πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $291 in Nampula, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $472 in Nampula, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $653 in Nampula, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 249% more than Nampula, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Medellin and Nampula are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Nampula78% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Nampula
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$4.37MZNΒ 277
36.16%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.88MZNΒ 55.8
23.86%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.61MZNΒ 38.73
19.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$1.26MZNΒ 79.8
38.10%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$1.60MZNΒ 101
101.87%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Nampula
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.82MZNΒ 115
-42.31%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.46MZNΒ 28.90
180.43%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.08MZNΒ 68.3
22.22%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.73MZNΒ 172
-16.85%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$9.88MZNΒ 625
-55.97%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$3.37MZNΒ 213
74.48%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$3.89MZNΒ 246
121.34%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$2.70MZNΒ 170
-16.67%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$2.41MZNΒ 153
-55.60%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$2.04MZNΒ 129
-25.49%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$1.58MZNΒ 99.7
-10.13%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.43MZNΒ 90.3
-18.18%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$1.78MZNΒ 112
-34.27%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.75MZNΒ 47.75
18.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.81MZNΒ 51.2
11.11%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$6.28MZNΒ 397
75.80%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$2.40MZNΒ 152
-52.50%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
-
-
π Getting Around
Medellin
Nampula
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.17MZNΒ 10.47
394.12%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$1.52MZNΒ 96.3
-7.24%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$2.33MZNΒ 148
-18.45%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.51MZNΒ 95.4
-33.11%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
-
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Nampula
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
-
-
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Nampula
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
-
-
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Nampula
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
-
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Nampula
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$95.1MZNΒ 6,014
4.76%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
-
-
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Nampula
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$938MZNΒ 59.3K
-10.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Nampula
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Nampula: June 8, 2026
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 Nampula: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nampula cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 249%, 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 $1,525 per month in Medellin and $436 in Nampula. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Nampula?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $291 in Nampula. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Nampula?
Groceries cost about 2% more in Medellin, 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 Nampula?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Nampula, where all-in costs run around $291, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Nampula it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Nampula more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Nampula 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 Nampula. 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.