πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $817 in Shinas, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,214 in Shinas, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $1,610 in Shinas, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 24% more than Shinas, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and Shinas are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Shinas39% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Shinas
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$5.16OMRΒ 1.99
16.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$25.55OMRΒ 9.84
28.61%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$7.58OMRΒ 2.92
-6.46%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$4.76OMRΒ 1.83
-64.08%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$1.06OMRΒ 0.41
3.77%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.34OMRΒ 0.13
129.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$12.19OMRΒ 4.69
-86.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$11.81OMRΒ 4.55
-74.01%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Shinas
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$1.93OMRΒ 0.74
-43.52%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$1.18OMRΒ 0.45
6.78%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$1.73OMRΒ 0.67
-20.23%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$2.38OMRΒ 0.92
-7.98%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$3.73OMRΒ 1.43
17.96%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$4.96OMRΒ 1.91
13.51%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$8.62OMRΒ 3.32
3.13%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$2.62OMRΒ 1.01
-10.69%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$1.73OMRΒ 0.67
-38.73%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$1.77OMRΒ 0.68
-15.25%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$1.17OMRΒ 0.45
17.95%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$1.01OMRΒ 0.39
13.86%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$0.99OMRΒ 0.38
17.17%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$1.04OMRΒ 0.40
-14.42%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.52OMRΒ 0.20
61.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$6.44OMRΒ 2.48
-64.60%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$15.86OMRΒ 6.11
-32.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$4.37OMRΒ 1.68
-72.54%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$7.75OMRΒ 2.98
-68.13%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Shinas
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$3.19OMRΒ 1.23
-53.92%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$0.79OMRΒ 0.30
148.10%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$10.29OMRΒ 3.96
-24.78%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$0.59OMRΒ 0.23
61.02%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$22.8KOMRΒ 8,779
-20.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$21.7KOMRΒ 8,368
21.86%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Shinas
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$106OMRΒ 40.81
-22.40%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$41.81OMRΒ 16.10
-77.28%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$70.7OMRΒ 27.21
-65.72%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Shinas
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$10.28OMRΒ 3.96
-61.77%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Shinas
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$196OMRΒ 75.3
58.17%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$9,761OMRΒ 3,758
-38.89%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Shinas
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$50.2OMRΒ 19.32
16.88%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$39.84OMRΒ 15.34
-18.80%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$77.9OMRΒ 30.00
31.67%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$88.8OMRΒ 34.17
22.17%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Shinas
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
-
-
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 10.0M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Shinas
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$3,087OMRΒ 1,188
-83.42%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.15
160.78%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Shinas: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π°Salaries run about 503% higher in Shinas, 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 $26.00 in Shinas. Groceries tell a different story β $188 in Medellin vs $230 in Shinas 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 Shinas: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shinas cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 24%, 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 $1,226 in Shinas. 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 Shinas?
Interestingly, groceries are about 22% 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 Shinas?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Shinas, where all-in costs run around $817, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Shinas it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Shinas more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Shinas β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Shinas. 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.