Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and OniCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Oni
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $659 in Oni, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,098 in Oni, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $1,538 in Oni, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 54% more than Oni, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and Oni are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Oni51% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Oni
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$10.92βΎ28.92
-45.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$43.17βΎ114
-22.79%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$8.60βΎ22.77
-15.93%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$3.08βΎ8.16
-47.08%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.82βΎ2.17
32.93%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.42βΎ1.13
73.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$2.22βΎ5.89
-21.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$2.95βΎ7.80
9.49%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Oni
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$2.00βΎ5.30
-47.50%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.67βΎ1.77
92.54%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.88βΎ4.98
-29.79%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.48βΎ6.58
-8.47%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$7.70βΎ20.40
-43.51%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$6.36βΎ16.85
-7.55%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$9.58βΎ25.38
-10.13%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.21βΎ3.19
85.95%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.60βΎ4.23
-33.13%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.81βΎ4.79
-16.02%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$2.26βΎ5.99
-37.17%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.71βΎ1.88
64.79%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.64βΎ1.69
82.81%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$1.24βΎ3.29
-28.23%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.66βΎ1.76
36.36%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$2.95βΎ7.83
-23.73%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$7.30βΎ19.34
51.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.52βΎ4.03
-25.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.25βΎ5.97
5.78%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Oni
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
$1.44βΎ3.82
-2.08%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.69βΎ1.82
175.36%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$7.45βΎ19.72
4.03%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.09βΎ2.89
-7.34%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$18.6KβΎ49.3K
-5.64%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$20.4KβΎ54.0K
30.03%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Oni
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$72.7βΎ192
15.17%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$11.66βΎ30.87
-18.95%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$18.12βΎ47.98
33.06%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Oni
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$6.44βΎ17.07
-36.34%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Oni
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$269βΎ713
15.86%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$5,191βΎ13.7K
15.46%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Oni
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$75.5βΎ200
-23.09%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$43.39βΎ115
-24.96%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$121βΎ319
-17.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$110βΎ292
-1.58%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Oni
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Oni
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
11.89
12.95%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Oni: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $43.00 in Oni. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $205 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 Oni: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oni cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 54%, 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 $1,525 per month in Medellin and $989 in Oni. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Interestingly, groceries are about 8% 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 Oni?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Oni, where all-in costs run around $659, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Oni it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Oni more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Oni 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 Oni?
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 Oni. 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.