Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and SiayaCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Siaya
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $130 in Siaya, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $220 in Siaya, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $309 in Siaya, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 681% more than Siaya, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Medellin and Siaya are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Siaya90% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Siaya
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
-
-
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Siaya
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$0.76KESΒ 98.4
38.16%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.45KESΒ 58.1
186.67%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.26KESΒ 163
4.76%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$1.69KESΒ 220
34.32%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$9.42KESΒ 1,221
-53.82%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$5.49KESΒ 712
7.10%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$3.90KESΒ 506
120.77%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.83KESΒ 237
22.95%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.04KESΒ 135
2.88%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.58KESΒ 205
-3.80%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$0.94KESΒ 122
51.06%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.80KESΒ 103
46.25%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.84KESΒ 108
39.29%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.51KESΒ 66.4
76.47%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
-
-
π Getting Around
Medellin
Siaya
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
-
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Siaya
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
-
-
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Siaya
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
-
-
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Siaya
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
-
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Siaya
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
-
-
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Siaya
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Siaya
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Siaya: June 9, 2026
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 Siaya: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Siaya cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 681%, 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 $1,525 per month in Medellin and $195 in Siaya. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Siaya?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $130 in Siaya. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Siaya?
Groceries cost about 48% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Siaya?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Siaya, where all-in costs run around $130, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Siaya it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Siaya more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Siaya 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 Siaya. 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.