πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $1,172 in Mersin, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,701 in Mersin, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $2,230 in Mersin, rent included.
πMedellin is about 13% cheaper than Mersin, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Medellin and Mersin are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Mersin13% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Mersin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$6.40βΊ296
-7.03%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$31.03βΊ1,435
7.41%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$7.13βΊ330
1.40%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$2.99βΊ138
-45.48%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$1.36βΊ63.0
-19.85%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.59βΊ27.14
23.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$3.72βΊ172
-53.23%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$5.04βΊ233
-35.91%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Mersin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.01βΊ46.82
3.96%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.82βΊ38.08
57.32%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$2.34βΊ108
-43.59%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.10βΊ97.0
8.10%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$13.46βΊ623
-67.68%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$5.99βΊ277
-1.84%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$21.03βΊ973
-59.06%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.28βΊ59.1
75.78%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$2.06βΊ95.1
-48.06%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$0.97βΊ44.81
56.70%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$1.57βΊ72.7
-9.55%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.01βΊ46.85
15.84%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.64βΊ29.43
82.81%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.87βΊ40.11
2.30%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.38βΊ17.64
136.84%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$2.17βΊ101
3.69%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$10.86βΊ503
1.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$2.03βΊ94.1
-43.84%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.88βΊ133
-17.36%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Mersin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.60βΊ27.71
40.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$33.93βΊ1,569
23.64%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$0.73βΊ33.72
93.15%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.65βΊ30.14
192.31%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$10.24βΊ474
-24.32%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.12βΊ51.7
-9.82%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$43.5KβΊ2.0M
-59.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$42.8KβΊ2.0M
-38.06%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Mersin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$125βΊ5,761
-32.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$9.90βΊ458
-4.55%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$13.70βΊ634
75.99%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Mersin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$30.76βΊ1,423
-17.72%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$10.12βΊ468
89.13%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$2.59βΊ120
58.30%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Mersin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$450βΊ20.8K
-30.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$5,048βΊ233.5K
18.73%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Mersin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$50.6βΊ2,341
14.70%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$64.1βΊ2,967
-49.23%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$153βΊ7,094
-35.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$50.1βΊ2,317
116.73%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Mersin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$505βΊ23.4K
-4.53%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$402βΊ18.6K
-5.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$582βΊ26.9K
43.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$618βΊ28.6K
17.05%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$1,299βΊ60.1K
118.66%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$973βΊ45.0K
25.65%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Mersin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$808βΊ37.4K
-33.09%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
32
-58.03%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Mersin: June 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $505 in Mersin. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 49% higher in Mersin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $31.00 in Mersin. Groceries tell a different story β $190 in Medellin vs $250 in Mersin β so Medellin 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 Mersin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mersin cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Mersin is pricier by about 15%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. 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 $1,525 per month in Medellin and $1,759 in Mersin. 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 Mersin?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $1,172 in Mersin. 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 Mersin?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,017, than in Mersin at $1,172. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Mersin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Mersin 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 Mersin?
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, Mersin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.