πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $670 in Msaken, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,077 in Msaken, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $1,483 in Msaken, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 51% more than Msaken, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Msaken are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Msaken50% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Msaken
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$4.96TNDΒ 14.42
20.77%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$24.14TNDΒ 70.1
36.12%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$5.06TNDΒ 14.69
40.12%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$1.02TNDΒ 2.97
67.65%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$0.69TNDΒ 2.02
59.42%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.29TNDΒ 0.84
168.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$1.17TNDΒ 3.41
43.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$2.76TNDΒ 8.01
11.23%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Msaken
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$0.49TNDΒ 1.43
122.45%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$0.17TNDΒ 0.48
641.18%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$1.29TNDΒ 3.75
6.98%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$1.67TNDΒ 4.86
31.14%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$12.06TNDΒ 35.00
-63.52%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$6.33TNDΒ 18.37
-11.06%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$13.76TNDΒ 39.95
-35.39%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$2.09TNDΒ 6.06
11.96%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$3.20TNDΒ 9.30
-66.88%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$1.12TNDΒ 3.26
33.93%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$0.75TNDΒ 2.19
84.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$0.70TNDΒ 2.02
64.29%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$0.59TNDΒ 1.71
96.61%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$0.40TNDΒ 1.17
122.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.29TNDΒ 0.84
189.66%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$3.43TNDΒ 9.96
-33.53%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$5.93TNDΒ 17.23
79.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$1.15TNDΒ 3.35
4.35%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$1.33TNDΒ 3.86
85.71%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Msaken
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$0.35TNDΒ 1.03
145.71%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
$9.97TNDΒ 28.96
315.25%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$0.31TNDΒ 0.89
374.19%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$0.31TNDΒ 0.89
532.26%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$3.49TNDΒ 10.14
121.78%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$0.88TNDΒ 2.56
7.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$40.0KTNDΒ 116.1K
-54.66%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$35.9KTNDΒ 104.1K
-26.16%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Msaken
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$58.2TNDΒ 169
41.25%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$9.99TNDΒ 28.99
-4.90%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$18.91TNDΒ 54.9
28.13%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Msaken
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$23.79TNDΒ 69.1
8.83%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
$12.54TNDΒ 36.42
51.52%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$5.32TNDΒ 15.44
-26.13%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Msaken
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$106TNDΒ 308
192.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$3,137TNDΒ 9,109
90.14%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Msaken
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$41.07TNDΒ 119
42.83%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$60.7TNDΒ 176
-46.67%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$101TNDΒ 293
1.73%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$79.2TNDΒ 230
36.87%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Msaken
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$195TNDΒ 566
144.35%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$136TNDΒ 395
178.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$373TNDΒ 1,083
124.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$269TNDΒ 780
169.40%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
$987TNDΒ 2,866
182.70%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$715TNDΒ 2,076
69.44%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Msaken
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$248TNDΒ 719
106.78%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
10.96
22.54%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Msaken: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $195 in Msaken. 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 107% 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 $24.00 in Msaken. Groceries tell a different story β $188 in Medellin vs $194 in Msaken 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 Msaken: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Msaken cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 51%, and the gap shows up most in Getting Around. 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 $1,519 per month in Medellin and $1,006 in Msaken. 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 Msaken, 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 Msaken?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $670 in Msaken. 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 Msaken?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Msaken, where all-in costs run around $670, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Msaken it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Msaken more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Msaken 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 Msaken?
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 Msaken. 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.