Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Stabio

For one person, living is cheaper in Medellin: $1,625 a month against $3,425 in Stabio, rent and utilities included – about $21,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Medellin, Colombia
Stabio, Switzerland
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,625
/mo nomad
Stabio
🇨🇭 Switzerland
$3,425
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Stabio

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Medellin and in Stabio actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,625 per month in Medellin vs $3,425 in Stabio, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,625
  • Stabio $3,425

A couple spends around $2,412 per month in Medellin vs $5,492 in Stabio, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,412
  • Stabio $5,492

A family of three spends $3,199 per month in Medellin vs $7,560 in Stabio, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,199
  • Stabio $7,560

Medellin is about 53% cheaper than Stabio, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Medellin and Stabio sit above the global median – Medellin by 20%, Stabio by 153%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Stabio
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.30 COP 26.1K
$34.94 CHF 28.89
-76.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.91 COP 147.5K
$177 CHF 147
-73.55%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.24 COP 29.1K
$19.37 CHF 16.01
-52.30%
Cappuccino
$3.05 COP 9,597
$4.81 CHF 3.98
-36.59%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80 COP 5,660
$5.54 CHF 4.58
-67.51%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38 COP 4,346
$4.37 CHF 3.62
-68.42%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.24 COP 10.2K
$9.66 CHF 7.99
-66.46%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.56 COP 17.5K
$7.30 CHF 6.03
-23.84%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Stabio
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.50 COP 4,721
$2.16 CHF 1.79
-30.56%
White Bread (500g)
$2.37 COP 7,447
$3.67 CHF 3.04
-35.42%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.70 COP 5,333
$4.22 CHF 3.49
-59.72%
Eggs
$2.96 COP 9,302
$7.01 CHF 5.79
-57.77%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.22 COP 32.1K
$26.24 CHF 21.69
-61.05%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.74 COP 30.6K
$28.39 CHF 23.47
-65.69%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.90 COP 43.7K
$39.68 CHF 32.80
-64.97%
Apples (1kg)
$4.13 COP 13.0K
$3.36 CHF 2.78
22.92%
Banana (1kg)
$1.53 COP 4,799
$1.65 CHF 1.37
-7.27%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.22 COP 6,994
$2.56 CHF 2.12
-13.28%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.27 COP 7,136
$5.41 CHF 4.48
-58.04%
Potato (1kg)
$1.99 COP 6,259
$1.78 CHF 1.47
11.80%
Onion (1kg)
$1.67 COP 5,242
$2.08 CHF 1.72
-19.71%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.18 COP 3,712
$2.28 CHF 1.89
-48.25%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24 COP 3,887
$1.23 CHF 1.01
0.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.87 COP 12.2K
$10.85 CHF 8.97
-64.33%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.78 COP 43.3K
$14.42 CHF 11.92
-4.44%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.66 COP 5,213
$3.01 CHF 2.49
-44.85%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.40 COP 7,553
$3.90 CHF 3.22
-38.46%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Stabio
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.24 COP 3,911
$3.93 CHF 3.25
-68.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$78.2 COP 246.0K
$115 CHF 95.2
-32.09%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.28 COP 4,011
$7.18 CHF 5.94
-82.17%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.15 COP 6,748
$5.71 CHF 4.72
-62.35%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.37 COP 26.3K
$36.82 CHF 30.43
-77.27%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 COP 4,253
$2.33 CHF 1.92
-42.06%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.8K COP 109.3M
$38.8K CHF 32.0K
-10.32%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7K COP 109.1M
$40.0K CHF 33.0K
-13.21%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Stabio
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$167 COP 524.1K
$284 CHF 235
-41.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.62 COP 42.8K
$25.68 CHF 21.22
-46.96%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.12 COP 91.6K
$49.18 CHF 40.65
-40.79%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Stabio
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.09 COP 141.8K
$102 CHF 83.9
-55.60%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.18 COP 54.0K
$48.09 CHF 39.75
-64.28%
Cinema Ticket
$6.97 COP 21.9K
$21.37 CHF 17.67
-67.38%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Stabio
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$790 COP 2.5M
$3,227 CHF 2,668
-75.52%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,041 COP 28.4M
$34.9K CHF 28.8K
-74.06%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Stabio
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$87.8 COP 276.1K
$109 CHF 89.8
-19.14%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.2 COP 182.9K
$49.00 CHF 40.51
18.67%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$139 COP 437.1K
$153 CHF 127
-9.38%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$98.9 COP 310.9K
$166 CHF 138
-40.57%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Stabio
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,028 COP 3.2M
$1,798 CHF 1,486
-42.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$620 COP 1.9M
$1,450 CHF 1,199
-57.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,881 COP 5.9M
$3,344 CHF 2,764
-43.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,008 COP 3.2M
$2,728 CHF 2,255
-63.07%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,988 COP 12.5M
$16.5K CHF 13.7K
-75.87%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,702 COP 5.4M
$12.8K CHF 10.6K
-86.70%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Stabio
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$663 COP 2.1M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
1.9
475.79%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Medellin: October 19, 2026

Last update for Stabio: October 18, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$619
Stabio
$1.4K 134% $830
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$298
Stabio
$592 98.8% $294
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$209
Stabio
$359 71.4% $149
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$173
Stabio
$215 24.4% $42
Eating Out
Medellin
$171
Stabio
$498 192% $327
Getting Around
Medellin
$95
Stabio
$167 75% $71
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$59
Stabio
$144 144% $85

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,028 in Medellin versus $1,798 in Stabio. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin versus $177 in Stabio. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $298 vs $592 – making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇨🇭 Stabio
🕒 Local time
11:52 11:52 AM
17:52 5:52 PM
6 h ahead of Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
4,600
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

CHF, USD, EUR to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of October 26, 2026: 1 USD = 3,145 COP (10,000 COP = 3.18 USD). 1 EUR = 3,521 COP (10,000 COP = 2.84 EUR).

Swiss Franc exchange rates as of October 26, 2026: 1 USD = 0.827 CHF (1 CHF = 1.21 USD). 1 EUR = 0.926 CHF (1 CHF = 1.08 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Stabio 9,090 km ≈ 12 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Stabio

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Stabio: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Stabio?
Yes – Stabio is pricier by about 111%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in eating out.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,437 per month in Medellin and $5,137 in Stabio. 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 Medellin, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,028 there versus $1,798 in Stabio.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or in Stabio?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin and $177 in Stabio. 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 Stabio?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,625 in Medellin and $3,425 in Stabio. That’s a gap of about 111%.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Stabio?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,625, than in Stabio at $3,425. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Stabio it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Stabio more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Medellin – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
For expats, Medellin is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and the 111% gap matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

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