πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $543 in Proletarsk, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,138 in Proletarsk, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $1,734 in Proletarsk, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 87% more than Proletarsk, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Proletarsk are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Proletarsk60% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Proletarsk
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$5.18TJSΒ 47.86
15.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$14.82TJSΒ 137
121.73%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$4.80TJSΒ 44.36
47.71%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$1.51TJSΒ 14.00
13.25%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$0.62TJSΒ 5.70
77.42%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.32TJSΒ 2.98
143.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$0.77TJSΒ 7.07
118.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$1.02TJSΒ 9.47
200.98%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Proletarsk
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$0.71TJSΒ 6.55
53.52%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$0.48TJSΒ 4.45
162.50%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$1.46TJSΒ 13.46
-5.48%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$1.74TJSΒ 16.09
25.86%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$8.89TJSΒ 82.1
-50.51%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$3.86TJSΒ 35.65
45.85%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$6.98TJSΒ 64.6
27.36%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$1.36TJSΒ 12.56
72.06%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$2.27TJSΒ 20.94
-53.30%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$2.54TJSΒ 23.50
-40.94%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$0.95TJSΒ 8.74
45.26%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$0.79TJSΒ 7.32
45.57%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$0.58TJSΒ 5.34
100.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$0.83TJSΒ 7.64
7.23%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.61TJSΒ 5.61
37.70%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$1.82TJSΒ 16.80
25.27%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$8.04TJSΒ 74.3
32.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$0.87TJSΒ 8.08
37.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$1.18TJSΒ 10.87
109.32%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Proletarsk
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$0.21TJSΒ 1.98
309.52%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
$3.89TJSΒ 35.97
964.27%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$0.94TJSΒ 8.70
56.38%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$0.27TJSΒ 2.46
625.93%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$6.10TJSΒ 56.4
26.89%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$0.94TJSΒ 8.66
1.06%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$17.8KTJSΒ 164.5K
1.86%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$19.2KTJSΒ 177.4K
38.01%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Proletarsk
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$52.1TJSΒ 482
57.75%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$13.96TJSΒ 129
-31.95%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$24.09TJSΒ 223
0.58%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Proletarsk
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$26.90TJSΒ 249
-3.75%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
$7.75TJSΒ 71.7
145.16%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$4.91TJSΒ 45.43
-19.96%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Proletarsk
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$102TJSΒ 945
202.78%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$12.8KTJSΒ 118.4K
-53.42%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Proletarsk
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$30.18TJSΒ 279
94.37%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$38.81TJSΒ 359
-16.65%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$73.6TJSΒ 680
39.38%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$53.6TJSΒ 495
102.29%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Proletarsk
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$888TJSΒ 8,211
-46.40%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$74.9TJSΒ 692
405.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$813TJSΒ 7,515
3.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$707TJSΒ 6,535
2.38%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
$899TJSΒ 8,310
210.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$706TJSΒ 6,530
71.46%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Proletarsk
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$275TJSΒ 2,543
86.03%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
12
11.92%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Proletarsk: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $888 in Proletarsk. 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 86% higher in Medellin, 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 $15.00 in Proletarsk. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $164 β making Proletarsk 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 Proletarsk: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Proletarsk cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 87%, and the gap shows up most in Getting Around. 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 $814 in Proletarsk. 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 Proletarsk, 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 Proletarsk?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $543 in Proletarsk. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for Medellin or Proletarsk?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Proletarsk, where all-in costs run around $543, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Proletarsk it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Proletarsk more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Proletarsk β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Proletarsk. 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.