πA single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $711 in Suwaylih, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $1,240 in Suwaylih, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $1,769 in Suwaylih, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 45% more than Suwaylih, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Suwaylih are more affordable than the global median β Medellin23% lower, Suwaylih47% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Suwaylih
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.4K
$7.17JODΒ 5.09
-17.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COPΒ 118.2K
$49.51JODΒ 35.10
-33.85%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COPΒ 26.0K
$6.22JODΒ 4.41
15.76%
Cappuccino
$1.70COPΒ 6,140
$0.73JODΒ 0.52
132.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,966
$0.44JODΒ 0.31
150.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COPΒ 2,605
$0.20JODΒ 0.14
260.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COPΒ 6,022
$5.67JODΒ 4.02
-70.55%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COPΒ 11.2K
$7.25JODΒ 5.14
-57.24%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Suwaylih
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,809
$1.39JODΒ 0.98
-23.74%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COPΒ 4,497
$0.36JODΒ 0.26
247.22%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COPΒ 5,022
$1.67JODΒ 1.18
-16.77%
Eggs
$2.26COPΒ 8,168
$2.47JODΒ 1.75
-8.50%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COPΒ 15.6K
$5.54JODΒ 3.93
-21.84%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COPΒ 21.1K
$3.01JODΒ 2.13
94.02%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COPΒ 31.9K
$9.65JODΒ 6.84
-8.50%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COPΒ 8,099
$2.05JODΒ 1.45
9.27%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COPΒ 3,882
$1.40JODΒ 0.99
-22.86%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COPΒ 5,522
$1.37JODΒ 0.97
11.68%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,950
$0.73JODΒ 0.52
87.67%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COPΒ 4,078
$0.88JODΒ 0.62
28.41%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COPΒ 4,036
$0.68JODΒ 0.48
64.71%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COPΒ 3,057
$0.60JODΒ 0.43
41.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COPΒ 3,281
$0.40JODΒ 0.29
127.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COPΒ 8,414
$3.49JODΒ 2.47
-33.24%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COPΒ 40.2K
$21.39JODΒ 15.16
-47.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COPΒ 4,309
$4.84JODΒ 3.43
-75.41%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COPΒ 8,553
$5.53JODΒ 3.92
-57.14%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Suwaylih
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,838
$0.73JODΒ 0.52
8.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COPΒ 148.5K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,184
$0.34JODΒ 0.24
323.53%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COPΒ 6,901
$1.43JODΒ 1.01
33.57%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COPΒ 28.9K
$6.94JODΒ 4.92
15.56%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COPΒ 3,385
$1.45JODΒ 1.03
-35.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOPΒ 64.7M
$27.4KJODΒ 19.4K
-34.58%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOPΒ 96.7M
$31.7KJODΒ 22.5K
-15.56%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Suwaylih
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COPΒ 303.1K
$35.81JODΒ 25.39
134.46%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COPΒ 34.7K
$16.96JODΒ 12.02
-43.40%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COPΒ 87.2K
$28.06JODΒ 19.90
-13.90%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Suwaylih
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COPΒ 93.4K
$42.45JODΒ 30.10
-39.03%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COPΒ 68.7K
$21.15JODΒ 14.99
-9.98%
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COPΒ 14.1K
$11.48JODΒ 8.14
-65.85%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Suwaylih
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COPΒ 1.1M
$278JODΒ 197
10.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COPΒ 21.4M
$5,496JODΒ 3,897
7.68%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Suwaylih
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COPΒ 209.1K
$35.39JODΒ 25.09
63.63%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COPΒ 114.9K
$26.83JODΒ 19.03
18.60%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COPΒ 360.6K
$70.6JODΒ 50.0
41.58%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COPΒ 386.8K
$71.8JODΒ 50.9
49.26%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Suwaylih
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COPΒ 1.8M
$141JODΒ 99.7
246.11%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COPΒ 1.3M
$115JODΒ 81.4
220.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COPΒ 3.0M
$428JODΒ 303
92.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COPΒ 2.6M
$348JODΒ 247
105.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COPΒ 10.6M
$979JODΒ 694
198.71%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COPΒ 5.1M
$909JODΒ 645
54.73%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Suwaylih
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COPΒ 2.0M
$764JODΒ 542
-28.62%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
7.27
84.73%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026
Last update for Suwaylih: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $487 in Medellin versus $141 in Suwaylih. 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 40% higher in Suwaylih, 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 $50.0 in Suwaylih. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $212 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 Suwaylih: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Suwaylih 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 $1,550 per month in Medellin and $1,066 in Suwaylih. 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 Suwaylih, 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 Suwaylih?
Interestingly, groceries are about 12% cheaper in Medellin β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for Medellin or Suwaylih?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Suwaylih, where all-in costs run around $711, than in Medellin at $1,034. In Suwaylih it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Suwaylih more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Suwaylih 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 Suwaylih?
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 Suwaylih. 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.