πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $1,199 in Tepelene, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,833 in Tepelene, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $2,467 in Tepelene, rent included.
πMedellin is about 16% cheaper than Tepelene, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Medellin and Tepelene are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Tepelene10% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Tepelene
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$11.64ALLΒ 952
-48.54%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$57.8ALLΒ 4,732
-43.19%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$9.63ALLΒ 788
-26.38%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$2.07ALLΒ 169
-17.39%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$1.89ALLΒ 154
-41.80%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.98ALLΒ 79.8
-20.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$2.90ALLΒ 238
-42.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$4.03ALLΒ 330
-23.82%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Tepelene
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$2.05ALLΒ 167
-46.83%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$1.14ALLΒ 93.1
10.53%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$2.23ALLΒ 183
-38.12%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$3.83ALLΒ 313
-42.82%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$13.04ALLΒ 1,067
-66.26%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$7.55ALLΒ 618
-25.43%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$15.39ALLΒ 1,259
-42.24%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$1.72ALLΒ 141
36.05%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$2.76ALLΒ 226
-61.59%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$1.96ALLΒ 160
-23.47%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$1.99ALLΒ 163
-30.65%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$1.37ALLΒ 112
-16.06%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$1.34ALLΒ 109
-13.43%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$1.51ALLΒ 123
-41.06%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.75ALLΒ 61.3
12.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$4.36ALLΒ 357
-47.71%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$11.12ALLΒ 910
-4.32%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$1.58ALLΒ 130
-24.05%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$2.17ALLΒ 178
13.82%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Tepelene
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$0.45ALLΒ 36.53
91.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
$19.09ALLΒ 1,561
116.87%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$3.52ALLΒ 288
-58.24%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$3.07ALLΒ 251
-36.16%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$17.96ALLΒ 1,470
-56.90%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$2.09ALLΒ 171
-54.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$40.4KALLΒ 3.3M
-55.17%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$35.6KALLΒ 2.9M
-25.58%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Tepelene
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$107ALLΒ 8,729
-22.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$17.56ALLΒ 1,436
-45.90%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$18.64ALLΒ 1,525
29.99%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Tepelene
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$54.7ALLΒ 4,476
-52.68%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
$25.13ALLΒ 2,056
-24.39%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$9.69ALLΒ 792
-59.44%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Tepelene
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$162ALLΒ 13.2K
91.57%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$5,572ALLΒ 455.9K
7.05%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Tepelene
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$61.0ALLΒ 4,994
-3.90%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$49.61ALLΒ 4,058
-34.79%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$109ALLΒ 8,927
-5.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$129ALLΒ 10.6K
-16.16%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Tepelene
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$450ALLΒ 36.9K
5.71%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$342ALLΒ 28.0K
10.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$603ALLΒ 49.3K
39.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$439ALLΒ 35.9K
65.02%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
$1,955ALLΒ 160.0K
42.72%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$1,340ALLΒ 109.6K
-9.60%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Tepelene
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$663ALLΒ 54.3K
-22.85%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.52
143.30%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Tepelene: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $450 in Tepelene. 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 30% higher in Tepelene, 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 $58.0 in Tepelene. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $278 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 Tepelene: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tepelene cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Tepelene is pricier by about 18%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. 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 $1,519 per month in Medellin and $1,799 in Tepelene. 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 Medellin, 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 Tepelene?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $1,199 in Tepelene. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Tepelene?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,013, than in Tepelene at $1,199. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tepelene it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Tepelene more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Medellin 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 Tepelene?
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 Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Tepelene makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.