Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and MoloCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Molo
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $506 in Molo, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $861 in Molo, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $1,216 in Molo, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 104% more than Molo, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Medellin and Molo are more affordable than the global median β Medellin23% lower, Molo62% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Molo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.4K
$5.34KESΒ 690
10.86%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COPΒ 118.2K
$38.63KESΒ 4,987
-15.22%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COPΒ 26.0K
$6.88KESΒ 888
4.65%
Cappuccino
$1.70COPΒ 6,140
$2.37KESΒ 305
-28.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,966
$0.72KESΒ 92.8
52.78%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COPΒ 2,605
$0.50KESΒ 64.8
44.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COPΒ 6,022
$2.38KESΒ 307
-29.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COPΒ 11.2K
$2.84KESΒ 367
9.15%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Molo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,809
$0.86KESΒ 111
23.26%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COPΒ 4,497
$0.57KESΒ 73.4
119.30%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COPΒ 5,022
$1.57KESΒ 203
-11.46%
Eggs
$2.26COPΒ 8,168
$1.65KESΒ 212
36.97%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COPΒ 15.6K
$11.41KESΒ 1,473
-62.05%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COPΒ 21.1K
$6.82KESΒ 880
-14.37%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COPΒ 31.9K
$5.53KESΒ 714
59.67%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COPΒ 8,099
$3.04KESΒ 393
-26.32%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COPΒ 3,882
$1.04KESΒ 134
3.85%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COPΒ 5,522
$2.18KESΒ 281
-29.82%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,950
$1.05KESΒ 136
30.48%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COPΒ 4,078
$1.02KESΒ 132
10.78%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COPΒ 4,036
$1.17KESΒ 152
-4.27%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COPΒ 3,057
$0.68KESΒ 88.2
25.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COPΒ 3,281
$0.82KESΒ 106
10.98%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COPΒ 8,414
$3.16KESΒ 408
-26.27%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COPΒ 40.2K
$11.54KESΒ 1,489
-3.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COPΒ 4,309
$2.27KESΒ 293
-47.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COPΒ 8,553
$2.78KESΒ 359
-14.75%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Molo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,838
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COPΒ 148.5K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,184
$1.53KESΒ 198
-5.88%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COPΒ 6,901
$1.57KESΒ 203
21.66%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COPΒ 28.9K
$2.95KESΒ 381
171.86%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COPΒ 3,385
$1.53KESΒ 198
-38.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOPΒ 64.7M
$21.6KKESΒ 2.8M
-17.19%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOPΒ 96.7M
$19.7KKESΒ 2.5M
35.66%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Molo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COPΒ 303.1K
$33.79KESΒ 4,361
148.48%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COPΒ 34.7K
$17.03KESΒ 2,198
-43.63%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COPΒ 87.2K
$38.64KESΒ 4,987
-37.47%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Molo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COPΒ 93.4K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COPΒ 68.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COPΒ 14.1K
$6.21KESΒ 801
-36.88%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Molo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COPΒ 1.1M
$202KESΒ 26.1K
51.38%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COPΒ 21.4M
$7,979KESΒ 1.0M
-25.82%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Molo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COPΒ 209.1K
$18.34KESΒ 2,368
215.76%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COPΒ 114.9K
$23.57KESΒ 3,042
35.00%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COPΒ 360.6K
$66.1KESΒ 8,529
51.18%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COPΒ 386.8K
$56.5KESΒ 7,288
89.76%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Molo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COPΒ 1.8M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COPΒ 1.3M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COPΒ 3.0M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COPΒ 2.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COPΒ 10.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COPΒ 5.1M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Molo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COPΒ 2.0M
$388KESΒ 50.1K
40.56%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
14.84
-9.50%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026
Last update for Molo: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π°Salaries run about 41% higher in Medellin, 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 $39.00 in Molo. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $205 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 Molo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Molo cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 104%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. 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 $1,550 per month in Medellin and $759 in Molo. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Interestingly, groceries are about 8% cheaper in Medellin β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Molo?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Molo, where all-in costs run around $506, than in Medellin at $1,034. In Molo it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Molo more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Molo β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Molo. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Medellin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.