πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $956 in Stary Oskol, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,498 in Stary Oskol, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $2,039 in Stary Oskol, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 6% more than Stary Oskol, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Stary Oskol are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Stary Oskol29% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Stary Oskol
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$9.75β½707
-38.97%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$37.37β½2,708
-10.81%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$5.84β½423
23.80%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$2.30β½167
-29.13%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$1.09β½78.8
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.52β½37.69
40.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$1.36β½98.9
27.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$2.50β½181
29.20%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Stary Oskol
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.10β½80.0
-4.55%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.67β½48.53
92.54%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.38β½100
-4.35%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$1.73β½125
31.21%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$10.63β½770
-59.08%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$4.94β½358
19.03%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$9.07β½657
-5.07%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.81β½131
24.31%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.89β½137
-43.39%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.91β½138
-20.42%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$2.76β½200
-48.55%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.84β½61.0
39.29%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.72β½51.9
62.50%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$1.40β½102
-36.43%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.72β½51.8
25.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$2.93β½212
-23.21%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$6.19β½448
78.35%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$0.97β½70.1
17.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.95β½141
22.05%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Stary Oskol
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.50β½36.11
68.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$1.95β½141
-27.69%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.35β½25.49
442.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$6.27β½454
23.60%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$0.72β½51.9
40.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$34.3Kβ½2.5M
-48.82%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$36.2Kβ½2.6M
-26.90%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Stary Oskol
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$112β½8,086
-25.01%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$5.82β½422
62.37%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$7.63β½553
215.99%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Stary Oskol
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$35.12β½2,545
-27.93%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$5.22β½379
-21.46%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Stary Oskol
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$325β½23.5K
-3.99%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$7,119β½515.9K
-15.82%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Stary Oskol
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$70.4β½5,101
-17.55%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$44.42β½3,219
-26.70%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$113β½8,193
-11.90%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$107β½7,757
1.39%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Stary Oskol
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$446β½32.3K
8.22%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$303β½21.9K
25.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$773β½56.0K
8.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$501β½36.3K
44.23%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$2,549β½184.7K
11.40%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$1,862β½134.9K
-34.30%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Stary Oskol
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
15.33
-12.39%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Stary Oskol: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $446 in Stary Oskol. 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 $37.00 in Stary Oskol. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $195 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 Stary Oskol: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stary Oskol cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 6%, and the gap shows up most in Getting Around. 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 $1,435 in Stary Oskol. 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 Stary Oskol, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Stary Oskol?
Interestingly, groceries are about 3% cheaper in Medellin β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Stary Oskol?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Stary Oskol, where all-in costs run around $956, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Stary Oskol it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Stary Oskol more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Stary Oskol 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 Stary Oskol. 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.