πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $754 in Ozamiz, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,201 in Ozamiz, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $1,648 in Ozamiz, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 34% more than Ozamiz, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Ozamiz are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Ozamiz44% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Ozamiz
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$3.48β±215
72.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$18.04β±1,112
82.15%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$3.23β±199
119.50%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$2.44β±151
-29.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$0.84β±51.6
30.95%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.39β±24.27
100.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$1.34β±82.9
25.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$2.18β±135
40.83%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Ozamiz
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$1.75β±108
-37.71%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$0.80β±49.59
57.50%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$0.89β±55.2
55.06%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$1.58β±97.3
38.61%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$7.97β±491
-44.79%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$4.37β±270
28.83%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$7.63β±471
16.51%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$2.99β±184
-21.74%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$1.55β±95.4
-31.61%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$2.61β±161
-42.53%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$1.57β±96.6
-12.10%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$2.19β±135
-47.49%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$2.54β±157
-54.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$1.12β±69.0
-20.54%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.73β±44.86
15.07%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$2.77β±171
-17.69%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$7.99β±492
33.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$1.16β±71.6
3.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$2.06β±127
19.90%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Ozamiz
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$0.28β±17.47
207.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$0.78β±47.93
88.46%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$0.24β±14.83
716.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$2.12β±131
265.09%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$1.10β±67.8
-13.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$26.1Kβ±1.6M
-30.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$20.4Kβ±1.3M
30.06%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Ozamiz
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$110β±6,811
-25.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$33.07β±2,039
-71.27%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$27.26β±1,681
-11.12%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Ozamiz
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$33.72β±2,079
-23.22%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
$4.30β±265
341.86%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$5.85β±360
-32.82%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Ozamiz
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$153β±9,429
102.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$4,269β±263.2K
39.74%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Ozamiz
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$45.05β±2,778
30.21%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$26.86β±1,656
20.44%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$76.6β±4,725
33.91%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$52.2β±3,218
107.76%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Ozamiz
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$263β±16.2K
81.11%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$176β±10.9K
115.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$584β±36.0K
43.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$393β±24.2K
84.35%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
$2,717β±167.5K
2.70%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$1,118β±69.0K
8.31%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Ozamiz
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$192β±11.8K
166.87%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.67
101.35%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Ozamiz: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $263 in Ozamiz. 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 167% 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 $18.00 in Ozamiz. Groceries tell a different story β $188 in Medellin vs $197 in Ozamiz β so Medellin wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Ozamiz: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ozamiz cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 34%, 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 $1,131 in Ozamiz. 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 Ozamiz, 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 Ozamiz?
Interestingly, groceries are about 5% cheaper in Medellin β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Ozamiz?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Ozamiz, where all-in costs run around $754, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Ozamiz it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Ozamiz more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Ozamiz 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 Ozamiz. 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.