Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Sahiwal

For one person, living is cheaper in Sahiwal: $498 a month against $1,639 in Medellin, rent and utilities included – about $13,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Medellin, Colombia
Sahiwal, Pakistan
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,639
/mo nomad
Sahiwal
🇵🇰 Pakistan
$498
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Sahiwal

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Medellin and in Sahiwal actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,639 per month in Medellin vs $498 in Sahiwal, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,639
  • Sahiwal $498

A couple spends around $2,413 per month in Medellin vs $755 in Sahiwal, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,413
  • Sahiwal $755

A family of three spends $3,186 per month in Medellin vs $1,013 in Sahiwal, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,186
  • Sahiwal $1,013

Medellin costs about 229% more than Sahiwal, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Medellin sits 20% above the global median, while Sahiwal is 63% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Sahiwal
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.09 COP 25.6K
$2.57 PKR 711
214.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.05 COP 148.9K
$14.34 PKR 3,963
228.10%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.50 COP 30.1K
$5.67 PKR 1,568
67.55%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$3.58 PKR 989
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$5.36 PKR 1,483
-
Cappuccino
$3.01 COP 9,540
$2.62 PKR 724
14.89%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80 COP 5,693
$0.37 PKR 103
386.49%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.41 COP 4,469
$0.26 PKR 72.1
442.31%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.18 COP 10.0K
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.75 COP 18.2K
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Sahiwal
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.51 COP 4,778
$0.97 PKR 268
55.67%
White Bread (500g)
$2.38 COP 7,524
$0.73 PKR 201
226.03%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.77 COP 5,606
$1.24 PKR 342
42.74%
Eggs
$2.89 COP 9,146
$1.20 PKR 332
140.83%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.19 COP 32.2K
$6.40 PKR 1,768
59.22%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.87 COP 31.2K
$2.49 PKR 688
296.39%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.99 COP 44.3K
$4.97 PKR 1,375
181.49%
Apples (1kg)
$3.97 COP 12.6K
$1.18 PKR 326
236.44%
Banana (1kg)
$1.55 COP 4,911
$0.70 PKR 192
121.43%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.18 COP 6,907
$0.83 PKR 230
162.65%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.18 COP 6,910
$0.60 PKR 165
263.33%
Potato (1kg)
$1.96 COP 6,210
$0.31 PKR 86.1
532.26%
Onion (1kg)
$1.59 COP 5,029
$0.36 PKR 99.5
341.67%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.15 COP 3,625
$0.48 PKR 131
139.58%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24 COP 3,934
$0.35 PKR 96.2
254.29%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
-
$1.07 PKR 295
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.60 PKR 166
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.72 PKR 476
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.96 COP 12.5K
$2.13 PKR 588
85.92%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.68 COP 43.3K
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.66 COP 5,252
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26 COP 7,145
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Sahiwal
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.17 COP 3,696
$0.18 PKR 50.8
550.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$77.4 COP 244.8K
$11.05 PKR 3,056
600.18%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.27 COP 4,013
$0.88 PKR 242
44.32%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.05 COP 6,480
$0.74 PKR 204
177.03%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.55 COP 27.1K
$1.83 PKR 506
367.21%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 COP 4,262
$1.34 PKR 371
0.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.1K COP 107.8M
$17.9K PKR 5.0M
90.01%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7K COP 109.7M
$23.7K PKR 6.6M
46.00%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Sahiwal
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$170 COP 536.8K
$125 PKR 34.6K
35.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.55 COP 42.9K
$5.74 PKR 1,587
136.06%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.07 COP 88.8K
$16.23 PKR 4,487
72.95%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Sahiwal
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.70 COP 138.3K
$12.76 PKR 3,527
242.48%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.19 COP 54.4K
$7.53 PKR 2,083
128.29%
Cinema Ticket
$6.91 COP 21.9K
$4.40 PKR 1,217
57.05%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Sahiwal
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$797 COP 2.5M
$75.0 PKR 20.7K
962.03%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,112 COP 28.8M
$2,068 PKR 571.7K
340.62%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Sahiwal
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$84.7 COP 268.1K
$17.74 PKR 4,904
377.56%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.0 COP 183.4K
$27.98 PKR 7,735
107.15%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$135 COP 427.1K
$72.6 PKR 20.1K
85.97%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$97.9 COP 309.7K
$32.21 PKR 8,906
203.85%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Sahiwal
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,208 COP 3.8M
$125 PKR 34.6K
864.50%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$642 COP 2.0M
$76.5 PKR 21.1K
738.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,028 COP 6.4M
$307 PKR 84.9K
560.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,012 COP 3.2M
$177 PKR 49.0K
470.90%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,170 COP 13.2M
$696 PKR 192.5K
498.84%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,910 COP 6.0M
$471 PKR 130.1K
305.87%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Sahiwal
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$657 COP 2.1M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
14.05
-22.14%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Medellin: October 25, 2026

Last update for Sahiwal: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$642
Sahiwal
$77 88.1% $565
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$297
Sahiwal
$97 67.2% $200
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$211
Sahiwal
$147 30.4% $64
Eating Out
Medellin
$170
Sahiwal
$72 57.8% $98
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$169
Sahiwal
$68 59.9% $101
Getting Around
Medellin
$94
Sahiwal
$16 82.5% $77
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$58
Sahiwal
$22 62.5% $36

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,208 in Medellin versus $125 in Sahiwal. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin versus $14 in Sahiwal. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $297 vs $97 – making Sahiwal the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇵🇰 Sahiwal
🕒 Local time
00:06 12:06 AM
10:06 10:06 AM
10 h ahead of Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
389,605
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

PKR, USD, EUR to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of October 29, 2026: 1 USD = 3,164 COP (10,000 COP = 3.16 USD). 1 EUR = 3,523 COP (10,000 COP = 2.84 EUR).

Pakistani Rupee exchange rates as of October 29, 2026: 1 USD = 276 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.62 USD). 1 EUR = 308 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.25 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Sahiwal 14,730 km ≈ 19 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Sahiwal

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Sahiwal: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sahiwal cheaper than Medellin?
Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 229%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,459 per month in Medellin and $747 in Sahiwal. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Sahiwal, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $125 there versus $1,208 in Medellin.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or in Sahiwal?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin and $14 in Sahiwal. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin and in Sahiwal?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,639 in Medellin and $498 in Sahiwal. That makes Sahiwal about 70% cheaper.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Sahiwal?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Sahiwal, where all-in costs run around $498, than in Medellin at $1,639. In Sahiwal it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Sahiwal more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Sahiwal – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
For expats, Sahiwal is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 70% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

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