πA single person spends $1,030 per month in Medellin vs $956 in Nizhnevartovsk, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,586 per month in Medellin vs $1,485 in Nizhnevartovsk, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,143 per month in Medellin vs $2,015 in Nizhnevartovsk, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 8% more than Nizhnevartovsk, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Nizhnevartovsk are more affordable than the global median β Medellin23% lower, Nizhnevartovsk29% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Nizhnevartovsk
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.2K
$9.59β½720
-38.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.17COPΒ 118.7K
$37.47β½2,812
-11.48%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.25COPΒ 25.9K
$5.67β½425
27.87%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,137
$2.27β½170
-24.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,915
$1.08β½81.3
0.93%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77COPΒ 2,743
$0.51β½38.44
50.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.75COPΒ 6,254
$1.41β½105
24.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COPΒ 11.4K
$2.59β½195
22.78%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Nizhnevartovsk
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,792
$1.11β½83.4
-4.50%
White Bread(500g)
$1.30COPΒ 4,657
$0.69β½52.0
88.41%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,926
$1.38β½104
-
Eggs
$2.21COPΒ 7,908
$1.72β½129
28.49%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.52COPΒ 16.2K
$10.85β½814
-58.34%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.80COPΒ 20.7K
$4.76β½357
21.85%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COPΒ 32.1K
$8.93β½670
0.45%
Apples(1kg)
$2.29COPΒ 8,182
$1.75β½131
30.86%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,791
$1.90β½142
-44.21%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.51COPΒ 5,411
$2.00β½150
-24.50%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COPΒ 4,869
$2.78β½209
-51.08%
Potato(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,146
$0.85β½63.8
36.47%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,174
$0.70β½52.8
67.14%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.83COPΒ 2,960
$1.41β½106
-41.13%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85COPΒ 3,043
$0.67β½50.6
26.87%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.35COPΒ 8,423
$2.91β½219
-19.24%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.09COPΒ 39.7K
$8.23β½617
34.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.15COPΒ 4,133
$1.00β½75.1
15.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,853
$1.94β½146
27.32%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Nizhnevartovsk
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,827
$0.53β½40.00
49.06%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.85COPΒ 149.8K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,140
$1.84β½138
-21.74%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,793
$0.35β½26.47
442.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.70COPΒ 27.6K
$6.45β½484
19.38%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.03COPΒ 3,680
$0.71β½53.5
45.07%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.7KCOPΒ 63.3M
$34.9Kβ½2.6M
-49.40%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.0KCOPΒ 96.7M
$35.3Kβ½2.7M
-23.55%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Nizhnevartovsk
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.4COPΒ 291.4K
$110β½8,234
-25.79%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.42COPΒ 33.7K
$6.10β½457
54.43%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.77COPΒ 85.1K
$7.64β½574
211.13%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Nizhnevartovsk
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.86COPΒ 92.6K
$36.11β½2,710
-28.39%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.34COPΒ 69.2K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.05COPΒ 14.5K
$5.15β½387
-21.36%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Nizhnevartovsk
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$318β½23.8K
-1.62%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,067COPΒ 21.7M
$6,920β½519.3K
-12.34%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Nizhnevartovsk
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.9COPΒ 210.7K
$68.7β½5,153
-14.29%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.82COPΒ 117.5K
$45.27β½3,397
-27.50%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$100COPΒ 359.6K
$114β½8,553
-11.85%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106COPΒ 380.3K
$106β½7,918
0.71%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Nizhnevartovsk
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$490COPΒ 1.8M
$441β½33.1K
10.98%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$371COPΒ 1.3M
$310β½23.3K
19.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$748β½56.2K
11.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$715COPΒ 2.6M
$501β½37.6K
42.74%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,952COPΒ 10.6M
$1,100β½82.6K
168.31%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,394COPΒ 5.0M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Nizhnevartovsk
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$532COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
13.5
-0.52%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 20, 2026
Last update for Nizhnevartovsk: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $490 in Medellin versus $441 in Nizhnevartovsk. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33 in Medellin versus $37 in Nizhnevartovsk. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $199 β making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Nizhnevartovsk: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nizhnevartovsk cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 8%, 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 $1,544 per month in Medellin and $1,433 in Nizhnevartovsk. 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 Nizhnevartovsk, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or Nizhnevartovsk?
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Nizhnevartovsk?
Interestingly, groceries are about 4% cheaper in Medellin β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Nizhnevartovsk?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Nizhnevartovsk, where all-in costs run around $956, than in Medellin at $1,030. In Nizhnevartovsk it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Nizhnevartovsk more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Nizhnevartovsk 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 Nizhnevartovsk?
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 Nizhnevartovsk. 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.