πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $889 in Ranong, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,536 in Ranong, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $2,184 in Ranong, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 14% more than Ranong, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Medellin and Ranong are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Ranong34% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Ranong
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.3K
$4.50ΰΈΏ147
33.11%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 116.9K
$45.30ΰΈΏ1,480
-27.46%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.2K
$8.60ΰΈΏ281
-17.56%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,093
$3.02ΰΈΏ98.7
-43.38%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,910
$0.69ΰΈΏ22.49
59.42%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,771
$0.39ΰΈΏ12.80
100.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,976
$2.47ΰΈΏ80.8
-31.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$3.67ΰΈΏ120
-16.35%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Ranong
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,892
$2.18ΰΈΏ71.3
-50.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,492
$1.34ΰΈΏ43.87
-5.97%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,905
$2.23ΰΈΏ72.7
-38.12%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,799
$2.26ΰΈΏ73.9
-3.10%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$19.48ΰΈΏ636
-77.41%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.0K
$1.38ΰΈΏ45.01
307.97%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.6K
$13.21ΰΈΏ431
-32.70%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,319
$3.25ΰΈΏ106
-28.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,764
$1.64ΰΈΏ53.5
-35.37%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,355
$2.29ΰΈΏ74.7
-34.50%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,906
$0.93ΰΈΏ30.46
48.39%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,097
$1.53ΰΈΏ49.84
-24.84%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,141
$1.51ΰΈΏ49.31
-23.18%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,170
$1.01ΰΈΏ33.11
-11.88%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,986
$0.52ΰΈΏ17.09
61.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,116
$4.29ΰΈΏ140
-46.85%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$19.37ΰΈΏ632
-45.07%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,268
$1.78ΰΈΏ58.3
-32.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,793
$2.76ΰΈΏ90.0
-10.51%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Ranong
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,045
$0.95ΰΈΏ30.89
-9.47%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.3K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,245
$1.07ΰΈΏ34.80
37.38%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,984
$1.04ΰΈΏ33.81
88.46%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.5K
$13.66ΰΈΏ446
-43.34%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,397
$1.15ΰΈΏ37.58
-17.39%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.5M
$27.6KΰΈΏ900.5K
-34.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.2M
$33.8KΰΈΏ1.1M
-21.58%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Ranong
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 292.7K
$36.92ΰΈΏ1,206
122.78%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.8K
$13.70ΰΈΏ448
-30.66%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.2K
$12.51ΰΈΏ409
93.69%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Ranong
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.1K
$49.88ΰΈΏ1,629
-48.10%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.6K
$12.13ΰΈΏ396
56.64%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$8.88ΰΈΏ290
-55.74%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Ranong
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$699ΰΈΏ22.8K
-55.71%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.2M
$16.1KΰΈΏ524.9K
-62.88%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Ranong
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 208.7K
$27.62ΰΈΏ902
112.38%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.1K
$15.26ΰΈΏ498
111.99%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.1K
$113ΰΈΏ3,705
-9.56%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 385.8K
$37.28ΰΈΏ1,217
190.85%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Ranong
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$426ΰΈΏ13.9K
11.78%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$290ΰΈΏ9,463
30.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$829ΰΈΏ27.1K
1.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$649ΰΈΏ21.2K
11.51%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
$2,058ΰΈΏ67.2K
35.57%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$1,399ΰΈΏ45.7K
-13.39%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Ranong
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.33
151.97%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Ranong: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $426 in Ranong. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $45.00 in Ranong. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $269 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 Ranong: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ranong cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 14%, 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 $1,333 in Ranong. 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 Ranong, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Ranong?
Interestingly, groceries are about 43% cheaper in Medellin β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Ranong?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Ranong, where all-in costs run around $889, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Ranong it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Ranong more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Ranong 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 Ranong?
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 Ranong. 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.