πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $662 in Samtredia, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,110 in Samtredia, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $1,558 in Samtredia, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 53% more than Samtredia, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and Samtredia are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Samtredia51% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Samtredia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.3K
$11.18βΎ29.68
-46.42%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 116.9K
$44.70βΎ119
-26.49%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.2K
$8.66βΎ23.00
-18.13%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,093
$2.98βΎ7.92
-42.62%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,910
$0.82βΎ2.17
34.15%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,771
$0.42βΎ1.12
85.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,976
$2.20βΎ5.85
-23.64%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$3.01βΎ8.00
1.99%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Samtredia
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,892
$2.01βΎ5.33
-45.77%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,492
$0.72βΎ1.92
75.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,905
$1.83βΎ4.86
-24.59%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,799
$2.45βΎ6.50
-10.61%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$7.85βΎ20.85
-43.95%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.0K
$6.34βΎ16.84
-11.20%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.6K
$9.25βΎ24.55
-3.89%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,319
$1.21βΎ3.21
93.39%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,764
$1.66βΎ4.40
-36.14%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,355
$1.87βΎ4.97
-19.79%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,906
$2.33βΎ6.19
-40.77%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,097
$0.65βΎ1.73
76.92%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,141
$0.67βΎ1.79
73.13%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,170
$1.18βΎ3.13
-24.58%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,986
$0.66βΎ1.76
27.27%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,116
$2.92βΎ7.76
-21.92%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$7.63βΎ20.27
39.45%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,268
$1.58βΎ4.19
-24.05%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,793
$2.33βΎ6.20
6.01%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Samtredia
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,045
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.3K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,245
$1.43βΎ3.79
2.80%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,984
$0.69βΎ1.82
184.06%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.5K
$7.34βΎ19.48
5.45%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,397
$1.13βΎ3.01
-15.93%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.5M
$18.6KβΎ49.4K
-2.64%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.2M
$20.1KβΎ53.5K
31.46%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Samtredia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 292.7K
$73.1βΎ194
12.59%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.8K
$11.80βΎ31.33
-19.49%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.2K
$17.50βΎ46.47
38.46%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Samtredia
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.1K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.6K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$6.65βΎ17.65
-40.90%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Samtredia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$266βΎ705
16.53%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.2M
$5,224βΎ13.9K
14.20%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Samtredia
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 208.7K
$77.6βΎ206
-24.38%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.1K
$43.35βΎ115
-25.37%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.1K
$117βΎ311
-12.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 385.8K
$112βΎ298
-3.34%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Samtredia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Samtredia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
11.89
12.95%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Samtredia: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $45.00 in Samtredia. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $206 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 Samtredia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Samtredia cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 53%, 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 $1,519 per month in Medellin and $993 in Samtredia. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Samtredia?
Interestingly, groceries are about 9% cheaper in Medellin β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for Medellin or Samtredia?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Samtredia, where all-in costs run around $662, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Samtredia it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Samtredia more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Samtredia 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 Samtredia?
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 Samtredia. 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.