πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $908 in RΔdΔuΘi, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,470 in RΔdΔuΘi, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $2,033 in RΔdΔuΘi, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 12% more than RΔdΔuΘi, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and RΔdΔuΘi are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, RΔdΔuΘi32% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
RΔdΔuΘi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$10.49RONΒ 47.47
-43.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$58.4RONΒ 264
-42.92%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$8.10RONΒ 36.65
-10.74%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$2.27RONΒ 10.26
-28.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$2.41RONΒ 10.91
-54.77%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$1.41RONΒ 6.40
-48.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$1.52RONΒ 6.87
14.47%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$2.25RONΒ 10.16
43.56%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
RΔdΔuΘi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.17RONΒ 5.29
-10.26%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$1.17RONΒ 5.30
10.26%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.64RONΒ 7.41
-19.51%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.34RONΒ 10.57
-2.99%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$8.12RONΒ 36.75
-46.43%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$5.61RONΒ 25.36
4.81%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$9.74RONΒ 44.04
-11.60%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$0.68RONΒ 3.07
230.88%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.62RONΒ 7.35
-33.95%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.57RONΒ 7.11
-3.18%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$1.82RONΒ 8.22
-21.98%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.95RONΒ 4.31
23.16%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.98RONΒ 4.44
19.39%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.79RONΒ 3.57
12.66%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.83RONΒ 3.77
8.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$3.93RONΒ 17.77
-42.75%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$6.49RONΒ 29.37
70.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$0.68RONΒ 3.06
67.65%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.14RONΒ 5.15
108.77%
π Getting Around
Medellin
RΔdΔuΘi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.67RONΒ 3.02
25.37%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$19.81RONΒ 89.6
111.76%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$1.01RONΒ 4.58
39.60%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.83RONΒ 3.75
128.92%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$9.50RONΒ 43.00
-18.42%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.71RONΒ 7.73
-40.94%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$28.5KRONΒ 128.8K
-38.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$27.0KRONΒ 122.0K
-1.74%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
RΔdΔuΘi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$161RONΒ 727
-47.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$9.21RONΒ 41.68
2.61%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$10.22RONΒ 46.24
135.91%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
RΔdΔuΘi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$40.62RONΒ 184
-37.69%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$19.28RONΒ 87.2
-0.73%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$8.29RONΒ 37.48
-50.54%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
RΔdΔuΘi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$398RONΒ 1,799
-21.58%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$10.7KRONΒ 48.3K
-43.86%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
RΔdΔuΘi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$69.9RONΒ 316
-17.01%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$40.68RONΒ 184
-19.96%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$84.2RONΒ 381
18.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$98.6RONΒ 446
10.10%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
RΔdΔuΘi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$231RONΒ 1,045
108.86%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$174RONΒ 789
117.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$461RONΒ 2,085
81.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$350RONΒ 1,583
106.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$2,056RONΒ 9,298
38.15%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$1,268RONΒ 5,737
-3.56%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
RΔdΔuΘi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$789RONΒ 3,569
-31.45%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.85
129.57%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for RΔdΔuΘi: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $231 in RΔdΔuΘi. 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 46% higher in RΔdΔuΘi, 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 $58.0 in RΔdΔuΘi. Groceries tell a different story β $190 in Medellin vs $186 in RΔdΔuΘi β so RΔdΔuΘi 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 RΔdΔuΘi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is RΔdΔuΘi cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 12%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. 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 $1,361 in RΔdΔuΘi. 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 RΔdΔuΘi, 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 RΔdΔuΘi?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $908 in RΔdΔuΘi. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for Medellin or RΔdΔuΘi?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in RΔdΔuΘi, where all-in costs run around $908, than in Medellin at $1,017. In RΔdΔuΘi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or RΔdΔuΘi more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward RΔdΔuΘi 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 RΔdΔuΘi?
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 RΔdΔuΘi. 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.