Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and NadiCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Nadi
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $1,062 in Nadi, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,686 in Nadi, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $2,309 in Nadi, rent included.
πMedellin is about 5% cheaper than Nadi, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Nadi are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Nadi21% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Nadi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$4.03FJDΒ 8.83
48.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.2K
$26.59FJDΒ 58.2
23.58%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$8.16FJDΒ 17.87
-13.11%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,105
$3.44FJDΒ 7.53
-50.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,918
$0.93FJDΒ 2.04
18.28%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,776
$1.02FJDΒ 2.24
-23.53%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,987
$2.97FJDΒ 6.51
-43.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$3.19FJDΒ 6.98
-3.76%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Nadi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,899
$1.35FJDΒ 2.95
-19.26%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,500
$0.86FJDΒ 1.88
46.51%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,914
-
-
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,813
$2.20FJDΒ 4.81
-0.45%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$5.16FJDΒ 11.30
-14.73%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$13.08FJDΒ 28.65
-56.96%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.7K
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,334
$2.20FJDΒ 4.81
6.36%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,771
$2.73FJDΒ 5.98
-61.17%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,365
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,915
$3.42FJDΒ 7.50
-59.65%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,104
$1.82FJDΒ 3.98
-36.81%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,148
$1.74FJDΒ 3.80
-33.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,176
$1.20FJDΒ 2.63
-25.83%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,992
$1.63FJDΒ 3.57
-48.47%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,131
$7.85FJDΒ 17.18
-70.96%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$11.27FJDΒ 24.68
-5.59%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,276
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,809
-
-
π Getting Around
Medellin
Nadi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,051
$0.65FJDΒ 1.42
32.31%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.6K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,255
$1.08FJDΒ 2.36
36.11%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,997
$0.41FJDΒ 0.90
378.05%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$4.83FJDΒ 10.58
60.25%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,403
$1.29FJDΒ 2.83
-26.36%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.6M
$20.0KFJDΒ 43.7K
-9.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.4M
$24.3KFJDΒ 53.1K
9.14%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Nadi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.2K
$55.8FJDΒ 122
47.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$15.50FJDΒ 33.93
-38.71%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.4K
$20.18FJDΒ 44.20
20.07%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Nadi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.3K
$38.24FJDΒ 83.7
-32.30%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$4.66FJDΒ 10.21
-15.67%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Nadi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$219FJDΒ 480
41.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$3,935FJDΒ 8,617
51.61%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Nadi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.1K
$29.12FJDΒ 63.8
101.44%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.3K
$45.08FJDΒ 98.7
-28.24%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.7K
$58.2FJDΒ 128
76.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 386.5K
$66.1FJDΒ 145
63.94%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Nadi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$880FJDΒ 1,927
-45.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$480FJDΒ 1,051
-21.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$1,551FJDΒ 3,397
-45.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$1,038FJDΒ 2,273
-30.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
$712FJDΒ 1,559
291.92%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$540FJDΒ 1,182
124.40%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Nadi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$1,115FJDΒ 2,443
-54.12%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.17
117.67%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Nadi: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $880 in Nadi. 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 118% higher in Nadi, 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 $27.00 in Nadi. Groceries tell a different story β $188 in Medellin vs $212 in Nadi 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 Nadi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nadi cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Nadi is pricier by about 5%, 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 $1,593 in Nadi. 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.
Groceries cost about 13% more in Nadi, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Nadi?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,013, than in Nadi at $1,062. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Nadi it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Nadi 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 Nadi?
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, Nadi makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.