πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $1,171 in Paszto, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,789 in Paszto, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $2,407 in Paszto, rent included.
πMedellin is about 13% cheaper than Paszto, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and Paszto are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Paszto13% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Paszto
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$11.46FtΒ 3,469
-48.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$49.27FtΒ 14.9K
-32.35%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$8.09FtΒ 2,447
-10.63%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$2.49FtΒ 753
-34.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$1.41FtΒ 428
-22.70%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.98FtΒ 296
-25.51%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$2.67FtΒ 807
-34.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$2.55FtΒ 771
26.67%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Paszto
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.07FtΒ 323
-1.87%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$1.54FtΒ 464
-16.23%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.79FtΒ 540
-26.26%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.85FtΒ 862
-20.35%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$9.50FtΒ 2,873
-54.21%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$5.66FtΒ 1,713
3.89%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$11.08FtΒ 3,351
-22.29%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$2.23FtΒ 676
0.90%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$2.01FtΒ 609
-46.77%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$2.07FtΒ 628
-26.57%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$4.11FtΒ 1,244
-65.45%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.34FtΒ 406
-12.69%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$1.29FtΒ 389
-9.30%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$1.48FtΒ 449
-39.86%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.50FtΒ 151
80.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$7.30FtΒ 2,209
-69.18%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$4.80FtΒ 1,452
130.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.11FtΒ 335
2.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.25FtΒ 380
90.40%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Paszto
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$1.16FtΒ 352
-27.59%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$24.67FtΒ 7,464
70.04%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$2.82FtΒ 854
-50.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$1.16FtΒ 350
63.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$17.56FtΒ 5,314
-55.87%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.77FtΒ 535
-42.94%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$32.1KFtΒ 9.7M
-45.17%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$35.8KFtΒ 10.8M
-25.94%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Paszto
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$144FtΒ 43.6K
-41.95%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$29.44FtΒ 8,909
-67.90%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$24.15FtΒ 7,307
-0.17%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Paszto
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$47.28FtΒ 14.3K
-46.47%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$16.48FtΒ 4,987
16.14%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$7.79FtΒ 2,357
-47.37%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Paszto
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$462FtΒ 139.9K
-32.55%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$6,748FtΒ 2.0M
-11.19%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Paszto
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$90.9FtΒ 27.5K
-36.16%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$25.39FtΒ 7,682
28.24%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$93.5FtΒ 28.3K
6.53%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$105FtΒ 31.8K
3.13%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Paszto
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$450FtΒ 136.2K
7.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$343FtΒ 103.9K
10.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$627FtΒ 189.8K
33.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$523FtΒ 158.3K
38.22%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$3,691FtΒ 1.1M
-23.07%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$2,322FtΒ 702.6K
-47.33%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Paszto
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$792FtΒ 239.7K
-31.73%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
8
67.88%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Paszto: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $450 in Paszto. 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 46% higher in Paszto, 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 $49.00 in Paszto. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $223 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 Paszto: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Paszto cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Paszto is pricier by about 15%, 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 $1,756 in Paszto. 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 Medellin, 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 Paszto?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $1,171 in Paszto. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Paszto?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,017, than in Paszto at $1,171. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Paszto it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Paszto more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Medellin 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 Paszto?
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 Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Paszto makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.