😐A single person spends $1,031 per month in Medellin vs $343 in Njombe, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,599 per month in Medellin vs $524 in Njombe, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,167 per month in Medellin vs $705 in Njombe, rent included.
😐Medellin costs about 200% more than Njombe, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Medellin and Njombe are more affordable than the global median – Medellin23% lower, Njombe74% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Njombe
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.16COP 20.1K
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.60COP 106.1K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.34COP 23.9K
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.72COP 5,599
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05COP 3,420
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77COP 2,515
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.69COP 5,487
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.17COP 10.3K
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Njombe
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COP 3,423
$0.96TZS 2,510
9.38%
White Bread(500g)
$1.30COP 4,236
$0.55TZS 1,452
136.36%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.40COP 4,544
$0.95TZS 2,482
47.37%
Eggs
$2.16COP 7,046
$1.38TZS 3,614
56.52%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.39COP 14.3K
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COP 19.1K
$3.92TZS 10.3K
50.00%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.64COP 28.1K
$3.01TZS 7,897
187.04%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28COP 7,425
$1.51TZS 3,960
50.99%
Banana(1kg)
$1.11COP 3,603
$1.70TZS 4,468
-34.71%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COP 4,982
$1.90TZS 4,983
-19.47%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.35COP 4,410
$0.98TZS 2,560
37.76%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,674
$1.31TZS 3,450
-13.74%
Onion(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,692
$2.53TZS 6,631
-55.34%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COP 2,753
$0.41TZS 1,073
107.32%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COP 2,975
$0.37TZS 976
145.95%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.34COP 7,629
$1.71TZS 4,488
36.84%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.37COP 40.3K
$1.88TZS 4,930
557.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COP 3,909
$1.32TZS 3,466
-9.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49COP 8,104
$2.16TZS 5,676
15.28%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Njombe
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COP 2,727
$0.26TZS 681
223.08%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.57COP 132.1K
$20.36TZS 53.4K
99.26%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COP 4,623
$1.53TZS 4,008
-7.19%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.92COP 6,235
$1.17TZS 3,077
64.10%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.66COP 24.9K
$5.88TZS 15.4K
30.27%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,223
$1.25TZS 3,284
-20.80%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.0KCOP 58.7M
$18.3KTZS 47.9M
-1.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.6KCOP 86.7M
$11.4KTZS 30.0M
133.22%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Njombe
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$80.8COP 263.1K
$20.93TZS 54.9K
286.10%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.95COP 32.4K
$15.20TZS 39.9K
-34.54%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.18COP 78.7K
$57.2TZS 150.0K
-57.71%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Njombe
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.08COP 81.6K
$23.08TZS 60.6K
8.67%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.15COP 62.3K
$7.58TZS 19.9K
152.64%
Cinema Ticket
$3.98COP 13.0K
$3.90TZS 10.2K
2.05%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Njombe
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$305COP 993.4K
$333TZS 873.7K
-8.34%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,059COP 19.7M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Njombe
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.1COP 189.2K
$15.33TZS 40.2K
279.19%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.20COP 104.8K
$21.54TZS 56.5K
49.49%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101COP 327.9K
$17.47TZS 45.9K
476.59%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COP 350.8K
$15.60TZS 40.9K
590.71%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Njombe
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$477COP 1.6M
$115TZS 301.7K
314.58%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$376COP 1.2M
$38.96TZS 102.2K
865.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$845COP 2.7M
$193TZS 506.0K
338.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$730COP 2.4M
$115TZS 301.9K
534.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,215COP 10.5M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,372COP 4.5M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Njombe
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$617COP 2.0M
$260TZS 682.9K
136.99%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
12
11.92%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 12, 2026
Last update for Njombe: July 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $477 in Medellin versus $115 in Njombe. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 137% higher in Medellin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
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 Njombe: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Njombe cheaper than Medellin?
Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 200%, 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 $1,546 per month in Medellin and $515 in Njombe. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Njombe, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
Public transport costs about 99% less in Njombe. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and in Njombe?
Groceries cost about 71% 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 $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Njombe?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Njombe, where all-in costs run around $343, than in Medellin at $1,031. In Njombe it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Njombe more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Njombe – 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 Njombe?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Njombe. 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.