πA single person spends $1,028 per month in Medellin vs $1,044 in RΓ’Θnov, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,586 per month in Medellin vs $1,550 in RΓ’Θnov, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,144 per month in Medellin vs $2,056 in RΓ’Θnov, rent included.
πMedellin is about 1% cheaper than RΓ’Θnov, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and RΓ’Θnov are more affordable than the global median β Medellin23% lower, RΓ’Θnov22% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
RΓ’Θnov
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.00COPΒ 20.6K
$8.77RONΒ 39.51
-31.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.84COPΒ 112.5K
$39.89RONΒ 180
-17.67%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.42COPΒ 25.4K
$7.99RONΒ 35.98
-7.13%
Cappuccino
$1.65COPΒ 5,659
$2.30RONΒ 10.38
-28.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07COPΒ 3,663
$1.26RONΒ 5.67
-15.08%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76COPΒ 2,607
$1.15RONΒ 5.16
-33.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COPΒ 5,908
$2.24RONΒ 10.11
-23.21%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20COPΒ 11.0K
$2.77RONΒ 12.48
15.52%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
RΓ’Θnov
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,597
$1.55RONΒ 7.00
-32.26%
White Bread(500g)
$1.31COPΒ 4,479
$1.21RONΒ 5.47
8.26%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.34COPΒ 4,591
$1.56RONΒ 7.04
-14.10%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,521
$3.02RONΒ 13.61
-27.48%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.41COPΒ 15.1K
$8.72RONΒ 39.25
-49.43%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.69COPΒ 19.5K
$7.21RONΒ 32.46
-21.08%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.52COPΒ 29.2K
$12.17RONΒ 54.8
-29.99%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,023
$0.98RONΒ 4.41
138.78%
Banana(1kg)
$1.11COPΒ 3,804
$1.37RONΒ 6.16
-18.98%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,210
$1.53RONΒ 6.91
-0.65%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,680
$2.02RONΒ 9.09
-32.18%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 3,950
$0.94RONΒ 4.25
22.34%
Onion(1kg)
$1.18COPΒ 4,043
$0.93RONΒ 4.19
26.88%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.84COPΒ 2,885
$0.74RONΒ 3.32
13.51%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86COPΒ 2,931
$0.74RONΒ 3.34
16.22%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.26COPΒ 7,753
$5.77RONΒ 25.97
-60.83%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.60COPΒ 39.8K
$7.55RONΒ 34.00
53.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,109
$1.03RONΒ 4.65
16.50%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COPΒ 8,484
$1.68RONΒ 7.55
47.62%
π Getting Around
Medellin
RΓ’Θnov
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,721
$0.72RONΒ 3.23
9.72%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.83COPΒ 139.9K
$20.03RONΒ 90.2
103.84%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,023
$0.72RONΒ 3.23
104.17%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.92COPΒ 6,568
$0.65RONΒ 2.91
195.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.77COPΒ 26.6K
$6.94RONΒ 31.23
11.96%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,464
$1.64RONΒ 7.38
-38.41%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.7KCOPΒ 60.5M
$28.1KRONΒ 126.5K
-37.14%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 90.7M
$28.0KRONΒ 126.2K
-5.63%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
RΓ’Θnov
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.1COPΒ 277.9K
$163RONΒ 735
-50.34%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.43COPΒ 32.3K
$8.16RONΒ 36.75
15.56%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.86COPΒ 81.8K
$9.08RONΒ 40.91
162.78%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
RΓ’Θnov
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.99COPΒ 89.1K
$42.07RONΒ 189
-38.22%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.71COPΒ 64.1K
$19.43RONΒ 87.5
-3.71%
Cinema Ticket
$4.09COPΒ 14.0K
$5.72RONΒ 25.74
-28.50%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
RΓ’Θnov
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$315COPΒ 1.1M
$450RONΒ 2,025
-30.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,022COPΒ 20.6M
$6,496RONΒ 29.3K
-7.30%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
RΓ’Θnov
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.7COPΒ 204.6K
$72.2RONΒ 325
-17.35%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.97COPΒ 109.6K
$42.27RONΒ 190
-24.37%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101COPΒ 346.9K
$95.0RONΒ 428
6.52%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$105COPΒ 360.3K
$79.9RONΒ 360
31.58%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
RΓ’Θnov
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$485COPΒ 1.7M
$387RONΒ 1,743
25.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$365COPΒ 1.3M
$285RONΒ 1,283
28.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$827COPΒ 2.8M
$577RONΒ 2,598
43.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$730COPΒ 2.5M
$440RONΒ 1,983
65.84%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,992COPΒ 10.3M
$1,903RONΒ 8,572
57.20%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,314COPΒ 4.5M
$1,373RONΒ 6,182
-4.26%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
RΓ’Θnov
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$551COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
7.7
74.42%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 15, 2026
Last update for RΓ’Θnov: June 16, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $485 in Medellin versus $387 in RΓ’Θnov. 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 $40.00 in RΓ’Θnov. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $214 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 RΓ’Θnov: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is RΓ’Θnov cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β RΓ’Θnov is pricier by about 2%, 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 $1,542 per month in Medellin and $1,566 in RΓ’Θnov. 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 RΓ’Θnov?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,028 in Medellin and $1,044 in RΓ’Θnov. 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 RΓ’Θnov?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,028, than in RΓ’Θnov at $1,044. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in RΓ’Θnov it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or RΓ’Θnov 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 RΓ’Θnov?
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, RΓ’Θnov makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.