πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,013 in Medellin versus $775 in Martil.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,235 in Martil.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,192 in Medellin versus $1,696 in Martil.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 31% more expensive than Martil, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Martil42% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Martil
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.3K
$2.67MADΒ 24.60
124.34%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 116.9K
$27.64MADΒ 255
18.89%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.2K
$6.63MADΒ 61.1
6.94%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,093
$1.97MADΒ 18.14
-13.20%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,910
$0.42MADΒ 3.90
161.90%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,771
$0.40MADΒ 3.66
95.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,976
$5.50MADΒ 50.6
-69.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$4.12MADΒ 37.96
-25.49%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Martil
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,892
$0.83MADΒ 7.66
31.33%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,492
$0.51MADΒ 4.66
147.06%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,905
$1.96MADΒ 18.04
-29.59%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,799
$1.95MADΒ 18.00
12.31%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$13.19MADΒ 121
-66.64%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.0K
$7.17MADΒ 66.1
-21.48%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.6K
$11.74MADΒ 108
-24.28%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,319
$1.61MADΒ 14.81
45.34%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,764
$1.23MADΒ 11.28
-13.82%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,355
$0.78MADΒ 7.17
92.31%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,906
$0.81MADΒ 7.45
70.37%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,097
$0.67MADΒ 6.16
71.64%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,141
$0.66MADΒ 6.10
75.76%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,170
$0.39MADΒ 3.63
128.21%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,986
$0.59MADΒ 5.48
42.37%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,116
$4.28MADΒ 39.42
-46.73%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$8.11MADΒ 74.7
31.20%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,268
$2.63MADΒ 24.19
-54.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,793
$2.47MADΒ 22.70
-
π Getting Around
Medellin
Martil
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,045
$0.50MADΒ 4.65
72.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.3K
$16.34MADΒ 150
153.37%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,245
$0.53MADΒ 4.91
177.36%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,984
$0.88MADΒ 8.12
122.73%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.5K
$4.43MADΒ 40.82
74.72%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,397
$1.59MADΒ 14.64
-40.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.5M
$36.7KMADΒ 338.3K
-50.64%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.2M
$29.7KMADΒ 273.4K
-10.78%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Martil
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 292.7K
$41.62MADΒ 383
97.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.8K
$10.91MADΒ 100
-12.92%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.2K
$39.44MADΒ 363
-38.56%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Martil
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.1K
$24.01MADΒ 221
7.83%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.6K
$23.25MADΒ 214
-18.28%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$6.70MADΒ 61.8
-41.34%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Martil
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$160MADΒ 1,473
93.51%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.2M
$6,471MADΒ 59.6K
-7.82%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Martil
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 208.7K
$54.2MADΒ 499
8.23%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.1K
$49.09MADΒ 452
-34.10%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.1K
$109MADΒ 1,004
-5.88%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 385.8K
$97.8MADΒ 901
10.88%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Martil
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$280MADΒ 2,575
70.31%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$176MADΒ 1,618
115.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$509MADΒ 4,691
64.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$305MADΒ 2,810
137.28%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
$1,591MADΒ 14.6K
75.43%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$951MADΒ 8,761
27.34%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Martil
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4.81
179.21%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Martil: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $476 in Medellin and $280 in Martil. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $28.00 in Martil. Groceries flip the comparison at $188 vs $209, 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 Martil: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Martil?
Martil wins on cost β living expenses run 31% lower than in Medellin. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Martil the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Medellin vs Martil?
You'd need roughly $1,519 in Medellin and $1,162 in Martil to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Medellin vs Martil?
Rent for a central apartment: $476 in Medellin versus $280 in Martil. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Medellin vs Martil?
A monthly transit pass in Martil runs roughly 153% less than in Medellin. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Medellin and Martil?
Childcare runs $309 in Medellin versus $160 in Martil. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Medellin or Martil?
At $775 in Martil versus $1,013 in Medellin, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Martil but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Martil the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Martil?
Both work as nomad bases, but Martil delivers better value β similar infrastructure at $775 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Martil hard to pass up.
How safe is Medellin compared to Martil?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Martil 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Martil gentler on the wallet β expenses run 31% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.