πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $552 in Nyahururu, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $948 in Nyahururu, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $1,343 in Nyahururu, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 84% more than Nyahururu, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Medellin and Nyahururu are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Nyahururu59% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Nyahururu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$5.40KESΒ 700
10.19%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$38.63KESΒ 5,009
-13.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$6.71KESΒ 870
7.75%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$2.49KESΒ 323
-34.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.76KESΒ 98.2
43.42%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.50KESΒ 65.1
46.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$2.39KESΒ 310
-27.20%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$2.83KESΒ 367
14.13%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Nyahururu
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$0.88KESΒ 114
19.32%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.54KESΒ 70.0
138.89%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.64KESΒ 212
-19.51%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$1.71KESΒ 221
32.75%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$11.82KESΒ 1,532
-63.20%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$6.65KESΒ 862
-11.58%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$5.71KESΒ 741
50.79%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$3.12KESΒ 405
-27.88%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.07KESΒ 139
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$2.08KESΒ 270
-26.92%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$1.05KESΒ 136
35.24%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.07KESΒ 139
9.35%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$1.12KESΒ 146
4.46%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.69KESΒ 90.1
28.99%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.77KESΒ 99.4
16.88%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$3.11KESΒ 403
-27.65%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$11.71KESΒ 1,518
-5.72%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$2.19KESΒ 284
-47.95%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.82KESΒ 366
-15.60%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Nyahururu
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$1.53KESΒ 198
-7.84%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$1.58KESΒ 204
20.25%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$2.94KESΒ 381
163.61%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.52KESΒ 197
-33.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$21.7KKESΒ 2.8M
-19.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$19.9KKESΒ 2.6M
33.17%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Nyahururu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$34.12KESΒ 4,425
145.25%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$16.58KESΒ 2,150
-43.00%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$39.18KESΒ 5,080
-38.46%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Nyahururu
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$6.20KESΒ 804
-33.87%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Nyahururu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$203KESΒ 26.4K
53.32%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$7,948KESΒ 1.0M
-24.60%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Nyahururu
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$18.27KESΒ 2,369
217.68%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$24.18KESΒ 3,136
34.66%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$66.6KESΒ 8,630
49.67%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$57.1KESΒ 7,406
90.02%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Nyahururu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$75.9KESΒ 9,839
535.60%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$54.1KESΒ 7,008
602.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$351KESΒ 45.5K
138.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$153KESΒ 19.8K
372.45%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Nyahururu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$115KESΒ 14.9K
369.87%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
14.84
-9.50%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Nyahururu: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $75.9 in Nyahururu. 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 370% higher in Medellin, 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 $39.00 in Nyahururu. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $206 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 Nyahururu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nyahururu cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 84%, 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 $1,525 per month in Medellin and $828 in Nyahururu. 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 Nyahururu, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Nyahururu?
Interestingly, groceries are about 9% cheaper in Medellin β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for Medellin or Nyahururu?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Nyahururu, where all-in costs run around $552, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Nyahururu it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Nyahururu more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Nyahururu 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 Nyahururu. 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.