Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Suji-gu

For one person, living is cheaper in Suji-gu: $1,362 a month against $1,692 in Medellin, rent and utilities included – about $4,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Medellin, Colombia
Suji-gu, South Korea
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,692
/mo nomad
Suji-gu
🇰🇷 South Korea
$1,362
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Suji-gu

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 Suji-gu actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,692 per month in Medellin vs $1,362 in Suji-gu, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,692
  • Suji-gu $1,362

A couple spends around $2,471 per month in Medellin vs $2,251 in Suji-gu, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,471
  • Suji-gu $2,251

A family of three spends $3,249 per month in Medellin vs $3,139 in Suji-gu, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,249
  • Suji-gu $3,139

Medellin costs about 24% more than Suji-gu, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Suji-gu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.34 COP 27.0K
$5.86 ₩7,845
42.32%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.53 COP 150.9K
$34.38 ₩46.0K
35.34%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.47 COP 30.7K
$6.87 ₩9,199
37.85%
Cappuccino
$3.13 COP 10.2K
$3.71 ₩4,972
-15.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.77 COP 5,727
$1.53 ₩2,046
15.69%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.42 COP 4,619
$0.62 ₩825
129.03%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.15 COP 10.2K
$3.54 ₩4,737
-11.02%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.70 COP 18.5K
$4.44 ₩5,944
28.38%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Suji-gu
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.53 COP 4,969
$2.02 ₩2,702
-24.26%
White Bread (500g)
$2.29 COP 7,429
$3.05 ₩4,085
-24.92%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.94 COP 6,306
$2.63 ₩3,516
-26.24%
Eggs
$3.07 COP 9,942
$3.26 ₩4,358
-5.83%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.99 COP 32.4K
$15.46 ₩20.7K
-35.38%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.45 COP 33.9K
$10.41 ₩13.9K
0.38%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.96 COP 45.3K
$10.99 ₩14.7K
27.02%
Apples (1kg)
$4.05 COP 13.1K
$6.85 ₩9,165
-40.88%
Banana (1kg)
$1.53 COP 4,956
$2.43 ₩3,257
-37.04%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.10 COP 6,823
$4.51 ₩6,043
-53.44%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.29 COP 7,437
$6.28 ₩8,405
-63.54%
Potato (1kg)
$2.11 COP 6,839
$3.35 ₩4,486
-37.01%
Onion (1kg)
$1.71 COP 5,542
$2.50 ₩3,352
-31.60%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.17 COP 3,794
$2.07 ₩2,775
-43.48%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.58 COP 5,123
$1.14 ₩1,526
38.60%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.91 COP 12.7K
$3.30 ₩4,417
18.48%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.04 COP 45.5K
$13.76 ₩18.4K
2.03%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76 COP 5,712
$2.30 ₩3,085
-23.48%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.71 COP 8,793
$3.20 ₩4,280
-15.31%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Suji-gu
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.18 COP 3,825
$1.09 ₩1,457
8.26%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$76.3 COP 247.4K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.81 COP 5,859
$3.67 ₩4,910
-50.68%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.13 COP 6,904
$0.57 ₩757
273.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.13 COP 26.4K
$8.90 ₩11.9K
-8.65%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.28 COP 4,135
$1.34 ₩1,789
-4.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.4K COP 111.7M
$29.7K ₩39.8M
15.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.1K COP 110.7M
$27.9K ₩37.4M
22.25%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Suji-gu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$178 COP 576.3K
$211 ₩283.0K
-15.90%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.89 COP 45.0K
$35.23 ₩47.2K
-60.57%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.74 COP 99.7K
$20.77 ₩27.8K
48.00%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Suji-gu
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.94 COP 136.0K
$48.66 ₩65.2K
-13.81%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.80 COP 54.5K
$13.08 ₩17.5K
28.44%
Cinema Ticket
$7.47 COP 24.2K
$11.11 ₩14.9K
-32.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Suji-gu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$790 COP 2.6M
$447 ₩598.4K
76.79%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.3K COP 39.9M
$17.6K ₩23.5M
-30.03%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Suji-gu
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$86.3 COP 279.9K
$62.8 ₩84.1K
37.53%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.3 COP 192.2K
$32.96 ₩44.1K
79.79%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$138 COP 448.6K
$68.3 ₩91.5K
102.55%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$98.8 COP 320.4K
$80.5 ₩107.7K
22.81%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Suji-gu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,341 COP 4.3M
$536 ₩717.4K
150.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$667 COP 2.2M
$369 ₩494.6K
80.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,976 COP 6.4M
$1,386 ₩1.9M
42.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,033 COP 3.3M
$1,061 ₩1.4M
-2.65%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,098 COP 13.3M
$6,456 ₩8.6M
-36.53%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,940 COP 6.3M
$6,213 ₩8.3M
-68.78%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Suji-gu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$646 COP 2.1M
$1,132 ₩1.5M
-42.91%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
4.08
168.14%

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

Last update for Medellin: November 2, 2026

Last update for Suji-gu: November 3, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$667
Suji-gu
$369 44.6% $298
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$307
Suji-gu
$386 25.7% $79
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$222
Suji-gu
$267 20.2% $45
Eating Out
Medellin
$173
Suji-gu
$147 14.7% $25
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$172
Suji-gu
$110 36.1% $62
Getting Around
Medellin
$93
Suji-gu
$11 * 88.4% $83
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$57
Suji-gu
$71 24.6% $14

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,341 in Medellin versus $536 in Suji-gu. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 75% higher in Suji-gu, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin versus $34 in Suji-gu. Groceries tell a different story – $307 in Medellin vs $386 in Suji-gu – so Medellin wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇰🇷 Suji-gu
🕒 Local time
09:08 9:08 AM
23:08 11:08 PM
14 h ahead of Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
374,948
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

KRW, USD, EUR to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of November 4, 2026: 1 USD = 3,242 COP (10,000 COP = 3.08 USD). 1 EUR = 3,635 COP (10,000 COP = 2.75 EUR).

South Korean Won exchange rates as of November 4, 2026: 1 USD = 1,339 KRW (10,000 KRW = 7.47 USD). 1 EUR = 1,501 KRW (10,000 KRW = 6.66 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Suji-gu 14,630 km ≈ 19 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Suji-gu

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 Suji-gu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Suji-gu cheaper than Medellin?
Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 24%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in transport.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,538 per month in Medellin and $2,043 in Suji-gu. 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 Suji-gu, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $536 there versus $1,341 in Medellin.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or in Suji-gu?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin and $34 in Suji-gu. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and in Suji-gu?
Interestingly, groceries are about 20% cheaper in Medellin – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Suji-gu?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Suji-gu, where all-in costs run around $1,362, than in Medellin at $1,692. In Suji-gu it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Suji-gu more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Suji-gu – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

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