Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and PlzenCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Plzen
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $1,591 in Plzen, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $2,308 in Plzen, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $3,025 in Plzen, rent included.
πMedellin is about 36% cheaper than Plzen, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πMedellin sits 24% below the global median, while Plzen is 19% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Plzen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$9.25KΔΒ 193
-35.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.2K
$45.92KΔΒ 957
-28.44%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$8.42KΔΒ 176
-15.80%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,105
$3.16KΔΒ 65.9
-45.89%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,918
$1.91KΔΒ 39.80
-42.41%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,776
$1.67KΔΒ 34.89
-53.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,987
$2.77KΔΒ 57.7
-39.35%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$2.74KΔΒ 57.1
12.04%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Plzen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,899
$1.18KΔΒ 24.57
-7.63%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,500
$1.56KΔΒ 32.44
-19.23%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,914
$2.33KΔΒ 48.54
-40.77%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,813
$3.21KΔΒ 67.0
-31.78%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$12.57KΔΒ 262
-65.00%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$9.14KΔΒ 191
-38.40%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.7K
$14.24KΔΒ 297
-37.57%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,334
$1.72KΔΒ 35.90
36.05%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,771
$1.77KΔΒ 36.83
-40.11%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,365
$2.25KΔΒ 46.96
-33.33%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,915
$3.71KΔΒ 77.3
-62.80%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,104
$1.31KΔΒ 27.30
-12.21%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,148
$1.23KΔΒ 25.69
-5.69%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,176
$1.45KΔΒ 30.25
-38.62%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,992
$0.81KΔΒ 16.99
3.70%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,131
$6.95KΔΒ 145
-67.19%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$7.04KΔΒ 147
51.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,276
$1.16KΔΒ 24.19
3.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,809
$1.56KΔΒ 32.44
58.33%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Plzen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,051
$1.22KΔΒ 25.50
-29.51%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.6K
$26.44KΔΒ 551
56.58%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,255
$2.06KΔΒ 42.87
-28.64%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,997
$1.22KΔΒ 25.46
60.66%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$13.92KΔΒ 290
-44.40%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,403
$1.73KΔΒ 36.11
-45.09%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.6M
$28.2KKΔΒ 588.4K
-35.76%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.4M
$30.1KKΔΒ 627.7K
-12.03%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Plzen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.2K
$260KΔΒ 5,422
-68.38%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$25.48KΔΒ 531
-62.72%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.4K
$20.43KΔΒ 426
18.60%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Plzen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.3K
$64.0KΔΒ 1,334
-59.53%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.7K
$14.36KΔΒ 299
32.31%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$10.23KΔΒ 213
-61.58%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Plzen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$328KΔΒ 6,837
-5.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$8,886KΔΒ 185.3K
-32.87%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Plzen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.1K
$83.6KΔΒ 1,743
-29.85%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.3K
$43.33KΔΒ 903
-25.34%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.7K
$91.1KΔΒ 1,899
12.65%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 386.5K
$114KΔΒ 2,366
-4.47%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Plzen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$671KΔΒ 14.0K
-28.99%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$607KΔΒ 12.7K
-37.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$876KΔΒ 18.3K
-4.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$850KΔΒ 17.7K
-14.80%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
$4,838KΔΒ 100.9K
-42.32%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$3,939KΔΒ 82.1K
-69.25%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Plzen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$1,989KΔΒ 41.5K
-74.27%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.47
145.52%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Plzen: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $671 in Plzen. 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 289% higher in Plzen, 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 $46.00 in Plzen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $267 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 Plzen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Plzen cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Plzen is pricier by about 57%, 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 $1,519 per month in Medellin and $2,386 in Plzen. 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 Plzen?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $1,591 in Plzen. 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 Plzen?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,013, than in Plzen at $1,591. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Plzen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Plzen 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 Plzen?
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, Plzen makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.