πA single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $351 in Sylhet, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $562 in Sylhet, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $774 in Sylhet, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 194% more than Sylhet, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Medellin and Sylhet are more affordable than the global median β Medellin23% lower, Sylhet74% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Sylhet
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.4K
$2.09ΰ§³256
183.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COPΒ 118.2K
$10.72ΰ§³1,316
205.50%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COPΒ 26.0K
$4.07ΰ§³500
76.90%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$4.06ΰ§³498
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.35ΰ§³534
-
Cappuccino
$1.70COPΒ 6,140
$1.87ΰ§³229
-9.09%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,966
$0.35ΰ§³42.50
214.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COPΒ 2,605
$0.15ΰ§³19.02
380.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COPΒ 6,022
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COPΒ 11.2K
-
-
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Sylhet
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,809
$0.76ΰ§³92.9
39.47%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COPΒ 4,497
$0.50ΰ§³61.9
150.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COPΒ 5,022
$0.66ΰ§³80.5
110.61%
Eggs
$2.26COPΒ 8,168
$1.21ΰ§³148
86.78%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COPΒ 15.6K
$6.80ΰ§³835
-36.32%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COPΒ 21.1K
$2.58ΰ§³317
126.36%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COPΒ 31.9K
$6.23ΰ§³765
41.73%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COPΒ 8,099
$2.15ΰ§³264
4.19%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COPΒ 3,882
$1.01ΰ§³124
6.93%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COPΒ 5,522
$1.99ΰ§³244
-23.12%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,950
$0.51ΰ§³62.1
168.63%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COPΒ 4,078
$0.38ΰ§³46.95
197.37%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COPΒ 4,036
$0.66ΰ§³81.6
69.70%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COPΒ 3,057
$0.35ΰ§³43.56
142.86%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COPΒ 3,281
$0.26ΰ§³31.56
250.00%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$3.77ΰ§³462
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.32ΰ§³285
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.51ΰ§³553
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COPΒ 8,414
$2.68ΰ§³330
-13.06%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COPΒ 40.2K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COPΒ 4,309
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COPΒ 8,553
-
-
π Getting Around
Medellin
Sylhet
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,838
$0.39ΰ§³48.33
102.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COPΒ 148.5K
$16.46ΰ§³2,021
149.88%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,184
$0.81ΰ§³99.1
77.78%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COPΒ 6,901
$0.35ΰ§³42.46
445.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COPΒ 28.9K
$1.45ΰ§³178
453.10%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COPΒ 3,385
$0.91ΰ§³112
3.30%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOPΒ 64.7M
$28.2Kΰ§³3.5M
-36.43%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOPΒ 96.7M
$25.7Kΰ§³3.2M
4.06%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Sylhet
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COPΒ 303.1K
$29.98ΰ§³3,680
180.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COPΒ 34.7K
$4.77ΰ§³585
101.26%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COPΒ 87.2K
$12.95ΰ§³1,589
86.56%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Sylhet
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COPΒ 93.4K
$10.12ΰ§³1,242
155.73%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COPΒ 68.7K
$8.29ΰ§³1,017
129.67%
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COPΒ 14.1K
$4.16ΰ§³511
-5.77%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Sylhet
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COPΒ 1.1M
$36.61ΰ§³4,494
736.82%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COPΒ 21.4M
$922ΰ§³113.1K
542.25%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Sylhet
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COPΒ 209.1K
$13.81ΰ§³1,695
319.33%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COPΒ 114.9K
$16.97ΰ§³2,084
87.51%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COPΒ 360.6K
$38.31ΰ§³4,702
160.77%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COPΒ 386.8K
$36.69ΰ§³4,504
192.01%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Sylhet
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COPΒ 1.8M
$68.5ΰ§³8,411
610.35%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COPΒ 1.3M
$60.7ΰ§³7,445
506.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COPΒ 3.0M
$164ΰ§³20.1K
403.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COPΒ 2.6M
$112ΰ§³13.8K
538.11%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COPΒ 10.6M
$595ΰ§³73.1K
391.34%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COPΒ 5.1M
$311ΰ§³38.2K
351.81%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Sylhet
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COPΒ 2.0M
$231ΰ§³28.4K
135.78%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
8.83
52.10%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026
Last update for Sylhet: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $487 in Medellin versus $68.5 in Sylhet. 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 136% 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 $11.00 in Sylhet. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $106 β making Sylhet 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 Sylhet: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sylhet cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 194%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. 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 $526 in Sylhet. 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 Sylhet, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Sylhet?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,034 in Medellin and $351 in Sylhet. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for Medellin or Sylhet?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Sylhet, where all-in costs run around $351, than in Medellin at $1,034. In Sylhet it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Sylhet more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Sylhet 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 Sylhet. 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.