πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $998 in Pyatigorsk, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,536 in Pyatigorsk, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $2,073 in Pyatigorsk, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 2% more than Pyatigorsk, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
πBoth Medellin and Pyatigorsk are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Pyatigorsk26% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Pyatigorsk
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$7.75β½562
-23.23%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$31.33β½2,270
6.38%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$5.46β½396
32.42%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$1.95β½141
-16.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.91β½65.7
19.78%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.54β½39.40
35.19%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$1.29β½93.2
34.88%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$1.86β½134
73.66%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Pyatigorsk
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.17β½85.1
-10.26%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.61β½44.55
111.48%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.34β½97.2
-1.49%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$1.93β½140
17.62%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$16.39β½1,188
-73.46%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$6.98β½506
-15.76%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$7.13β½517
20.76%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$2.62β½190
-14.12%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$3.13β½227
-65.81%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$5.06β½366
-69.96%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$4.30β½312
-66.98%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.20β½86.8
-2.50%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.51β½36.72
129.41%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$1.42β½103
-37.32%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.77β½56.1
16.88%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$2.43β½176
-7.41%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$5.55β½402
98.92%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$0.96β½69.7
18.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.95β½141
22.05%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Pyatigorsk
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.37β½26.50
127.03%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$20.24β½1,467
107.26%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$1.86β½135
-24.19%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.22β½15.88
763.64%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$1.98β½143
291.41%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$0.79β½57.0
27.85%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$15.3Kβ½1.1M
15.11%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$15.0Kβ½1.1M
76.44%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Pyatigorsk
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$113β½8,220
-26.23%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$7.46β½541
26.68%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$9.43β½683
155.67%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Pyatigorsk
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$104β½7,511
-75.58%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$14.09β½1,021
35.84%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$4.70β½341
-12.77%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Pyatigorsk
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$328β½23.8K
-5.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$6,986β½506.2K
-14.21%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Pyatigorsk
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$71.2β½5,162
-18.53%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$76.8β½5,566
-57.61%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$114β½8,296
-12.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$31.43β½2,277
245.34%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Pyatigorsk
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$378β½27.4K
27.59%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$213β½15.5K
77.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$283β½20.5K
195.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$324β½23.5K
122.96%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$2,506β½181.6K
13.32%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$1,615β½117.0K
-24.25%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Pyatigorsk
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$768β½55.7K
-29.58%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
13.25
1.36%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Pyatigorsk: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $378 in Pyatigorsk. 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 42% higher in Pyatigorsk, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $31.00 in Pyatigorsk. Groceries tell a different story β $190 in Medellin vs $249 in Pyatigorsk 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 Pyatigorsk: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pyatigorsk cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 2%, and the gap shows up most in Sport & Entertainment. 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 $1,497 in Pyatigorsk. 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 Pyatigorsk, 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 Pyatigorsk?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $998 in Pyatigorsk. 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 Pyatigorsk?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Pyatigorsk, where all-in costs run around $998, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Pyatigorsk it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Pyatigorsk more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Pyatigorsk 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 Pyatigorsk?
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 Pyatigorsk. 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.