πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $3,334 in Stabio, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $5,226 in Stabio, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $7,118 in Stabio, rent included.
πMedellin is about 70% cheaper than Stabio, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πMedellin sits 24% below the global median, while Stabio is 148% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Stabio
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 21.2K
$31.01CHFΒ 24.78
-80.81%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 118.9K
$169CHFΒ 135
-80.22%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.8K
$18.32CHFΒ 14.65
-60.53%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,811
$4.25CHFΒ 3.40
-61.65%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,904
$4.89CHFΒ 3.91
-77.71%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,604
$4.09CHFΒ 3.27
-82.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,197
$7.31CHFΒ 5.84
-76.20%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.5K
$7.36CHFΒ 5.89
-56.11%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Stabio
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,742
$2.24CHFΒ 1.79
-53.13%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,614
$3.62CHFΒ 2.89
-64.36%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,718
$4.68CHFΒ 3.74
-71.79%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 8,101
$6.74CHFΒ 5.38
-66.32%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.5K
$26.95CHFΒ 21.54
-83.86%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 21.0K
$35.36CHFΒ 28.26
-83.37%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.7K
$45.05CHFΒ 36.01
-80.89%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 8,015
$3.19CHFΒ 2.55
-29.47%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,814
$1.94CHFΒ 1.55
-44.85%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,438
$2.50CHFΒ 2.00
-39.20%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 5,073
$7.34CHFΒ 5.87
-80.65%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,173
$2.27CHFΒ 1.81
-48.46%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,166
$2.30CHFΒ 1.84
-49.13%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,163
$2.52CHFΒ 2.02
-64.68%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,215
$1.26CHFΒ 1.01
-28.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 8,008
$10.41CHFΒ 8.32
-78.39%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 39.4K
$12.74CHFΒ 10.18
-13.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 4,063
$2.57CHFΒ 2.05
-55.64%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,483
$4.22CHFΒ 3.38
-43.60%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Stabio
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,979
$3.83CHFΒ 3.06
-78.07%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 149.6K
$97.2CHFΒ 77.7
-56.83%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 5,019
$6.70CHFΒ 5.35
-78.96%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,779
$4.56CHFΒ 3.65
-58.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.6K
$61.0CHFΒ 48.75
-87.29%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,586
$2.15CHFΒ 1.72
-53.02%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 62.7M
$41.1KCHFΒ 32.9K
-57.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.5M
$37.3KCHFΒ 29.8K
-29.04%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Stabio
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 298.4K
$205CHFΒ 164
-59.19%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.7K
$67.8CHFΒ 54.2
-86.06%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 86.0K
$53.9CHFΒ 43.04
-55.23%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Stabio
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 90.3K
$88.2CHFΒ 70.5
-71.29%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 68.3K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.6K
$18.43CHFΒ 14.73
-77.75%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Stabio
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$1,236CHFΒ 988
-74.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 21.4M
$35.2KCHFΒ 28.1K
-82.97%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Stabio
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 207.0K
$107CHFΒ 85.4
-45.66%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 116.1K
$47.56CHFΒ 38.01
-31.54%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 355.3K
$134CHFΒ 107
-25.56%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 387.1K
$149CHFΒ 119
-27.16%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Stabio
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$1,708CHFΒ 1,365
-71.76%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$1,474CHFΒ 1,178
-74.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 3.0M
$2,804CHFΒ 2,242
-70.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.6M
$2,461CHFΒ 1,967
-70.62%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 10.1M
$15.9KCHFΒ 12.7K
-82.13%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.4M
$10.8KCHFΒ 8,641
-88.69%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Stabio
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
2.5
437.20%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Stabio: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $1,708 in Stabio. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $169 in Stabio. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $655 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 Stabio: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stabio cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Stabio is pricier by about 228%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. 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 $5,002 in Stabio. 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 Stabio?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $3,334 in Stabio. 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 Stabio?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,017, than in Stabio at $3,334. 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 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 Stabio?
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, Stabio makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.