πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $957 in Sterlitamak, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,549 in Sterlitamak, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $2,141 in Sterlitamak, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 6% more than Sterlitamak, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Sterlitamak are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Sterlitamak29% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Sterlitamak
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$9.96β½727
-39.86%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$51.3β½3,745
-35.95%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$6.46β½471
9.75%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$2.59β½189
-33.98%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$0.78β½56.7
41.03%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.53β½38.63
47.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$1.82β½133
-7.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$1.49β½108
106.04%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Sterlitamak
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$1.04β½76.2
4.81%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$0.71β½51.5
77.46%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$1.47β½107
-6.12%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$1.76β½129
24.43%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$10.47β½764
-57.98%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$5.07β½370
11.05%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$8.62β½629
3.13%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$2.01β½147
16.42%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$2.00β½146
-47.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$2.68β½196
-44.03%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$2.93β½214
-52.90%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$0.69β½50.6
66.67%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$0.81β½59.0
43.21%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$1.77β½129
-49.72%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.53β½38.81
58.49%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$2.96β½216
-22.97%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$6.83β½499
55.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$0.92β½67.4
30.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$1.70β½124
45.29%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Sterlitamak
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$0.52β½38.01
65.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$1.96β½143
-25.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$0.51β½37.06
284.31%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$6.67β½487
16.04%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$0.72β½52.3
31.94%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$40.5Kβ½3.0M
-55.22%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$48.1Kβ½3.5M
-44.95%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Sterlitamak
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$103β½7,531
-20.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$5.16β½376
84.11%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$6.90β½504
251.16%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Sterlitamak
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$35.01β½2,555
-26.05%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$3.84β½280
2.34%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Sterlitamak
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$378β½27.6K
-18.14%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$5,118β½373.6K
16.55%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Sterlitamak
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$77.1β½5,628
-23.93%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$39.34β½2,872
-17.77%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$128β½9,365
-20.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$115β½8,365
-5.39%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Sterlitamak
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$445β½32.5K
7.02%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$300β½21.9K
26.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$769β½56.1K
9.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$508β½37.1K
42.56%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
$2,284β½166.7K
22.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$1,529β½111.6K
-20.79%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Sterlitamak
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$943β½68.9K
-45.75%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
9
49.22%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Sterlitamak: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $445 in Sterlitamak. 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 84% higher in Sterlitamak, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $51.0 in Sterlitamak. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $199 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 Sterlitamak: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sterlitamak 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 $1,519 per month in Medellin and $1,436 in Sterlitamak. 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 Sterlitamak, 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 Sterlitamak?
Interestingly, groceries are about 6% cheaper in Medellin β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for Medellin or Sterlitamak?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Sterlitamak, where all-in costs run around $957, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Sterlitamak it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Sterlitamak more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Sterlitamak 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 Sterlitamak. 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.