😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,003 in Medellin versus $226 in Matrah.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,573 in Medellin versus $367 in Matrah.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,143 in Medellin versus $508 in Matrah.
🌍Living in Medellin is roughly 343% more expensive than in Matrah, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Medellin25% lower, Matrah83% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Matrah
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.91COP 18.9K
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.96COP 105.2K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.43COP 23.7K
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.65COP 5,276
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,514
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COP 2,491
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,484
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COP 10.1K
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Matrah
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10COP 3,521
$2.54OMR 0.98
-56.69%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COP 4,015
$1.02OMR 0.39
23.53%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,407
$2.64OMR 1.02
-47.73%
Eggs
$2.18COP 6,950
$4.73OMR 1.82
-53.91%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.49COP 14.3K
$5.08OMR 1.96
-11.61%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.79COP 18.5K
$5.35OMR 2.06
8.22%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COP 28.6K
$7.59OMR 2.92
18.18%
Apples(1kg)
$2.32COP 7,405
$1.29OMR 0.50
79.84%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COP 3,397
$1.74OMR 0.67
-39.08%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COP 4,838
$2.29OMR 0.88
-33.62%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COP 4,327
$1.23OMR 0.47
10.57%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,599
$1.11OMR 0.43
1.80%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,738
$1.08OMR 0.41
8.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90COP 2,876
$0.51OMR 0.19
76.47%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COP 2,861
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.23COP 7,128
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$12.12COP 38.7K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 3,793
$4.21OMR 1.62
-71.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COP 7,920
$15.90OMR 6.12
-84.40%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Matrah
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.85COP 2,723
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.62COP 132.8K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COP 4,518
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.95COP 6,223
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.89COP 25.2K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,160
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOP 56.2M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 85.5M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Matrah
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.0COP 264.9K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.70COP 30.9K
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.52COP 75.0K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Matrah
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.26COP 80.6K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.10COP 60.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.95COP 12.6K
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Matrah
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$316COP 1.0M
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,975COP 19.1M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Matrah
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0COP 191.4K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 101.5K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102COP 324.4K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 342.8K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Matrah
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$475COP 1.5M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$374COP 1.2M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$849COP 2.7M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$719COP 2.3M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,265COP 10.4M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,441COP 4.6M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Matrah
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$624COP 2.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Last update for Matrah: July 27, 2026
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 Matrah: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Matrah?
Matrah wins on cost – living expenses run 343% lower than in Medellin. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Matrah the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Medellin and in Matrah?
You'd need roughly $1,504 in Medellin and $340 in Matrah 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.
Are groceries more expensive in Medellin or in Matrah?
Shoppers in Medellin pay roughly 15% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
How much does it cost to live in Medellin compared to Matrah?
All in, you'll spend $1,003 per month in Medellin versus $226 in Matrah – a 343% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Medellin or in Matrah?
At $226 in Matrah versus $1,003 in Medellin, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Matrah but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Matrah the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Matrah?
Both work as nomad bases, but Matrah delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $226 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Matrah hard to pass up.
How safe is Medellin compared to Matrah?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Matrah 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 Matrah gentler on the wallet – expenses run 343% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.