Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and SolnaCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Solna
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $1,773 in Solna, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $2,691 in Solna, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $3,610 in Solna, rent included.
πMedellin is about 43% cheaper than Solna, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πMedellin sits 24% below the global median, while Solna is 32% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Solna
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$14.78SEKΒ 138
-59.47%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$56.1SEKΒ 523
-41.38%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$10.42SEKΒ 97.2
-31.96%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$5.02SEKΒ 46.87
-65.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$3.19SEKΒ 29.81
-65.52%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$1.51SEKΒ 14.10
-48.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$7.63SEKΒ 71.2
-77.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$8.13SEKΒ 75.8
-62.24%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Solna
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$1.56SEKΒ 14.53
-30.13%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$2.67SEKΒ 24.91
-52.81%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$3.78SEKΒ 35.24
-63.49%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$3.92SEKΒ 36.60
-44.13%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$9.56SEKΒ 89.2
-53.97%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$12.28SEKΒ 115
-54.15%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$14.88SEKΒ 139
-40.26%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$1.66SEKΒ 15.45
40.96%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$2.16SEKΒ 20.13
-50.93%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$2.60SEKΒ 24.28
-42.31%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$3.19SEKΒ 29.74
-56.74%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$1.55SEKΒ 14.43
-25.81%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$2.04SEKΒ 19.02
-43.14%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$2.35SEKΒ 21.90
-62.13%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$1.11SEKΒ 10.38
-24.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$7.55SEKΒ 70.4
-69.80%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$14.78SEKΒ 138
-28.01%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$1.40SEKΒ 13.07
-14.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$0.91SEKΒ 8.48
171.43%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Solna
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$4.54SEKΒ 42.40
-81.06%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
$100SEKΒ 936
-58.74%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$3.78SEKΒ 35.23
-61.11%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$1.58SEKΒ 14.74
24.05%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$85.5SEKΒ 798
-90.95%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$1.96SEKΒ 18.26
-51.53%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$27.2KSEKΒ 253.7K
-33.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$30.1KSEKΒ 281.2K
-12.11%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Solna
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$109SEKΒ 1,014
-24.35%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$28.80SEKΒ 269
-67.01%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$41.35SEKΒ 386
-41.40%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Solna
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$47.03SEKΒ 439
-44.95%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
$25.68SEKΒ 240
-26.01%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$15.01SEKΒ 140
-73.82%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Solna
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$157SEKΒ 1,467
96.78%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$4,218SEKΒ 39.4K
41.43%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Solna
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$93.5SEKΒ 873
-37.28%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$42.46SEKΒ 396
-23.81%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$93.7SEKΒ 874
9.52%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$52.5SEKΒ 490
106.45%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Solna
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$840SEKΒ 7,841
-43.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$657SEKΒ 6,130
-42.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$1,416SEKΒ 13.2K
-40.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$1,090SEKΒ 10.2K
-33.61%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
$7,167SEKΒ 66.9K
-61.06%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$5,298SEKΒ 49.4K
-77.14%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Solna
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$3,958SEKΒ 36.9K
-87.07%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4.8
179.79%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Solna: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $840 in Solna. 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 673% higher in Solna, 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 $56.0 in Solna. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $325 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 Solna: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Solna cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Solna is pricier by about 75%, 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 $2,659 in Solna. 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 Medellin, 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 Solna?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $1,773 in Solna. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Solna?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,013, than in Solna at $1,773. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Solna it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Solna more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Medellin 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 Solna?
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 Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Solna makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.