πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $697 in Suwaylih, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,246 in Suwaylih, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $1,795 in Suwaylih, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 46% more than Suwaylih, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Suwaylih are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Suwaylih48% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Suwaylih
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$6.94JODΒ 4.91
-14.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$49.48JODΒ 35.02
-32.64%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$6.32JODΒ 4.47
14.40%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$0.68JODΒ 0.48
139.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.41JODΒ 0.29
165.85%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.22JODΒ 0.16
231.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$5.66JODΒ 4.01
-69.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$6.86JODΒ 4.86
-52.92%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Suwaylih
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.44JODΒ 1.02
-27.08%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.33JODΒ 0.24
290.91%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.71JODΒ 1.21
-22.81%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.57JODΒ 1.82
-11.67%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$5.79JODΒ 4.10
-24.87%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$3.07JODΒ 2.18
91.53%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$9.59JODΒ 6.79
-10.22%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.97JODΒ 1.40
14.21%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.44JODΒ 1.02
-25.69%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.37JODΒ 0.97
10.95%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$0.72JODΒ 0.51
97.22%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.87JODΒ 0.62
34.48%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.68JODΒ 0.48
72.06%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.65JODΒ 0.46
36.92%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.41JODΒ 0.29
119.51%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$3.48JODΒ 2.46
-35.34%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$20.76JODΒ 14.69
-46.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$4.80JODΒ 3.40
-76.25%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$5.41JODΒ 3.83
-56.01%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Suwaylih
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.68JODΒ 0.48
23.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$0.33JODΒ 0.24
327.27%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$1.40JODΒ 0.99
35.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$7.13JODΒ 5.05
8.70%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.42JODΒ 1.01
-28.87%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$26.9KJODΒ 19.0K
-34.62%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$32.1KJODΒ 22.7K
-17.55%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Suwaylih
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$35.31JODΒ 25.00
136.99%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$16.97JODΒ 12.01
-44.31%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$28.56JODΒ 20.21
-15.58%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Suwaylih
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$42.99JODΒ 30.43
-41.13%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$21.46JODΒ 15.19
-10.81%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$11.32JODΒ 8.01
-63.78%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Suwaylih
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$278JODΒ 197
12.22%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$5,375JODΒ 3,804
11.50%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Suwaylih
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$35.95JODΒ 25.44
61.45%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$26.94JODΒ 19.07
20.86%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$70.6JODΒ 49.97
41.10%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$71.4JODΒ 50.5
52.00%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Suwaylih
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$140JODΒ 99.2
244.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$111JODΒ 78.7
241.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$415JODΒ 294
101.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$356JODΒ 252
103.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$981JODΒ 694
189.63%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$899JODΒ 636
36.03%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Suwaylih
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$776JODΒ 549
-30.29%
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: June 8, 2026
Last update for Suwaylih: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $140 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 43% 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 $49.00 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 46%, 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 $1,045 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 $697, than in Medellin at $1,017. 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.