πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $1,706 in MΓΆlndal, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $2,617 in MΓΆlndal, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $3,527 in MΓΆlndal, rent included.
πMedellin is about 40% cheaper than MΓΆlndal, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πMedellin sits 24% below the global median, while MΓΆlndal is 27% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
MΓΆlndal
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$12.87SEKΒ 121
-53.77%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$74.6SEKΒ 700
-55.35%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$10.68SEKΒ 100
-32.30%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$4.83SEKΒ 45.31
-66.25%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$3.09SEKΒ 28.99
-64.72%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$1.03SEKΒ 9.68
-29.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$7.52SEKΒ 70.5
-76.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$6.27SEKΒ 58.8
-48.48%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
MΓΆlndal
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.20SEKΒ 11.23
-12.50%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$1.57SEKΒ 14.70
-17.83%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$3.34SEKΒ 31.29
-60.48%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$3.76SEKΒ 35.27
-39.63%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$7.13SEKΒ 66.9
-38.99%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$9.28SEKΒ 87.1
-36.64%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$15.70SEKΒ 147
-45.16%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$3.09SEKΒ 28.99
-27.18%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$2.64SEKΒ 24.74
-59.47%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$2.89SEKΒ 27.12
-47.40%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$4.20SEKΒ 39.38
-66.19%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.71SEKΒ 16.03
-31.58%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$1.93SEKΒ 18.06
-39.38%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$2.00SEKΒ 18.74
-55.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$1.27SEKΒ 11.93
-29.13%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$7.39SEKΒ 69.3
-69.55%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$10.60SEKΒ 99.4
4.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$2.14SEKΒ 20.04
-46.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.60SEKΒ 24.34
-8.46%
π Getting Around
Medellin
MΓΆlndal
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$3.86SEKΒ 36.20
-78.24%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$88.9SEKΒ 834
-52.82%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$6.41SEKΒ 60.1
-78.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$1.59SEKΒ 14.95
19.50%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$61.8SEKΒ 579
-87.45%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.97SEKΒ 18.44
-48.73%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$32.0KSEKΒ 299.8K
-45.00%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$35.1KSEKΒ 328.9K
-24.43%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
MΓΆlndal
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$76.0SEKΒ 713
10.16%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$10.58SEKΒ 99.2
-10.68%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$21.01SEKΒ 197
14.75%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
MΓΆlndal
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$36.97SEKΒ 347
-31.54%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$30.32SEKΒ 284
-36.87%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$18.13SEKΒ 170
-77.39%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
MΓΆlndal
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$172SEKΒ 1,616
81.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$4,086SEKΒ 38.3K
46.67%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
MΓΆlndal
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$89.3SEKΒ 838
-35.03%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$39.76SEKΒ 373
-18.11%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$74.9SEKΒ 703
32.97%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$153SEKΒ 1,437
-29.14%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
MΓΆlndal
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$850SEKΒ 7,976
-43.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$650SEKΒ 6,096
-41.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$1,393SEKΒ 13.1K
-39.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$1,093SEKΒ 10.3K
-33.83%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$4,290SEKΒ 40.2K
-33.80%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$3,005SEKΒ 28.2K
-59.30%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
MΓΆlndal
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4.33
210.16%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for MΓΆlndal: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $850 in MΓΆlndal. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $75.0 in MΓΆlndal. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $304 β making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 MΓΆlndal: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is MΓΆlndal cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β MΓΆlndal is pricier by about 68%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. 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 $2,560 in MΓΆlndal. 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 MΓΆlndal?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $1,706 in MΓΆlndal. 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 MΓΆlndal?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,017, than in MΓΆlndal at $1,706. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in MΓΆlndal it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or MΓΆlndal 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 MΓΆlndal?
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, MΓΆlndal makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.