πA single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $955 in Surgut, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $1,493 in Surgut, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $2,030 in Surgut, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 8% more than Surgut, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Surgut are more affordable than the global median β Medellin23% lower, Surgut29% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Surgut
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.4K
$9.34β½701
-36.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COPΒ 118.2K
$38.52β½2,893
-14.98%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COPΒ 26.0K
$5.72β½430
25.87%
Cappuccino
$1.70COPΒ 6,140
$2.39β½179
-28.87%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,966
$1.11β½83.4
-0.90%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COPΒ 2,605
$0.48β½35.74
50.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COPΒ 6,022
$1.41β½106
18.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COPΒ 11.2K
$2.56β½192
21.09%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Surgut
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,809
$1.15β½86.6
-7.83%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COPΒ 4,497
$0.70β½52.8
78.57%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COPΒ 5,022
$1.44β½108
-3.47%
Eggs
$2.26COPΒ 8,168
$1.72β½129
31.40%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COPΒ 15.6K
$10.87β½817
-60.17%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COPΒ 21.1K
$4.88β½366
19.67%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COPΒ 31.9K
$9.07β½681
-2.65%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COPΒ 8,099
$1.80β½135
24.44%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COPΒ 3,882
$1.83β½137
-40.98%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COPΒ 5,522
$1.99β½150
-23.12%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,950
$2.80β½210
-51.07%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COPΒ 4,078
$0.81β½60.6
39.51%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COPΒ 4,036
$0.72β½54.3
55.56%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COPΒ 3,057
$1.35β½101
-37.04%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COPΒ 3,281
$0.71β½53.0
28.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COPΒ 8,414
$2.96β½222
-21.28%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COPΒ 40.2K
$6.76β½508
64.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COPΒ 4,309
$1.02β½76.4
16.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COPΒ 8,553
$1.88β½141
26.06%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Surgut
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,838
$0.49β½36.99
61.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COPΒ 148.5K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,184
$1.89β½142
-23.81%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COPΒ 6,901
$0.33β½24.78
478.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COPΒ 28.9K
$6.18β½464
29.77%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COPΒ 3,385
$0.73β½54.6
28.77%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOPΒ 64.7M
$34.5Kβ½2.6M
-48.08%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOPΒ 96.7M
$35.9Kβ½2.7M
-25.37%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Surgut
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COPΒ 303.1K
$108β½8,122
-22.36%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COPΒ 34.7K
$5.81β½437
65.23%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COPΒ 87.2K
$7.83β½588
208.56%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Surgut
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COPΒ 93.4K
$35.98β½2,703
-28.07%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COPΒ 68.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COPΒ 14.1K
$5.00β½376
-21.60%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Surgut
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COPΒ 1.1M
$321β½24.1K
-4.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COPΒ 21.4M
$7,000β½525.8K
-15.45%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Surgut
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COPΒ 209.1K
$69.3β½5,207
-16.47%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COPΒ 114.9K
$44.96β½3,377
-29.23%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COPΒ 360.6K
$114β½8,575
-12.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COPΒ 386.8K
$107β½8,053
-0.07%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Surgut
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COPΒ 1.8M
$449β½33.7K
8.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COPΒ 1.3M
$306β½23.0K
20.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COPΒ 3.0M
$758β½56.9K
8.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COPΒ 2.6M
$516β½38.8K
38.76%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COPΒ 10.6M
$1,612β½121.1K
81.42%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COPΒ 5.1M
$1,328β½99.8K
5.91%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Surgut
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COPΒ 2.0M
$902β½67.8K
-39.55%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
15.33
-12.39%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026
Last update for Surgut: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $487 in Medellin versus $449 in Surgut. 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 65% higher in Surgut, 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 $39.00 in Surgut. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $197 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 Surgut: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Surgut cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 8%, 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 $1,550 per month in Medellin and $1,433 in Surgut. 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 Surgut, 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 Surgut?
Interestingly, groceries are about 4% cheaper in Medellin β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for Medellin or Surgut?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Surgut, where all-in costs run around $955, than in Medellin at $1,034. In Surgut it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Surgut more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Surgut 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 Surgut. 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.