πA single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $1,010 in Samsun, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $1,499 in Samsun, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $1,988 in Samsun, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 2% more than Samsun, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
πBoth Medellin and Samsun are more affordable than the global median β Medellin23% lower, Samsun25% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Samsun
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.4K
$7.66βΊ346
-22.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COPΒ 118.2K
$25.00βΊ1,129
31.00%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COPΒ 26.0K
$8.71βΊ393
-17.34%
Cappuccino
$1.70COPΒ 6,140
$2.77βΊ125
-38.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,966
$1.30βΊ58.6
-15.38%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COPΒ 2,605
$0.26βΊ11.77
176.92%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COPΒ 6,022
$2.94βΊ133
-43.20%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COPΒ 11.2K
$3.04βΊ137
1.97%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Samsun
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,809
$1.07βΊ48.29
-0.93%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COPΒ 4,497
$0.36βΊ16.34
247.22%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COPΒ 5,022
$3.85βΊ174
-63.90%
Eggs
$2.26COPΒ 8,168
$1.72βΊ77.5
31.40%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COPΒ 15.6K
$8.62βΊ389
-49.77%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COPΒ 21.1K
$9.97βΊ450
-41.42%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COPΒ 31.9K
$19.19βΊ866
-53.99%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COPΒ 8,099
$1.24βΊ55.8
80.65%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COPΒ 3,882
$1.11βΊ49.98
-2.70%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COPΒ 5,522
$0.92βΊ41.40
66.30%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,950
$1.24βΊ56.1
10.48%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COPΒ 4,078
$0.61βΊ27.44
85.25%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COPΒ 4,036
$0.60βΊ27.27
86.67%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COPΒ 3,057
$0.74βΊ33.46
14.86%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COPΒ 3,281
$0.67βΊ30.20
35.82%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COPΒ 8,414
$2.11βΊ95.1
10.43%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COPΒ 40.2K
$7.86βΊ355
41.60%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COPΒ 4,309
$2.05βΊ92.7
-41.95%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COPΒ 8,553
$2.56βΊ116
-7.42%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Samsun
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,838
$0.55βΊ24.65
43.64%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COPΒ 148.5K
$9.47βΊ428
334.32%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,184
$2.21βΊ99.9
-34.84%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COPΒ 6,901
$0.64βΊ29.00
198.44%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COPΒ 28.9K
$4.68βΊ211
71.37%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COPΒ 3,385
$1.13βΊ50.9
-16.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOPΒ 64.7M
$42.5KβΊ1.9M
-57.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOPΒ 96.7M
$50.2KβΊ2.3M
-46.61%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Samsun
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COPΒ 303.1K
$50.2βΊ2,266
67.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COPΒ 34.7K
$10.90βΊ492
-11.93%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COPΒ 87.2K
$11.28βΊ509
114.18%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Samsun
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COPΒ 93.4K
$81.1βΊ3,659
-68.07%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COPΒ 68.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COPΒ 14.1K
$5.88βΊ265
-33.33%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Samsun
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COPΒ 1.1M
$511βΊ23.1K
-40.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COPΒ 21.4M
$3,745βΊ169.1K
58.03%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Samsun
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COPΒ 209.1K
$37.61βΊ1,698
53.98%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COPΒ 114.9K
$44.91βΊ2,027
-29.15%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COPΒ 360.6K
$88.2βΊ3,982
13.25%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COPΒ 386.8K
$43.58βΊ1,967
145.85%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Samsun
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COPΒ 1.8M
$494βΊ22.3K
-1.43%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COPΒ 1.3M
$336βΊ15.2K
9.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COPΒ 3.0M
$737βΊ33.3K
11.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COPΒ 2.6M
$528βΊ23.8K
35.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COPΒ 10.6M
$3,685βΊ166.3K
-20.61%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COPΒ 5.1M
$3,055βΊ137.9K
-53.95%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Samsun
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COPΒ 2.0M
$1,030βΊ46.5K
-47.03%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
43.33
-69.01%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026
Last update for Samsun: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $487 in Medellin versus $494 in Samsun. 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 89% higher in Samsun, 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 $25.00 in Samsun. Groceries tell a different story β $190 in Medellin vs $238 in Samsun 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 Samsun: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Samsun 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 $1,550 per month in Medellin and $1,515 in Samsun. 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 Samsun, 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 Samsun?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,034 in Medellin and $1,010 in Samsun. 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 Samsun?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Samsun, where all-in costs run around $1,010, than in Medellin at $1,034. In Samsun it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Samsun more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Samsun 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 Samsun?
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 Samsun. 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.