πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $1,016 in Samsun, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,502 in Samsun, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $1,987 in Samsun, rent included.
πMedellin and Samsun have comparable living costs β the differences are in the details.
πBoth Medellin and Samsun are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Samsun24% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Samsun
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$7.73βΊ357
-23.03%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$25.36βΊ1,173
31.43%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$8.67βΊ401
-16.61%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$2.84βΊ131
-42.61%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$1.31βΊ60.5
-16.79%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.26βΊ12.06
180.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$2.78βΊ129
-37.41%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$2.89βΊ134
11.76%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Samsun
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.09βΊ50.6
-3.67%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.39βΊ18.13
230.77%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$3.85βΊ178
-65.71%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$1.65βΊ76.4
37.58%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$8.73βΊ404
-50.17%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$10.30βΊ476
-42.91%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$19.12βΊ884
-54.97%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.29βΊ59.9
74.42%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.17βΊ54.3
-8.55%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$0.91βΊ42.05
67.03%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$1.24βΊ57.5
14.52%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.65βΊ29.91
80.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.60βΊ27.75
95.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.80βΊ36.79
11.25%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.73βΊ33.63
23.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$2.05βΊ94.9
9.76%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$9.90βΊ458
11.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.98βΊ91.6
-42.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.60βΊ120
-8.46%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Samsun
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.58βΊ26.88
44.83%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$9.73βΊ450
331.14%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$2.33βΊ108
-39.48%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.66βΊ30.46
187.88%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$4.66βΊ216
66.31%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.16βΊ53.9
-12.93%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$43.1KβΊ2.0M
-59.17%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$50.1KβΊ2.3M
-47.09%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Samsun
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$50.1βΊ2,316
67.13%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$10.94βΊ506
-13.62%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$11.28βΊ522
113.74%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Samsun
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$83.9βΊ3,879
-69.82%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$5.67βΊ262
-27.69%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Samsun
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$516βΊ23.9K
-39.57%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$3,849βΊ178.0K
55.72%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Samsun
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$37.40βΊ1,730
55.19%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$44.22βΊ2,046
-26.37%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$89.3βΊ4,133
11.52%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$44.71βΊ2,068
142.76%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Samsun
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$491βΊ22.7K
-1.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$335βΊ15.5K
13.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$715βΊ33.1K
17.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$514βΊ23.8K
40.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$771βΊ35.7K
268.16%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$428βΊ19.8K
185.52%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Samsun
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$984βΊ45.5K
-45.06%
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: June 8, 2026
Last update for Samsun: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $491 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 82% higher in Samsun. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
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 $245 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
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,525 per month in Medellin and $1,525 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.
Public transport costs about 331% less in Samsun. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
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 $1,016, than in Medellin at $1,017. 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.