% more expensive than Malaysia without rent, and 75% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Medellin is 47.5% more expensive than Malaysia without rent, and 71.4% more expensive with rent.
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Malaysia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.01 COP 25.5K
$3.68 MYR 15.03
117.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.55 COP 148.3K
$19.24 MYR 78.5
141.94%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.43 COP 30.1K
$4.82 MYR 19.69
95.64%
Cappuccino
$2.91 COP 9,277
$2.87 MYR 11.70
1.39%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 COP 5,585
$0.81 MYR 3.30
116.05%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.32 COP 4,218
$0.41 MYR 1.67
221.95%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.13 COP 9,969
$3.75 MYR 15.32
-16.53%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.55 COP 17.7K
$4.76 MYR 19.45
16.60%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Malaysia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.41 COP 4,495
$1.90 MYR 7.74
-25.79%
White Bread (500g)
$2.44 COP 7,777
$1.06 MYR 4.32
130.19%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.63 COP 5,191
$1.48 MYR 6.05
10.14%
Eggs
$2.82 COP 8,990
$2.16 MYR 8.83
30.56%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.69 COP 30.9K
$13.27 MYR 54.2
-26.98%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.32 COP 29.7K
$4.07 MYR 16.60
128.99%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.46 COP 42.9K
$8.71 MYR 35.56
54.54%
Apples (1kg)
$4.00 COP 12.8K
$3.04 MYR 12.40
31.58%
Banana (1kg)
$1.48 COP 4,719
$1.66 MYR 6.80
-10.84%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.12 COP 6,768
$2.59 MYR 10.59
-18.15%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.25 COP 7,178
$1.58 MYR 6.46
42.41%
Potato (1kg)
$1.91 COP 6,092
$1.22 MYR 4.99
56.56%
Onion (1kg)
$1.62 COP 5,160
$1.28 MYR 5.23
26.56%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.15 COP 3,658
$1.17 MYR 4.77
-1.71%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.26 COP 4,021
$0.56 MYR 2.27
125.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.82 COP 12.2K
$4.51 MYR 18.41
-15.30%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.11 COP 41.8K
$19.23 MYR 78.5
-31.83%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.60 COP 5,083
$2.97 MYR 12.13
-46.13%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26 COP 7,188
$4.04 MYR 16.51
-44.06%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Malaysia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.17 COP 3,731
$0.72 MYR 2.94
62.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$75.0 COP 239.0K
$12.43 MYR 50.8
503.54%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.27 COP 4,056
$1.19 MYR 4.86
6.72%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.05 COP 6,531
$0.95 MYR 3.88
115.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.20 COP 26.1K
$6.10 MYR 24.92
34.43%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.27 COP 4,046
$0.66 MYR 2.69
92.42%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.8K COP 85.3M
$41.1K MYR 167.7K
-34.79%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.4K COP 109.6M
$34.5K MYR 141.0K
-0.34%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Malaysia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$162 COP 516.9K
$55.4 MYR 226
193.06%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.12 COP 41.8K
$10.14 MYR 41.40
29.39%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.09 COP 89.5K
$27.39 MYR 112
2.56%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Malaysia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$44.33 COP 141.2K
$37.46 MYR 153
18.34%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.33 COP 52.0K
$7.20 MYR 29.39
126.81%
Cinema Ticket
$6.09 COP 19.4K
$5.01 MYR 20.44
21.56%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Malaysia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$764 COP 2.4M
$191 MYR 778
301.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,904 COP 28.4M
$8,217 MYR 33.5K
8.37%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Malaysia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$85.0 COP 270.8K
$63.2 MYR 258
34.42%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$57.5 COP 183.2K
$33.41 MYR 136
72.07%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$132 COP 419.8K
$80.0 MYR 327
64.66%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$95.8 COP 305.1K
$71.9 MYR 294
33.19%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Malaysia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,028 COP 3.3M
$401 MYR 1,636
156.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$604 COP 1.9M
$272 MYR 1,112
121.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,802 COP 5.7M
$705 MYR 2,880
155.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$993 COP 3.2M
$467 MYR 1,909
112.32%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,921 COP 12.5M
$2,042 MYR 8,337
92.01%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,639 COP 5.2M
$1,181 MYR 4,822
38.76%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Malaysia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$626 COP 2.0M
$917 MYR 3,745
-31.74%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
4.23
158.63%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: October 6, 2026
Last update for Malaysia: October 4, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin $604 38.3%
Malaysia $272 29.9% 54.9% $332
Groceries & Markets
Medellin $288 18.3%
Malaysia $253 27.8% 12.4% $36
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin $203 12.9%
Malaysia $93 10.2% 54.3% $111
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin $166 10.6%
Malaysia $112 12.3% 32.8% $55
Eating Out
Medellin $166 10.6%
Malaysia $111 12.3% 33% $55
Getting Around
Medellin $91 5.8%
Malaysia $21 2.3% 76.7% $70
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin $57 3.6%
Malaysia $47 5.2% 16% $9
Accommodation & Living
Medellin $993 31.9%
Malaysia $467 25.5% 52.9% $525
Groceries & Markets
Medellin $664 21.3%
Malaysia $559 30.5% 15.8% $105
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin $217 7%
Malaysia $103 5.6% 52.4% $114
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin $370 11.9%
Malaysia $249 13.5% 32.8% $121
Eating Out
Medellin $560 18%
Malaysia $312 17% 44.3% $248
Getting Around
Medellin $185 5.9%
Malaysia $44 2.4% 76.2% $141
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin $129 4.2%
Malaysia $102 5.6% 21% $27
Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇲🇾 Malaysia
Weather
Population
2,486,723
32,447,385
Exchange rates and currency converter
On the map
Lowest
Highest
Between locations
- Medellin Malaysia 18,930 km ≈ 24 h nonstop flight
From you
- Medellin
- Malaysia
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 other spots: cost of living compared
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,589
/mo nomad
Lisbon
🇵🇹 Portugal
$2,203
/mo nomad
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,589
/mo nomad
Mexico City
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,561
/mo nomad
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,589
/mo nomad
Johannesburg
🇿🇦 South Africa
$1,406
/mo nomad
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,589
/mo nomad
Bogota
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,310
/mo nomad
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