Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and NisCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Nis
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $1,024 in Nis, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,524 in Nis, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $2,024 in Nis, rent included.
πMedellin is about 1% cheaper than Nis, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and Nis are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Nis24% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Nis
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$7.62RSDΒ 771
-21.92%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$29.33RSDΒ 2,966
13.64%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$9.72RSDΒ 983
-25.62%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$2.00RSDΒ 202
-18.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$1.89RSDΒ 192
-42.33%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$1.27RSDΒ 129
-42.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$2.50RSDΒ 253
-30.40%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$2.97RSDΒ 300
8.75%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Nis
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.34RSDΒ 136
-21.64%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.71RSDΒ 71.5
81.69%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.85RSDΒ 187
-28.65%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.48RSDΒ 251
-8.47%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$7.82RSDΒ 791
-44.37%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$6.75RSDΒ 682
-12.89%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$11.83RSDΒ 1,196
-27.22%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.15RSDΒ 116
95.65%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.73RSDΒ 175
-38.15%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.50RSDΒ 152
1.33%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$1.78RSDΒ 180
-20.22%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.08RSDΒ 109
8.33%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$1.10RSDΒ 111
6.36%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.55RSDΒ 55.8
61.82%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.61RSDΒ 61.8
47.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$4.19RSDΒ 424
-46.30%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$6.53RSDΒ 660
69.07%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$0.71RSDΒ 71.7
60.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.04RSDΒ 206
16.67%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Nis
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.75RSDΒ 75.9
12.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$26.24RSDΒ 2,654
59.87%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$1.46RSDΒ 148
-3.42%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.42RSDΒ 42.88
352.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$6.88RSDΒ 696
12.65%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.76RSDΒ 178
-42.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$31.0KRSDΒ 3.1M
-43.33%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$27.4KRSDΒ 2.8M
-3.17%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Nis
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$142RSDΒ 14.3K
-40.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$16.69RSDΒ 1,688
-43.38%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$22.77RSDΒ 2,303
5.88%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Nis
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$29.32RSDΒ 2,966
-13.68%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$19.33RSDΒ 1,955
-0.98%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$5.07RSDΒ 513
-19.13%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Nis
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$234RSDΒ 23.7K
33.28%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$5,145RSDΒ 520.3K
16.48%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Nis
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$88.8RSDΒ 8,978
-34.62%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$47.06RSDΒ 4,759
-30.81%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$93.2RSDΒ 9,422
6.92%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$103RSDΒ 10.4K
5.45%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Nis
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$409RSDΒ 41.4K
17.94%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$284RSDΒ 28.7K
33.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$554RSDΒ 56.0K
51.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$406RSDΒ 41.1K
77.91%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$2,597RSDΒ 262.7K
9.34%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$1,910RSDΒ 193.2K
-35.97%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Nis
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$890RSDΒ 90.0K
-39.24%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
7.45
80.27%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Nis: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $409 in Nis. 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 65% higher in Nis, 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 $29.00 in Nis. Groceries tell a different story β $190 in Medellin vs $197 in Nis 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 Nis: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nis cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Nis is pricier by about 1%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. 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 $1,535 in Nis. 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.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Nis?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $1,024 in Nis. 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 Nis?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,017, than in Nis at $1,024. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Nis it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Nis 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 Nis?
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, Nis makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.