Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and SumyCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Sumy
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $703 in Sumy, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,069 in Sumy, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $1,435 in Sumy, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 45% more than Sumy, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Sumy are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Sumy48% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Sumy
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$7.32β΄329
-18.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$14.77β΄664
125.66%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$6.00β΄269
20.50%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$1.03β΄46.47
58.25%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.66β΄29.87
65.15%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.45β΄20.30
62.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$0.82β΄36.87
112.20%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$1.12β΄50.3
188.39%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Sumy
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.10β΄49.51
-4.55%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.77β΄34.52
67.53%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.85β΄83.2
-28.65%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.02β΄90.9
12.38%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$9.90β΄445
-56.06%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$4.49β΄202
30.96%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$7.63β΄343
12.84%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$0.97β΄43.71
131.96%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.48β΄66.7
-27.70%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.78β΄79.9
-14.61%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$2.23β΄100
-36.32%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.50β΄22.60
134.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.59β΄26.40
98.31%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$1.35β΄60.5
-34.07%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.55β΄24.68
63.64%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$2.84β΄127
-20.77%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$5.71β΄257
93.35%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$0.89β΄40.03
28.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.54β΄69.2
54.55%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Sumy
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.37β΄16.80
127.03%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$2.04β΄91.6
-30.88%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.35β΄15.70
442.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$4.32β΄194
79.40%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.33β΄59.6
-24.06%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$31.3Kβ΄1.4M
-43.89%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$24.6Kβ΄1.1M
7.68%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Sumy
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$111β΄4,975
-24.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$5.81β΄261
62.65%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$6.84β΄307
252.49%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Sumy
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$29.40β΄1,321
-13.91%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$6.06β΄272
215.84%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$2.83β΄127
44.88%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Sumy
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$375β΄16.8K
-16.79%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$7,722β΄346.9K
-22.39%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Sumy
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$48.03β΄2,158
20.84%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$35.29β΄1,585
-7.74%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$102β΄4,564
-1.93%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$113β΄5,064
-3.70%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Sumy
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$228β΄10.2K
111.40%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$143β΄6,430
165.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$349β΄15.7K
140.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$219β΄9,825
230.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$914β΄41.1K
210.57%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$528β΄23.7K
131.86%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Sumy
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$407β΄18.3K
32.89%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
12
11.92%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Sumy: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $228 in Sumy. 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 33% higher in Medellin, 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 $15.00 in Sumy. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $175 β making Sumy 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 Sumy: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sumy cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 45%, 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 $1,054 in Sumy. 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 Sumy, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Groceries cost about 8% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for Medellin or Sumy?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Sumy, where all-in costs run around $703, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Sumy it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Sumy more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Sumy 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 Sumy. 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.