πA single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $615 in Shurugwi, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $990 in Shurugwi, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $1,364 in Shurugwi, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 68% more than Shurugwi, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Medellin and Shurugwi are more affordable than the global median β Medellin23% lower, Shurugwi54% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Shurugwi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.4K
$9.81ZWLΒ 248
-39.65%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COPΒ 118.2K
$40.49ZWLΒ 1,024
-19.12%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COPΒ 26.0K
$7.14ZWLΒ 181
0.84%
Cappuccino
$1.70COPΒ 6,140
$1.73ZWLΒ 43.75
-1.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,966
$0.72ZWLΒ 18.18
52.78%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COPΒ 2,605
$0.44ZWLΒ 11.13
63.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COPΒ 6,022
$1.47ZWLΒ 37.08
13.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COPΒ 11.2K
$2.05ZWLΒ 51.9
51.22%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Shurugwi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,809
$1.56ZWLΒ 39.45
-32.05%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COPΒ 4,497
$0.97ZWLΒ 24.55
28.87%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COPΒ 5,022
$1.89ZWLΒ 47.83
-26.46%
Eggs
$2.26COPΒ 8,168
$2.11ZWLΒ 53.3
7.11%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COPΒ 15.6K
$10.79ZWLΒ 273
-59.87%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COPΒ 21.1K
$6.54ZWLΒ 165
-10.70%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COPΒ 31.9K
$6.32ZWLΒ 160
39.72%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COPΒ 8,099
$2.90ZWLΒ 73.5
-22.76%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COPΒ 3,882
$1.67ZWLΒ 42.28
-35.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COPΒ 5,522
$2.21ZWLΒ 55.8
-30.77%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,950
$1.70ZWLΒ 42.99
-19.41%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COPΒ 4,078
$1.55ZWLΒ 39.20
-27.10%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COPΒ 4,036
$1.98ZWLΒ 50.1
-43.43%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COPΒ 3,057
$1.02ZWLΒ 25.76
-16.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COPΒ 3,281
$0.93ZWLΒ 23.65
-2.15%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COPΒ 8,414
$1.07ZWLΒ 27.17
117.76%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COPΒ 40.2K
$8.57ZWLΒ 217
29.87%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COPΒ 4,309
$1.12ZWLΒ 28.35
6.25%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COPΒ 8,553
$1.72ZWLΒ 43.47
37.79%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Shurugwi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,838
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COPΒ 148.5K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,184
$5.03ZWLΒ 127
-71.37%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COPΒ 6,901
$2.05ZWLΒ 51.8
-6.83%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COPΒ 28.9K
$4.85ZWLΒ 123
65.36%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COPΒ 3,385
$1.62ZWLΒ 40.96
-41.98%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOPΒ 64.7M
$20.0KZWLΒ 505.5K
-10.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOPΒ 96.7M
$23.2KZWLΒ 586.4K
15.58%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Shurugwi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COPΒ 303.1K
$58.9ZWLΒ 1,491
42.50%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COPΒ 34.7K
$17.53ZWLΒ 444
-45.24%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COPΒ 87.2K
$91.3ZWLΒ 2,311
-73.55%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Shurugwi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COPΒ 93.4K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COPΒ 68.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COPΒ 14.1K
$10.05ZWLΒ 254
-61.00%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Shurugwi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COPΒ 1.1M
$273ZWLΒ 6,905
12.25%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COPΒ 21.4M
$7,340ZWLΒ 185.7K
-19.37%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Shurugwi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COPΒ 209.1K
$19.75ZWLΒ 500
193.22%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COPΒ 114.9K
$21.09ZWLΒ 534
50.88%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COPΒ 360.6K
$35.20ZWLΒ 891
183.81%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COPΒ 386.8K
$39.81ZWLΒ 1,007
169.13%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Shurugwi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COPΒ 1.8M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COPΒ 1.3M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COPΒ 3.0M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COPΒ 2.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COPΒ 10.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COPΒ 5.1M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Shurugwi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COPΒ 2.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
13.31
0.90%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026
Last update for Shurugwi: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $40.00 in Shurugwi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $217 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 Shurugwi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shurugwi cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 68%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. 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 $1,550 per month in Medellin and $923 in Shurugwi. 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 Shurugwi?
Interestingly, groceries are about 14% 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 Shurugwi?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Shurugwi, where all-in costs run around $615, than in Medellin at $1,034. In Shurugwi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Shurugwi more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Shurugwi 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 Shurugwi. 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.