πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $958 in Manisa.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,445 in Manisa.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $1,932 in Manisa.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 6% more expensive than Manisa, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Manisa29% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Manisa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$7.67βΊ355
-22.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$19.16βΊ886
73.96%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$7.71βΊ357
-6.23%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$3.02βΊ140
-46.03%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$1.74βΊ80.6
-37.36%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.50βΊ22.99
46.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$3.22βΊ149
-45.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$3.79βΊ175
-14.78%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Manisa
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$0.87βΊ40.46
20.69%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.61βΊ28.12
111.48%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.81βΊ83.7
-27.07%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$1.85βΊ85.8
22.70%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$8.68βΊ402
-49.88%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$5.94βΊ275
-1.01%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$20.00βΊ925
-56.95%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.30βΊ60.2
73.08%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.91βΊ88.3
-43.98%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$0.99βΊ45.91
53.54%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$1.16βΊ53.5
22.41%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.75βΊ34.69
56.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.55βΊ25.60
112.73%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.79βΊ36.70
12.66%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.18βΊ8.54
400.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$2.25βΊ104
-
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$11.35βΊ525
-2.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$2.14βΊ99.2
-46.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.54βΊ117
-6.30%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Manisa
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.66βΊ30.55
27.27%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$30.10βΊ1,393
39.37%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$1.10βΊ50.9
28.18%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.64βΊ29.83
196.87%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$7.69βΊ356
0.78%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.25βΊ57.8
-19.20%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$49.7KβΊ2.3M
-64.61%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$44.9KβΊ2.1M
-40.96%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Manisa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$47.56βΊ2,200
75.95%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$5.54βΊ256
70.58%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$8.99βΊ416
168.19%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Manisa
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$42.55βΊ1,969
-40.52%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$4.42βΊ205
-7.24%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Manisa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$608βΊ28.1K
-48.72%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$8,998βΊ416.3K
-33.40%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Manisa
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$38.47βΊ1,780
50.87%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$38.65βΊ1,788
-15.76%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$87.4βΊ4,045
13.94%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$43.78βΊ2,025
147.92%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Manisa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$471βΊ21.8K
2.36%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$353βΊ16.3K
7.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$696βΊ32.2K
20.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$581βΊ26.9K
24.36%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$1,954βΊ90.4K
45.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$1,308βΊ60.5K
-6.47%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Manisa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$1,099βΊ50.9K
-50.79%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
43.79
-69.33%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Manisa: June 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $482 in Medellin and $471 in Manisa. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Manisa pays 103% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $19.00 in Manisa. Groceries flip the comparison at $190 vs $220, with Medellin cheaper for home cooking.
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 Manisa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Manisa cheaper than Medellin?
Manisa is cheaper overall, especially in Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 6% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Medellin or Manisa?
On paper, Manisa earns 103% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Medellin and Manisa?
Rent for a central apartment: $482 in Medellin versus $471 in Manisa. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or Manisa?
Dining out is cheaper in Manisa β a meal for two runs $19.00 versus $33.00 in Medellin. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Manisa?
All in, you'll spend $1,017 per month in Medellin versus $958 in Manisa β a 6% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Manisa?
At $958 in Manisa versus $1,017 in Medellin, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Manisa but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Manisa the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or Manisa more family-friendly?
For families, Manisa is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Medellin, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Manisa?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Manisa are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Manisa gentler on the wallet β expenses run 6% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.