😐A single person spends $1,003 per month in Medellin vs $296 in Nampula, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,573 per month in Medellin vs $478 in Nampula, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,143 per month in Medellin vs $659 in Nampula, rent included.
😐Medellin costs about 238% more than Nampula, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Medellin and Nampula are more affordable than the global median – Medellin25% lower, Nampula78% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Nampula
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.91COP 18.6K
$4.24MZN 268
39.39%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.96COP 103.8K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.43COP 23.4K
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.65COP 5,207
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,468
$0.88MZN 55.4
25.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COP 2,458
$0.61MZN 38.37
27.87%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,412
$1.29MZN 81.3
33.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COP 10.0K
$1.60MZN 101
98.75%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Nampula
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10COP 3,474
$1.74MZN 110
-36.78%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COP 3,962
$0.48MZN 30.47
162.50%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,349
$1.07MZN 67.6
28.97%
Eggs
$2.18COP 6,858
$2.70MZN 171
-19.26%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.49COP 14.1K
$10.15MZN 642
-55.76%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.79COP 18.2K
$3.43MZN 217
68.80%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COP 28.2K
$3.82MZN 242
134.82%
Apples(1kg)
$2.32COP 7,308
$2.65MZN 167
-12.45%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COP 3,352
$2.39MZN 151
-55.65%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COP 4,774
$2.02MZN 128
-24.75%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COP 4,270
$1.53MZN 96.5
-11.11%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,552
$1.42MZN 89.8
-20.42%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,689
$1.77MZN 112
-33.90%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90COP 2,838
$0.81MZN 51.1
11.11%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COP 2,823
$0.86MZN 54.7
4.65%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.23COP 7,034
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$12.12COP 38.2K
$6.11MZN 386
98.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 3,743
$2.29MZN 145
-48.03%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COP 7,815
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Nampula
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.85COP 2,687
$0.18MZN 11.43
372.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.62COP 131.0K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COP 4,459
$1.57MZN 99.4
-9.55%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.95COP 6,141
$2.38MZN 151
-18.07%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.89COP 24.8K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,118
$1.54MZN 97.3
-35.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOP 55.4M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 84.4M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Nampula
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.0COP 261.4K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.70COP 30.5K
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.52COP 74.1K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Nampula
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.26COP 79.5K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.10COP 60.1K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.95COP 12.4K
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Nampula
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$316COP 994.2K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,975COP 18.8M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Nampula
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0COP 188.9K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 100.2K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102COP 320.1K
$92.2MZN 5,833
10.25%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 338.3K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Nampula
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$475COP 1.5M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$374COP 1.2M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$849COP 2.7M
$920MZN 58.2K
-7.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$719COP 2.3M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,265COP 10.3M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,441COP 4.5M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Nampula
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$624COP 2.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Last update for Nampula: July 27, 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 – Medellin is pricier by about 238%, 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 $1,504 per month in Medellin and $444 in Nampula. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin and in Nampula?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,003 in Medellin and $296 in Nampula. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and in Nampula?
Groceries cost about 5% 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 living in Medellin or in Nampula?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Nampula, where all-in costs run around $296, than in Medellin at $1,003. 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 – 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.