😐A single person spends $1,028 per month in Medellin vs $767 in Sliven, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,586 per month in Medellin vs $1,227 in Sliven, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,144 per month in Medellin vs $1,686 in Sliven, rent included.
😐Medellin costs about 34% more than Sliven, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Medellin and Sliven are more affordable than the global median – Medellin23% lower, Sliven42% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Sliven
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.00COP 20.6K
$8.66BGN 14.40
-30.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.84COP 112.9K
$35.42BGN 58.9
-7.28%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.42COP 25.5K
$8.80BGN 14.64
-15.68%
Cappuccino
$1.65COP 5,675
$1.91BGN 3.18
-13.61%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07COP 3,673
$1.29BGN 2.14
-17.05%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76COP 2,614
$0.88BGN 1.46
-13.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,925
$1.73BGN 2.88
-0.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20COP 11.0K
$2.32BGN 3.86
37.93%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Sliven
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COP 3,607
$1.52BGN 2.53
-30.92%
White Bread(500g)
$1.31COP 4,492
$0.81BGN 1.35
61.73%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.34COP 4,604
$2.20BGN 3.67
-39.09%
Eggs
$2.19COP 7,543
$2.21BGN 3.68
-0.90%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.41COP 15.2K
$8.45BGN 14.06
-47.81%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.69COP 19.6K
$5.47BGN 9.10
4.02%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.52COP 29.3K
$6.94BGN 11.54
22.77%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COP 8,046
$1.45BGN 2.42
61.38%
Banana(1kg)
$1.11COP 3,815
$1.64BGN 2.73
-32.32%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COP 5,225
$1.49BGN 2.48
2.01%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COP 4,694
$2.29BGN 3.80
-40.17%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COP 3,962
$0.48BGN 0.80
139.58%
Onion(1kg)
$1.18COP 4,055
$0.86BGN 1.44
37.21%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.84COP 2,893
$1.04BGN 1.73
-19.23%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86COP 2,940
$0.49BGN 0.81
75.51%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.26COP 7,776
$3.44BGN 5.73
-34.30%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.60COP 39.9K
$6.39BGN 10.64
81.53%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COP 4,121
$1.05BGN 1.74
14.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COP 8,508
$1.33BGN 2.21
86.47%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Sliven
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COP 2,729
$0.74BGN 1.23
6.76%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.83COP 140.4K
$36.54BGN 60.8
11.74%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COP 5,038
$1.15BGN 1.91
27.83%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.92COP 6,587
$0.74BGN 1.23
159.46%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.77COP 26.7K
$9.05BGN 15.05
-14.14%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COP 3,474
$1.49BGN 2.48
-32.21%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.7KCOP 60.7M
$32.5KBGN 54.1K
-45.74%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOP 90.9M
$28.7KBGN 47.7K
-7.83%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Sliven
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.1COP 278.8K
$86.8BGN 144
-6.56%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.43COP 32.4K
$17.87BGN 29.73
-47.23%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.86COP 82.0K
$9.65BGN 16.06
147.25%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Sliven
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.99COP 89.4K
$23.28BGN 38.73
11.64%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.71COP 64.3K
$14.87BGN 24.74
25.82%
Cinema Ticket
$4.09COP 14.1K
$5.82BGN 9.68
-29.73%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Sliven
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$315COP 1.1M
$421BGN 700
-25.29%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,022COP 20.7M
$7,091BGN 11.8K
-15.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Sliven
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.7COP 205.2K
$59.1BGN 98.4
0.95%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.97COP 109.9K
$23.41BGN 38.95
36.57%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101COP 347.9K
$71.1BGN 118
42.44%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$105COP 361.3K
$62.7BGN 104
67.56%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Sliven
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$485COP 1.7M
$239BGN 397
103.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$365COP 1.3M
$145BGN 241
151.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$827COP 2.8M
$334BGN 555
147.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$730COP 2.5M
$269BGN 448
171.26%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,992COP 10.3M
$1,172BGN 1,950
155.22%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,314COP 4.5M
$963BGN 1,603
36.41%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Sliven
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$551COP 1.9M
$1,355BGN 2,253
-59.34%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4.25
216.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 15, 2026
Last update for Sliven: June 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $485 in Medellin versus $239 in Sliven. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 146% higher in Sliven, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $35.00 in Sliven. Groceries tell a different story – $190 in Medellin vs $183 in Sliven – so Sliven 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 Sliven: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sliven cheaper than Medellin?
Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 34%, 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 $1,542 per month in Medellin and $1,151 in Sliven. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Sliven, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or in Sliven?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin and $35.00 in Sliven. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin and in Sliven?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,028 in Medellin and $767 in Sliven. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Sliven?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Sliven, where all-in costs run around $767, than in Medellin at $1,028. In Sliven it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Sliven more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Sliven – 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 Sliven?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Sliven. 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.