Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Sundsvall Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Sundsvall

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,031 per month in Medellin vs $1,756 in Sundsvall, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,599 per month in Medellin vs $2,619 in Sundsvall, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,167 per month in Medellin vs $3,482 in Sundsvall, rent included.

Medellin is about 41% cheaper than Sundsvall, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Medellin sits 23% below the global median, while Sundsvall is 31% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Sundsvall
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.16 COP 20.1K
$12.87 SEK 125
-52.14%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.60 COP 106.1K
$85.3 SEK 826
-61.77%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.34 COP 23.9K
$10.42 SEK 101
-29.56%
Cappuccino
$1.72 COP 5,599
$4.54 SEK 43.91
-62.11%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05 COP 3,420
$2.46 SEK 23.78
-57.32%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77 COP 2,515
$2.05 SEK 19.89
-62.44%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.69 COP 5,487
$7.82 SEK 75.7
-78.39%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.17 COP 10.3K
$8.15 SEK 78.9
-61.10%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Sundsvall
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.05 COP 3,423
$1.57 SEK 15.23
-33.12%
White Bread (500g)
$1.30 COP 4,236
$3.34 SEK 32.38
-61.08%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.40 COP 4,544
$3.82 SEK 36.95
-63.35%
Eggs
$2.16 COP 7,046
$3.73 SEK 36.09
-42.09%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.39 COP 14.3K
$10.14 SEK 98.1
-56.71%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.88 COP 19.1K
$10.31 SEK 99.8
-42.97%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.64 COP 28.1K
$18.41 SEK 178
-53.07%
Apples (1kg)
$2.28 COP 7,425
$2.84 SEK 27.47
-19.72%
Banana (1kg)
$1.11 COP 3,603
$2.44 SEK 23.64
-54.51%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.53 COP 4,982
$2.57 SEK 24.91
-40.47%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.35 COP 4,410
$4.06 SEK 39.32
-66.75%
Potato (1kg)
$1.13 COP 3,674
$1.51 SEK 14.66
-25.17%
Onion (1kg)
$1.13 COP 3,692
$1.42 SEK 13.78
-20.42%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.85 COP 2,753
$1.88 SEK 18.19
-54.79%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91 COP 2,975
$1.03 SEK 10.01
-11.65%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.34 COP 7,629
$7.70 SEK 74.5
-69.61%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.37 COP 40.3K
$9.27 SEK 89.8
33.44%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20 COP 3,909
$1.64 SEK 15.93
-26.83%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49 COP 8,104
$1.56 SEK 15.10
59.62%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Sundsvall
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.84 COP 2,727
$3.36 SEK 32.52
-75.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$40.57 COP 132.1K
$85.8 SEK 831
-52.73%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.42 COP 4,623
$6.45 SEK 62.5
-77.98%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.92 COP 6,235
$1.22 SEK 11.84
57.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.66 COP 24.9K
$63.1 SEK 611
-87.85%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.99 COP 3,223
$1.90 SEK 18.39
-47.89%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.0K COP 58.7M
$26.7K SEK 258.7K
-32.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.6K COP 86.7M
$26.9K SEK 260.8K
-1.15%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Sundsvall
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$80.8 COP 263.1K
$132 SEK 1,273
-38.55%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.95 COP 32.4K
$29.93 SEK 290
-66.76%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.18 COP 78.7K
$25.77 SEK 250
-6.17%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Sundsvall
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$25.08 COP 81.6K
$37.95 SEK 367
-33.91%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.15 COP 62.3K
$26.04 SEK 252
-26.46%
Cinema Ticket
$3.98 COP 13.0K
$14.75 SEK 143
-73.02%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Sundsvall
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$305 COP 993.4K
$145 SEK 1,404
110.41%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,059 COP 19.7M
$4,164 SEK 40.3K
45.50%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Sundsvall
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.1 COP 189.2K
$94.0 SEK 910
-38.19%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.20 COP 104.8K
$30.77 SEK 298
4.65%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$101 COP 327.9K
$77.5 SEK 750
29.99%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108 COP 350.8K
$131 SEK 1,266
-17.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Sundsvall
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$477 COP 1.6M
$837 SEK 8,105
-43.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$376 COP 1.2M
$634 SEK 6,140
-40.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$845 COP 2.7M
$1,191 SEK 11.5K
-29.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$730 COP 2.4M
$869 SEK 8,413
-15.94%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,215 COP 10.5M
$2,466 SEK 23.9K
30.39%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,372 COP 4.5M
$1,293 SEK 12.5K
6.16%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Sundsvall
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$617 COP 2.0M
$3,018 SEK 29.2K
-79.56%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.43
4.48
199.78%

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

Last update for Medellin: July 12, 2026

Last update for Sundsvall: July 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $477 in Medellin versus $837 in Sundsvall. 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 389% higher in Sundsvall, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $85.0 in Sundsvall. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $193 vs $333 – 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 Sundsvall: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sundsvall cheaper than Medellin?
Yes – Sundsvall is pricier by about 70%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. 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 $1,546 per month in Medellin and $2,634 in Sundsvall. 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 Medellin, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or in Sundsvall?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin and $85.0 in Sundsvall. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin and in Sundsvall?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,031 in Medellin and $1,756 in Sundsvall. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Sundsvall?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,031, than in Sundsvall at $1,756. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Sundsvall it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Sundsvall more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Medellin – 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 Sundsvall?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – 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, Sundsvall makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Medellin vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities