Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and OdesaCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Odesa
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $724 in Odesa, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,141 in Odesa, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $1,557 in Odesa, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 40% more than Odesa, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Odesa are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Odesa46% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Odesa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.3K
$7.32β΄325
-18.17%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 116.9K
$29.47β΄1,307
11.50%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.2K
$6.43β΄285
10.26%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,093
$1.46β΄64.9
17.12%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,910
$0.68β΄29.95
61.76%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,771
$0.45β΄19.95
73.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,976
$1.00β΄44.33
68.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$1.70β΄75.5
80.59%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Odesa
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,892
$1.09β΄48.52
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,492
$0.62β΄27.50
103.23%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,905
$1.41β΄62.6
-2.13%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,799
$1.53β΄68.1
43.14%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$8.07β΄358
-45.48%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.0K
$4.36β΄193
29.13%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.6K
$6.34β΄281
40.22%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,319
$0.72β΄31.79
225.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,764
$1.64β΄72.8
-35.37%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,355
$1.77β΄78.4
-15.25%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,906
$2.25β΄99.6
-38.67%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,097
$0.66β΄29.12
74.24%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,141
$0.51β΄22.69
127.45%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,170
$1.55β΄68.5
-42.58%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,986
$0.54β΄24.15
55.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,116
$2.73β΄121
-16.48%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$5.59β΄248
90.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,268
$0.78β΄34.73
53.85%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,793
$1.47β΄65.0
68.03%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Odesa
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,045
$0.34β΄15.24
152.94%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.3K
$14.18β΄629
191.96%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,245
$1.97β΄87.2
-25.38%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,984
$0.34β΄15.09
476.47%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.5K
$2.83β΄126
173.50%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,397
$1.34β΄59.5
-29.10%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.5M
$31.6Kβ΄1.4M
-42.56%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.2M
$28.0Kβ΄1.2M
-5.51%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Odesa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 292.7K
$90.9β΄4,032
-9.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.8K
$5.23β΄232
81.64%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.2K
$6.74β΄299
259.50%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Odesa
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.1K
$26.06β΄1,156
-0.65%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.6K
$12.58β΄558
51.03%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$6.15β΄273
-36.10%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Odesa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$255β΄11.3K
21.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.2M
$2,059β΄91.3K
189.66%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Odesa
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 208.7K
$62.3β΄2,763
-5.84%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.1K
$40.05β΄1,776
-19.23%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.1K
$88.1β΄3,906
16.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 385.8K
$103β΄4,572
5.17%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Odesa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$269β΄11.9K
76.97%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$176β΄7,816
114.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$510β΄22.6K
64.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$313β΄13.9K
131.51%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
$1,561β΄69.2K
78.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$895β΄39.7K
35.36%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Odesa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$471β΄20.9K
8.73%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
21
-36.05%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Odesa: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $269 in Odesa. 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 9% 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 $29.00 in Odesa. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $159 β making Odesa 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 Odesa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Odesa cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 40%, 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 $1,519 per month in Medellin and $1,086 in Odesa. 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 Odesa, 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 Odesa?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $724 in Odesa. 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 Odesa?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Odesa, where all-in costs run around $724, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Odesa it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Odesa more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Odesa 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 Odesa. 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.