πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $1,391 in Sesvete, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $2,152 in Sesvete, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $2,913 in Sesvete, rent included.
πMedellin is about 27% cheaper than Sesvete, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πMedellin sits 24% below the global median, while Sesvete is 3% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Sesvete
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$11.63β¬10.02
-48.84%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$68.4β¬58.9
-51.24%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$9.34β¬8.05
-22.59%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$2.51β¬2.17
-35.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$3.12β¬2.69
-65.06%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$2.04β¬1.76
-64.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$3.57β¬3.08
-51.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$4.53β¬3.90
-28.70%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Sesvete
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.34β¬1.16
-21.64%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$1.63β¬1.40
-20.86%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$2.76β¬2.37
-52.17%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$3.65β¬3.14
-37.81%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$10.39β¬8.95
-58.13%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$9.27β¬7.99
-36.57%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$10.90β¬9.40
-21.01%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.80β¬1.55
25.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.58β¬1.36
-32.28%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.97β¬1.69
-22.84%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$3.09β¬2.66
-54.05%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.43β¬1.23
-18.18%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.91β¬0.78
28.57%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$1.26β¬1.09
-29.37%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$1.26β¬1.09
-28.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$5.11β¬4.41
-55.97%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$7.31β¬6.30
51.03%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.85β¬1.59
-38.38%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.19β¬1.88
8.68%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Sesvete
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$1.76β¬1.52
-52.27%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$42.55β¬36.66
-1.41%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$2.34β¬2.01
-39.74%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$1.03β¬0.88
84.47%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$10.40β¬8.96
-25.48%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.78β¬1.53
-43.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$34.2Kβ¬29.5K
-48.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$26.0Kβ¬22.4K
2.03%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Sesvete
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$132β¬114
-36.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$19.90β¬17.15
-52.51%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$31.92β¬27.50
-24.47%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Sesvete
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$51.7β¬44.53
-51.03%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$14.97β¬12.89
27.86%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$8.97β¬7.73
-54.29%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Sesvete
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$250β¬215
24.81%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$2,303β¬1,984
160.21%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Sesvete
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$91.5β¬78.9
-36.58%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$38.06β¬32.80
-14.45%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$96.1β¬82.8
3.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$116β¬99.6
-6.11%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Sesvete
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$672β¬579
-28.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$471β¬406
-19.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$1,044β¬900
-19.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$787β¬678
-8.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$4,140β¬3,567
-31.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$2,856β¬2,461
-57.18%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Sesvete
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
3.72
261.02%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Sesvete: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $672 in Sesvete. 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 $68.0 in Sesvete. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $262 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 Sesvete: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sesvete cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Sesvete is pricier by about 37%, 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 $1,525 per month in Medellin and $2,086 in Sesvete. 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 Sesvete?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $1,391 in Sesvete. 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 Sesvete?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,017, than in Sesvete at $1,391. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Sesvete it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Sesvete 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 Sesvete?
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, Sesvete makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.