πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $1,018 in Subotica, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,526 in Subotica, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $2,034 in Subotica, rent included.
πMedellin is about 1% cheaper than Subotica, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Subotica are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Subotica24% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Subotica
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$9.63RSDΒ 969
-37.80%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$29.49RSDΒ 2,966
11.43%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$8.59RSDΒ 864
-17.46%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$2.03RSDΒ 204
-15.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$1.61RSDΒ 162
-31.68%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$1.04RSDΒ 104
-25.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$1.98RSDΒ 199
-15.15%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$2.15RSDΒ 216
42.79%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Subotica
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$1.46RSDΒ 147
-25.34%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$0.93RSDΒ 93.9
35.48%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$2.93RSDΒ 295
-52.90%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$2.67RSDΒ 269
-17.98%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$10.70RSDΒ 1,077
-58.88%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$7.24RSDΒ 728
-22.24%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$10.59RSDΒ 1,065
-16.05%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$1.38RSDΒ 139
69.57%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$1.80RSDΒ 181
-41.11%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$1.43RSDΒ 144
4.90%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$2.15RSDΒ 216
-35.81%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$1.08RSDΒ 109
6.48%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$0.78RSDΒ 78.1
48.72%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$0.61RSDΒ 61.1
45.90%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.71RSDΒ 71.2
18.31%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$4.43RSDΒ 445
-48.53%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$5.53RSDΒ 556
92.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$0.84RSDΒ 84.6
42.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$1.60RSDΒ 161
54.38%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Subotica
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$1.20RSDΒ 121
-28.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$1.78RSDΒ 179
-17.42%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$0.91RSDΒ 91.1
115.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$9.98RSDΒ 1,004
-22.44%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$1.76RSDΒ 177
-46.02%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$30.1KRSDΒ 3.0M
-39.84%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$26.5KRSDΒ 2.7M
-0.00%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Subotica
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$119RSDΒ 12.0K
-31.07%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$13.12RSDΒ 1,319
-27.59%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$32.67RSDΒ 3,286
-25.83%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Subotica
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$31.71RSDΒ 3,189
-18.35%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
$9.66RSDΒ 972
96.69%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$2.95RSDΒ 296
33.22%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Subotica
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$452RSDΒ 45.5K
-31.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$9,348RSDΒ 940.1K
-36.19%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Subotica
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$34.02RSDΒ 3,422
72.43%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$26.47RSDΒ 2,663
22.21%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$89.1RSDΒ 8,959
15.18%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$120RSDΒ 12.1K
-9.73%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Subotica
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$415RSDΒ 41.8K
14.65%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$332RSDΒ 33.4K
14.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$592RSDΒ 59.6K
41.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$541RSDΒ 54.4K
33.73%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
$2,480RSDΒ 249.4K
12.54%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$1,719RSDΒ 172.9K
-29.55%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Subotica
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$908RSDΒ 91.3K
-43.62%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.59
140.25%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Subotica: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $415 in Subotica. 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 77% higher in Subotica, 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 $29.00 in Subotica. Groceries tell a different story β $188 in Medellin vs $215 in Subotica β so Medellin wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Subotica: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Subotica cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Subotica is pricier by about 1%, 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 $1,528 in Subotica. 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.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Subotica?
Groceries cost about 14% more in Subotica, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Subotica?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,013, than in Subotica at $1,018. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Subotica it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Subotica 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 Subotica?
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, Subotica makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.