πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $360 in Nowshera, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $591 in Nowshera, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $823 in Nowshera, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 181% more than Nowshera, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Medellin and Nowshera are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Nowshera73% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Nowshera
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.3K
$2.77PKRΒ 771
116.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 116.9K
$14.03PKRΒ 3,903
134.21%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.2K
$5.25PKRΒ 1,460
35.05%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.80PKRΒ 500
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.92PKRΒ 1,091
-
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,093
$2.00PKRΒ 557
-14.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,910
$0.39PKRΒ 109
182.05%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,771
$0.22PKRΒ 60.8
254.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,976
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
-
-
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Nowshera
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,892
$0.74PKRΒ 206
47.30%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,492
$0.65PKRΒ 182
93.85%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,905
$1.28PKRΒ 356
7.81%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,799
$1.11PKRΒ 310
97.30%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$6.16PKRΒ 1,713
-28.57%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.0K
$2.82PKRΒ 783
99.65%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.6K
$3.96PKRΒ 1,102
124.49%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,319
$0.58PKRΒ 162
303.45%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,764
$0.44PKRΒ 121
140.91%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,355
$0.86PKRΒ 240
74.42%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,906
$0.56PKRΒ 157
146.43%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,097
$0.39PKRΒ 107
194.87%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,141
$0.37PKRΒ 102
213.51%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,170
$0.33PKRΒ 93.0
169.70%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,986
$0.33PKRΒ 92.7
154.55%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$1.37PKRΒ 382
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.93PKRΒ 258
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.44PKRΒ 400
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,116
$2.10PKRΒ 585
8.57%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,268
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,793
-
-
π Getting Around
Medellin
Nowshera
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,045
$0.16PKRΒ 44.74
437.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.3K
$6.96PKRΒ 1,936
494.83%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,245
$0.91PKRΒ 253
61.54%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,984
$0.40PKRΒ 112
390.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.5K
$2.89PKRΒ 803
167.82%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,397
$0.97PKRΒ 271
-2.06%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.5M
$21.5KPKRΒ 6.0M
-15.79%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.2M
$25.8KPKRΒ 7.2M
2.79%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Nowshera
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 292.7K
$28.68PKRΒ 7,980
186.79%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.8K
$2.11PKRΒ 586
350.24%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.2K
$11.89PKRΒ 3,307
103.78%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Nowshera
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.1K
$12.50PKRΒ 3,476
107.12%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.6K
$6.10PKRΒ 1,698
211.48%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$4.21PKRΒ 1,171
-6.65%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Nowshera
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$59.8PKRΒ 16.6K
417.15%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.2M
$1,089PKRΒ 303.0K
447.61%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Nowshera
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 208.7K
$21.77PKRΒ 6,056
169.45%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.1K
$28.50PKRΒ 7,928
13.51%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.1K
$89.5PKRΒ 24.9K
14.69%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 385.8K
$40.01PKRΒ 11.1K
171.01%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Nowshera
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$75.5PKRΒ 21.0K
531.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$51.2PKRΒ 14.3K
639.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$167PKRΒ 46.6K
400.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$105PKRΒ 29.3K
587.29%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
$1,017PKRΒ 283.0K
174.34%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$504PKRΒ 140.2K
140.35%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Nowshera
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
20.2
-33.51%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Nowshera: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $75.5 in Nowshera. 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 $33.00 in Medellin versus $14.00 in Nowshera. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $87.0 β making Nowshera 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 Nowshera: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nowshera cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 181%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. 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 $1,519 per month in Medellin and $540 in Nowshera. 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 Nowshera, 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 Nowshera?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $360 in Nowshera. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for Medellin or Nowshera?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Nowshera, where all-in costs run around $360, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Nowshera it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Nowshera more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Nowshera 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 Nowshera. 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.