πA single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $886 in Phetchabun, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $1,455 in Phetchabun, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $2,024 in Phetchabun, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 17% more than Phetchabun, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Medellin and Phetchabun are more affordable than the global median β Medellin23% lower, Phetchabun34% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Phetchabun
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.4K
$1.88ΰΈΏ61.6
214.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COPΒ 118.2K
$27.80ΰΈΏ909
17.81%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COPΒ 26.0K
$6.67ΰΈΏ218
7.95%
Cappuccino
$1.70COPΒ 6,140
$1.26ΰΈΏ41.24
34.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,966
$0.69ΰΈΏ22.47
59.42%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COPΒ 2,605
$0.24ΰΈΏ7.88
200.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COPΒ 6,022
$2.47ΰΈΏ80.9
-32.39%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COPΒ 11.2K
$3.78ΰΈΏ124
-17.99%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Phetchabun
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,809
$1.75ΰΈΏ57.2
-39.43%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COPΒ 4,497
$1.33ΰΈΏ43.52
-6.02%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COPΒ 5,022
$1.31ΰΈΏ42.74
6.11%
Eggs
$2.26COPΒ 8,168
$2.23ΰΈΏ73.1
1.35%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COPΒ 15.6K
$18.68ΰΈΏ611
-76.82%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COPΒ 21.1K
$2.97ΰΈΏ97.3
96.63%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COPΒ 31.9K
$10.79ΰΈΏ353
-18.16%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COPΒ 8,099
$3.17ΰΈΏ104
-29.34%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COPΒ 3,882
$1.26ΰΈΏ41.20
-14.29%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COPΒ 5,522
$1.95ΰΈΏ63.8
-21.54%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,950
$1.55ΰΈΏ50.6
-11.61%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COPΒ 4,078
$1.47ΰΈΏ48.09
-23.13%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COPΒ 4,036
$1.22ΰΈΏ39.78
-8.20%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COPΒ 3,057
$1.02ΰΈΏ33.21
-16.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COPΒ 3,281
$0.52ΰΈΏ16.97
75.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COPΒ 8,414
$4.27ΰΈΏ140
-45.43%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COPΒ 40.2K
$17.26ΰΈΏ565
-35.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COPΒ 4,309
$1.80ΰΈΏ58.9
-33.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COPΒ 8,553
$2.78ΰΈΏ91.1
-14.75%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Phetchabun
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,838
$0.94ΰΈΏ30.70
-15.96%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COPΒ 148.5K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,184
$1.09ΰΈΏ35.72
32.11%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COPΒ 6,901
$1.15ΰΈΏ37.70
66.09%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COPΒ 28.9K
$6.15ΰΈΏ201
30.41%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COPΒ 3,385
$1.28ΰΈΏ41.75
-26.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOPΒ 64.7M
$27.2KΰΈΏ889.6K
-34.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOPΒ 96.7M
$27.7KΰΈΏ907.2K
-3.43%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Phetchabun
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COPΒ 303.1K
$76.9ΰΈΏ2,515
9.17%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COPΒ 34.7K
$13.53ΰΈΏ442
-29.05%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COPΒ 87.2K
$18.53ΰΈΏ606
30.38%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Phetchabun
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COPΒ 93.4K
$48.99ΰΈΏ1,602
-47.17%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COPΒ 68.7K
$12.12ΰΈΏ396
57.10%
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COPΒ 14.1K
$6.89ΰΈΏ225
-43.11%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Phetchabun
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COPΒ 1.1M
$297ΰΈΏ9,697
3.30%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COPΒ 21.4M
$9,569ΰΈΏ312.9K
-38.15%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Phetchabun
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COPΒ 209.1K
$33.13ΰΈΏ1,083
74.80%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COPΒ 114.9K
$34.87ΰΈΏ1,140
-8.75%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COPΒ 360.6K
$97.5ΰΈΏ3,188
2.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COPΒ 386.8K
$71.0ΰΈΏ2,321
50.97%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Phetchabun
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COPΒ 1.8M
$420ΰΈΏ13.7K
15.90%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COPΒ 1.3M
$282ΰΈΏ9,222
30.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COPΒ 3.0M
$822ΰΈΏ26.9K
0.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COPΒ 2.6M
$652ΰΈΏ21.3K
9.76%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COPΒ 10.6M
$2,151ΰΈΏ70.4K
35.96%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COPΒ 5.1M
$1,601ΰΈΏ52.3K
-12.12%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Phetchabun
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COPΒ 2.0M
-
-
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: April 27, 2026
Last update for Phetchabun: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $487 in Medellin versus $420 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 $253 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 17%, 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 $1,550 per month in Medellin and $1,328 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 33% 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 $886, than in Medellin at $1,034. 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.