πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $701 in Settat, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,139 in Settat, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $1,577 in Settat, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 44% more than Settat, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and Settat are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Settat48% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Settat
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.5K
$3.25MADΒ 30.05
84.31%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 118.1K
$33.41MADΒ 309
-1.65%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.5K
$7.23MADΒ 66.8
-1.94%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,155
$1.19MADΒ 10.99
43.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,950
$0.44MADΒ 4.10
150.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,799
$0.33MADΒ 3.02
136.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 6,037
$1.29MADΒ 11.94
30.23%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$1.65MADΒ 15.26
86.06%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Settat
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,931
$0.90MADΒ 8.28
21.11%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,537
$0.59MADΒ 5.42
113.56%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,955
$1.78MADΒ 16.43
-22.47%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,878
$2.00MADΒ 18.47
9.50%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.8K
$9.68MADΒ 89.4
-54.55%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.2K
$6.13MADΒ 56.7
-8.16%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 32.0K
$11.09MADΒ 102
-19.84%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,403
$1.52MADΒ 14.06
53.95%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,802
$1.39MADΒ 12.83
-23.74%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,409
$0.90MADΒ 8.30
66.67%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,956
$0.88MADΒ 8.12
56.82%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,138
$0.80MADΒ 7.35
43.75%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,183
$0.74MADΒ 6.84
56.76%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,203
$0.42MADΒ 3.92
111.90%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 3,016
$0.59MADΒ 5.48
42.37%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,198
$4.36MADΒ 40.25
-47.71%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.3K
$8.06MADΒ 74.5
32.01%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,312
$2.71MADΒ 25.02
-55.72%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,882
$2.94MADΒ 27.19
-15.99%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Settat
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,076
$0.43MADΒ 3.94
100.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 148.8K
$16.21MADΒ 150
155.40%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,298
$0.80MADΒ 7.42
83.75%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,055
$0.51MADΒ 4.73
284.31%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.8K
$5.45MADΒ 50.4
42.02%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,431
$1.53MADΒ 14.16
-37.91%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 65.2M
$36.9KMADΒ 340.4K
-50.80%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 95.2M
$29.7KMADΒ 274.0K
-10.70%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Settat
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 295.7K
$21.57MADΒ 199
281.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 34.2K
$5.42MADΒ 50.1
75.28%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 87.1K
$45.19MADΒ 417
-46.38%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Settat
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 93.0K
$19.06MADΒ 176
35.83%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 68.3K
$23.03MADΒ 213
-17.50%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.1K
$6.66MADΒ 61.5
-40.99%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Settat
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$115MADΒ 1,060
169.69%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.4M
$6,295MADΒ 58.2K
-5.24%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Settat
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 210.8K
$42.80MADΒ 395
37.06%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 116.3K
$50.4MADΒ 465
-35.75%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 368.8K
$107MADΒ 992
-4.43%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 389.7K
$103MADΒ 951
5.37%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Settat
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$275MADΒ 2,542
73.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$172MADΒ 1,590
120.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$513MADΒ 4,738
63.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$301MADΒ 2,784
140.17%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.4M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Settat
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$220MADΒ 2,036
132.15%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4.75
182.74%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Settat: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $275 in Settat. 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 132% higher in Medellin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $33.00 in Settat. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $195 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 Settat: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Settat cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 44%, 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 $1,052 in Settat. 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 Settat, 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 Settat?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $701 in Settat. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for Medellin or Settat?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Settat, where all-in costs run around $701, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Settat it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Settat more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Settat 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 Settat?
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 Settat. 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.