πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $909 in Phetchabun, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,463 in Phetchabun, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $2,017 in Phetchabun, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 12% more than Phetchabun, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Medellin and Phetchabun are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Phetchabun32% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Phetchabun
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$1.90ΰΈΏ61.9
213.16%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$27.82ΰΈΏ906
19.81%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$6.60ΰΈΏ215
9.55%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$1.21ΰΈΏ39.28
34.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.72ΰΈΏ23.34
51.39%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.22ΰΈΏ7.13
231.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$2.41ΰΈΏ78.6
-27.80%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$3.80ΰΈΏ124
-15.00%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Phetchabun
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.74ΰΈΏ56.5
-39.66%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$1.41ΰΈΏ45.79
-8.51%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.33ΰΈΏ43.22
-0.75%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.21ΰΈΏ72.0
2.71%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$18.48ΰΈΏ602
-76.46%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$3.02ΰΈΏ98.4
94.70%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$10.66ΰΈΏ347
-19.23%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$3.10ΰΈΏ101
-27.42%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.20ΰΈΏ39.11
-10.83%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.90ΰΈΏ61.9
-20.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$1.52ΰΈΏ49.59
-6.58%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.47ΰΈΏ47.93
-20.41%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$1.24ΰΈΏ40.49
-5.65%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$1.02ΰΈΏ33.21
-12.75%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.48ΰΈΏ15.49
87.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$4.41ΰΈΏ144
-48.98%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$15.36ΰΈΏ500
-28.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.81ΰΈΏ58.9
-37.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.66ΰΈΏ86.6
-10.53%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Phetchabun
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.89ΰΈΏ29.00
-5.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$1.11ΰΈΏ36.16
27.03%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$1.18ΰΈΏ38.49
61.02%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$6.21ΰΈΏ202
24.80%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.22ΰΈΏ39.89
-17.21%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$27.5KΰΈΏ895.8K
-36.08%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$27.1KΰΈΏ882.9K
-2.26%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Phetchabun
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$76.4ΰΈΏ2,490
9.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$13.43ΰΈΏ437
-29.64%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$18.63ΰΈΏ607
29.41%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Phetchabun
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$48.42ΰΈΏ1,577
-47.73%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$12.44ΰΈΏ405
53.86%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$7.05ΰΈΏ230
-41.84%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Phetchabun
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$304ΰΈΏ9,907
2.56%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$9,603ΰΈΏ312.8K
-37.59%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Phetchabun
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$33.72ΰΈΏ1,098
72.12%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$35.28ΰΈΏ1,149
-7.71%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$100.0ΰΈΏ3,256
-0.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$70.4ΰΈΏ2,293
54.18%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Phetchabun
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$415ΰΈΏ13.5K
16.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$281ΰΈΏ9,141
35.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$816ΰΈΏ26.6K
2.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$659ΰΈΏ21.5K
9.76%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$2,049ΰΈΏ66.7K
38.61%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$1,604ΰΈΏ52.3K
-23.76%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Phetchabun
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.45
146.42%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Phetchabun: June 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $415 in Phetchabun. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $28.00 in Phetchabun. Groceries tell a different story β $190 in Medellin vs $248 in Phetchabun 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 Phetchabun: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phetchabun cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 12%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. 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 $1,364 in Phetchabun. 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 Phetchabun, 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 Phetchabun?
Interestingly, groceries are about 31% 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 Phetchabun?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Phetchabun, where all-in costs run around $909, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Phetchabun it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Phetchabun more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Phetchabun 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 Phetchabun?
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 Phetchabun. 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.