πA single person spends $1,028 per month in Medellin vs $352 in Sylhet, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,586 per month in Medellin vs $560 in Sylhet, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,144 per month in Medellin vs $769 in Sylhet, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 192% 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
$6.00COPΒ 20.6K
$2.09ΰ§³256
187.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.84COPΒ 112.5K
$10.57ΰ§³1,295
210.69%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.42COPΒ 25.4K
$4.16ΰ§³510
78.37%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$4.03ΰ§³493
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.27ΰ§³523
-
Cappuccino
$1.65COPΒ 5,659
$1.80ΰ§³220
-8.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07COPΒ 3,663
$0.32ΰ§³38.84
234.38%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76COPΒ 2,607
$0.16ΰ§³19.79
375.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COPΒ 5,908
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20COPΒ 11.0K
-
-
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Sylhet
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,597
$0.75ΰ§³92.4
40.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.31COPΒ 4,479
$0.50ΰ§³61.0
162.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.34COPΒ 4,591
$0.65ΰ§³79.4
106.15%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,521
$1.21ΰ§³148
80.99%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.41COPΒ 15.1K
$6.80ΰ§³834
-35.15%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.69COPΒ 19.5K
$2.45ΰ§³300
132.24%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.52COPΒ 29.2K
$6.26ΰ§³768
36.10%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,023
$2.15ΰ§³264
8.84%
Banana(1kg)
$1.11COPΒ 3,804
$1.00ΰ§³123
11.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,210
$2.03ΰ§³249
-25.12%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,680
$0.51ΰ§³62.0
168.63%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 3,950
$0.36ΰ§³43.57
219.44%
Onion(1kg)
$1.18COPΒ 4,043
$0.66ΰ§³81.1
78.79%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.84COPΒ 2,885
$0.35ΰ§³43.46
140.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86COPΒ 2,931
$0.26ΰ§³31.67
230.77%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$2.79ΰ§³342
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.22ΰ§³272
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.37ΰ§³536
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.26COPΒ 7,753
$2.63ΰ§³323
-14.07%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.60COPΒ 39.8K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,109
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COPΒ 8,484
-
-
π Getting Around
Medellin
Sylhet
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,721
$0.40ΰ§³48.55
97.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.83COPΒ 139.9K
$16.48ΰ§³2,021
147.75%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,023
$0.79ΰ§³97.1
86.08%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.92COPΒ 6,568
$0.34ΰ§³41.93
464.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.77COPΒ 26.6K
$1.51ΰ§³185
414.57%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,464
$0.91ΰ§³112
10.99%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.7KCOPΒ 60.5M
$28.7Kΰ§³3.5M
-38.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 90.7M
$25.4Kΰ§³3.1M
4.31%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Sylhet
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.1COPΒ 277.9K
$29.62ΰ§³3,630
173.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.43COPΒ 32.3K
$4.84ΰ§³593
94.83%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.86COPΒ 81.8K
$13.23ΰ§³1,622
80.35%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Sylhet
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.99COPΒ 89.1K
$9.68ΰ§³1,187
168.49%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.71COPΒ 64.1K
$8.02ΰ§³984
133.29%
Cinema Ticket
$4.09COPΒ 14.0K
$4.03ΰ§³494
1.49%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Sylhet
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$315COPΒ 1.1M
$37.29ΰ§³4,571
743.42%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,022COPΒ 20.6M
$919ΰ§³112.6K
555.52%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Sylhet
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.7COPΒ 204.6K
$13.61ΰ§³1,668
338.65%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.97COPΒ 109.6K
$17.21ΰ§³2,109
85.76%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101COPΒ 346.9K
$38.22ΰ§³4,684
164.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$105COPΒ 360.3K
$36.33ΰ§³4,453
189.32%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Sylhet
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$485COPΒ 1.7M
$70.8ΰ§³8,682
585.39%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$365COPΒ 1.3M
$58.7ΰ§³7,196
521.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$827COPΒ 2.8M
$165ΰ§³20.2K
402.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$730COPΒ 2.5M
$111ΰ§³13.6K
558.68%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,992COPΒ 10.3M
$696ΰ§³85.4K
329.63%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,314COPΒ 4.5M
$349ΰ§³42.8K
276.02%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Sylhet
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$551COPΒ 1.9M
$226ΰ§³27.7K
143.63%
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: June 15, 2026
Last update for Sylhet: June 16, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $485 in Medellin versus $70.8 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 144% 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 192%, 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 $1,542 per month in Medellin and $528 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 $1,028 in Medellin and $352 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 $352, than in Medellin at $1,028. 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.