πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $1,201 in Mangaf, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $2,104 in Mangaf, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $3,008 in Mangaf, rent included.
πMedellin is about 16% cheaper than Mangaf, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
πBoth Medellin and Mangaf are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Mangaf10% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Mangaf
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$6.36KWDΒ 1.96
-5.82%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.2K
$39.12KWDΒ 12.08
-16.00%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$9.15KWDΒ 2.83
-22.51%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.46KWDΒ 0.76
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.57KWDΒ 1.10
-
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,105
$5.32KWDΒ 1.64
-67.86%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,918
$0.31KWDΒ 0.10
254.84%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,776
$0.34KWDΒ 0.11
129.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,987
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
-
-
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Mangaf
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,899
$1.60KWDΒ 0.49
-31.87%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,500
$1.28KWDΒ 0.40
-1.56%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,914
$1.72KWDΒ 0.53
-19.77%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,813
$2.10KWDΒ 0.65
4.29%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$5.08KWDΒ 1.57
-13.39%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$6.39KWDΒ 1.97
-11.89%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.7K
$10.42KWDΒ 3.22
-14.68%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,334
$2.42KWDΒ 0.75
-3.31%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,771
$1.96KWDΒ 0.61
-45.92%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,365
$1.75KWDΒ 0.54
-14.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,915
$1.45KWDΒ 0.45
-4.83%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,104
$1.26KWDΒ 0.39
-8.73%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,148
$1.27KWDΒ 0.39
-8.66%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,176
$1.60KWDΒ 0.49
-44.38%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,992
$0.46KWDΒ 0.14
82.61%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$3.28KWDΒ 1.01
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.00KWDΒ 0.31
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.34KWDΒ 0.41
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,131
$3.02KWDΒ 0.93
-24.50%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,276
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,809
-
-
π Getting Around
Medellin
Mangaf
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,051
$0.85KWDΒ 0.26
1.18%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.6K
$44.85KWDΒ 13.85
-7.69%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,255
$3.36KWDΒ 1.04
-56.25%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,997
$2.46KWDΒ 0.76
-20.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$11.45KWDΒ 3.54
-32.40%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,403
$0.35KWDΒ 0.11
171.43%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.6M
$21.4KKWDΒ 6,616
-15.37%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.4M
$19.9KKWDΒ 6,147
33.06%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Mangaf
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.2K
$62.6KWDΒ 19.34
31.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$18.77KWDΒ 5.80
-49.39%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.4K
$26.04KWDΒ 8.04
-6.95%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Mangaf
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.3K
$93.2KWDΒ 28.77
-72.21%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.7K
$46.99KWDΒ 14.51
-59.57%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$11.28KWDΒ 3.48
-65.16%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Mangaf
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$397KWDΒ 123
-22.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$6,707KWDΒ 2,071
-11.06%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Mangaf
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.1K
$41.99KWDΒ 12.97
39.70%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.3K
$42.72KWDΒ 13.19
-24.27%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.7K
$88.9KWDΒ 27.44
15.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 386.5K
$80.3KWDΒ 24.79
35.10%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Mangaf
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$590KWDΒ 182
-19.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$470KWDΒ 145
-19.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$1,549KWDΒ 478
-45.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$1,281KWDΒ 396
-43.49%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Mangaf
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4.5
198.44%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Mangaf: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $590 in Mangaf. 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 $39.00 in Mangaf. Groceries tell a different story β $188 in Medellin vs $179 in Mangaf β so Mangaf wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Mangaf: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mangaf cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Mangaf is pricier by about 19%, and the gap shows up most in Sport & Entertainment. 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 $1,519 per month in Medellin and $1,801 in Mangaf. 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 Medellin, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Mangaf?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $1,201 in Mangaf. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Mangaf?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,013, than in Mangaf at $1,201. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Mangaf it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Mangaf more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Medellin 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 Mangaf?
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 Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Mangaf makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.