πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $1,080 in Port Louis, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,699 in Port Louis, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $2,319 in Port Louis, rent included.
πMedellin is about 6% cheaper than Port Louis, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Medellin and Port Louis are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Port Louis20% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Port Louis
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$6.53MURΒ 308
-8.88%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$43.69MURΒ 2,057
-23.71%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$6.98MURΒ 329
3.58%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$2.56MURΒ 121
-36.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$1.02MURΒ 48.19
6.86%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.60MURΒ 28.37
21.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$2.26MURΒ 107
-23.01%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$3.33MURΒ 157
-3.00%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Port Louis
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.69MURΒ 79.5
-37.87%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.67MURΒ 31.37
92.54%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.32MURΒ 62.4
-
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.33MURΒ 110
-2.58%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$12.10MURΒ 570
-64.05%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$6.13MURΒ 289
-4.08%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$12.72MURΒ 599
-32.31%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.98MURΒ 93.1
13.64%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.96MURΒ 92.4
-45.41%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.49MURΒ 70.3
2.01%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$2.74MURΒ 129
-48.18%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.02MURΒ 48.27
14.71%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.94MURΒ 44.46
24.47%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.81MURΒ 38.06
9.88%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.76MURΒ 35.75
18.42%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$6.41MURΒ 302
-64.90%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$8.58MURΒ 404
28.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.73MURΒ 81.7
-34.10%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.26MURΒ 106
5.31%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Port Louis
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$1.05MURΒ 49.57
-20.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$22.34MURΒ 1,052
87.78%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$4.28MURΒ 202
-67.06%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$2.61MURΒ 123
-27.20%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$19.86MURΒ 935
-60.98%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.47MURΒ 69.3
-31.29%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$36.3KMURΒ 1.7M
-51.57%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$28.5KMURΒ 1.3M
-7.01%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Port Louis
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$48.79MURΒ 2,297
71.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$18.23MURΒ 858
-48.16%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$33.17MURΒ 1,562
-27.31%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Port Louis
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$23.97MURΒ 1,129
5.59%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$4.01MURΒ 189
377.31%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$6.03MURΒ 284
-32.01%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Port Louis
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$157MURΒ 7,384
98.93%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$3,956MURΒ 186.3K
51.51%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Port Louis
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$85.7MURΒ 4,033
-32.24%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$79.2MURΒ 3,729
-58.88%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$132MURΒ 6,213
-24.50%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$92.8MURΒ 4,371
16.92%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Port Louis
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$472MURΒ 22.2K
2.18%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$353MURΒ 16.6K
7.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$777MURΒ 36.6K
7.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$630MURΒ 29.7K
14.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$4,057MURΒ 191.1K
-30.01%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$1,045MURΒ 49.2K
17.00%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Port Louis
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$671MURΒ 31.6K
-19.43%
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: June 8, 2026
Last update for Port Louis: June 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $472 in Port Louis. 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 24% higher in Port Louis, 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 $44.00 in Port Louis. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $232 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 Port Louis: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Port Louis cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Port Louis is pricier by about 6%, 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 $1,619 in Port Louis. 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 Port Louis?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $1,080 in Port Louis. 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 Port Louis?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,017, than in Port Louis at $1,080. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Port Louis it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Port Louis 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 Port Louis?
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, Port Louis makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.