πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,034 in Medellin versus $968 in Manisa.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,577 in Medellin versus $1,461 in Manisa.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,120 in Medellin versus $1,955 in Manisa.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 7% more expensive than Manisa, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin23% lower, Manisa28% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Manisa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.4K
$7.56βΊ341
-21.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COPΒ 118.2K
$19.16βΊ865
70.93%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COPΒ 26.0K
$7.75βΊ350
-7.10%
Cappuccino
$1.70COPΒ 6,140
$2.97βΊ134
-42.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,966
$1.73βΊ78.0
-36.42%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COPΒ 2,605
$0.49βΊ22.30
46.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COPΒ 6,022
$3.10βΊ140
-46.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COPΒ 11.2K
$3.77βΊ170
-17.77%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Manisa
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,809
$0.95βΊ42.80
11.58%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COPΒ 4,497
$0.66βΊ29.83
89.39%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COPΒ 5,022
$1.79βΊ81.0
-22.35%
Eggs
$2.26COPΒ 8,168
$1.88βΊ85.1
20.21%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COPΒ 15.6K
$8.71βΊ393
-50.29%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COPΒ 21.1K
$5.94βΊ268
-1.68%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COPΒ 31.9K
$20.00βΊ903
-55.85%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COPΒ 8,099
$1.25βΊ56.3
79.20%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COPΒ 3,882
$1.85βΊ83.4
-41.62%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COPΒ 5,522
$0.97βΊ43.78
57.73%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,950
$1.16βΊ52.2
18.10%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COPΒ 4,078
$0.70βΊ31.82
61.43%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COPΒ 4,036
$0.60βΊ27.00
86.67%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COPΒ 3,057
$0.79βΊ35.69
7.59%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COPΒ 3,281
$0.20βΊ9.02
355.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COPΒ 8,414
$2.27βΊ103
2.64%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COPΒ 40.2K
$11.72βΊ529
-5.03%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COPΒ 4,309
$2.03βΊ91.7
-41.38%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COPΒ 8,553
$2.63βΊ119
-9.89%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Manisa
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,838
$0.63βΊ28.48
25.40%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COPΒ 148.5K
$30.87βΊ1,393
33.24%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,184
$1.04βΊ47.13
38.46%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COPΒ 6,901
$0.62βΊ27.97
208.06%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COPΒ 28.9K
$7.80βΊ352
2.82%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COPΒ 3,385
$1.24βΊ56.0
-24.19%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOPΒ 64.7M
$48.6KβΊ2.2M
-63.14%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOPΒ 96.7M
$44.0KβΊ2.0M
-39.15%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Manisa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COPΒ 303.1K
$47.48βΊ2,143
76.83%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COPΒ 34.7K
$5.58βΊ252
72.04%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COPΒ 87.2K
$9.02βΊ407
167.85%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Manisa
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COPΒ 93.4K
$43.85βΊ1,979
-40.98%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COPΒ 68.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COPΒ 14.1K
$4.55βΊ205
-13.85%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Manisa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COPΒ 1.1M
$602βΊ27.2K
-49.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COPΒ 21.4M
$8,827βΊ398.4K
-32.95%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Manisa
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COPΒ 209.1K
$37.46βΊ1,691
54.59%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COPΒ 114.9K
$39.76βΊ1,795
-19.97%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COPΒ 360.6K
$84.7βΊ3,823
17.96%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COPΒ 386.8K
$43.87βΊ1,980
144.22%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Manisa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COPΒ 1.8M
$484βΊ21.8K
0.59%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COPΒ 1.3M
$344βΊ15.5K
6.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COPΒ 3.0M
$704βΊ31.8K
17.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COPΒ 2.6M
$561βΊ25.3K
27.68%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COPΒ 10.6M
$1,989βΊ89.8K
47.04%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COPΒ 5.1M
$1,326βΊ59.9K
6.08%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Manisa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COPΒ 2.0M
$1,150βΊ51.9K
-52.57%
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: April 27, 2026
Last update for Manisa: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $487 in Medellin and $484 in Manisa. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Manisa pays 111% 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 $221, 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 7% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Medellin or Manisa?
On paper, Manisa earns 111% 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: $487 in Medellin versus $484 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 $1,034 per month in Medellin versus $968 in Manisa β a 7% 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 $968 in Manisa versus $1,034 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 7% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.