πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $654 in Tetouan, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $970 in Tetouan, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $1,287 in Tetouan, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 55% more than Tetouan, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Medellin and Tetouan are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Tetouan51% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Tetouan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$3.26MADΒ 30.04
83.74%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.2K
$18.97MADΒ 175
73.22%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$7.16MADΒ 65.9
-0.98%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,105
$1.73MADΒ 15.90
-1.16%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,918
$0.66MADΒ 6.05
66.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,776
$0.33MADΒ 3.00
136.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,987
$2.68MADΒ 24.72
-37.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$3.24MADΒ 29.79
-5.25%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Tetouan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,899
$0.87MADΒ 8.01
25.29%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,500
$0.25MADΒ 2.28
404.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,914
$1.55MADΒ 14.24
-10.97%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,813
$1.80MADΒ 16.60
21.67%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$4.65MADΒ 42.78
-5.38%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$5.58MADΒ 51.3
0.90%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.7K
$10.45MADΒ 96.2
-14.93%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,334
$1.24MADΒ 11.45
88.71%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,771
$1.30MADΒ 11.97
-18.46%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,365
$0.72MADΒ 6.65
108.33%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,915
$0.75MADΒ 6.90
84.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,104
$0.65MADΒ 5.99
76.92%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,148
$0.67MADΒ 6.17
73.13%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,176
$0.45MADΒ 4.17
97.78%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,992
$0.65MADΒ 5.95
29.23%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,131
$4.04MADΒ 37.15
-43.56%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$8.91MADΒ 82.0
19.42%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,276
$1.75MADΒ 16.07
-31.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,809
$2.06MADΒ 18.92
19.90%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Tetouan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,051
$0.47MADΒ 4.29
82.98%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.6K
$13.34MADΒ 123
210.34%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,255
$0.53MADΒ 4.88
177.36%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,997
$1.07MADΒ 9.85
83.18%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$3.42MADΒ 31.53
126.32%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,403
$1.56MADΒ 14.36
-39.10%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.6M
$37.1KMADΒ 341.5K
-51.11%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.4M
$24.5KMADΒ 225.2K
8.26%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Tetouan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.2K
$42.41MADΒ 390
93.94%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$10.21MADΒ 94.0
-6.95%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.4K
$40.02MADΒ 368
-39.46%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Tetouan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.3K
$14.08MADΒ 130
83.88%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.7K
$12.55MADΒ 116
51.39%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$3.87MADΒ 35.63
1.55%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Tetouan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$44.65MADΒ 411
592.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$5,150MADΒ 47.4K
15.82%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Tetouan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.1K
$19.27MADΒ 177
204.41%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.3K
$46.66MADΒ 430
-30.67%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.7K
$59.5MADΒ 548
72.52%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 386.5K
$68.9MADΒ 634
57.40%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Tetouan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$217MADΒ 1,999
119.31%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$183MADΒ 1,687
106.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$478MADΒ 4,404
75.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$273MADΒ 2,517
164.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
$1,160MADΒ 10.7K
140.59%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$807MADΒ 7,425
50.19%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Tetouan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$429MADΒ 3,953
19.18%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4.35
208.74%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Tetouan: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $217 in Tetouan. 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 19% 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 $19.00 in Tetouan. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $162 β making Tetouan 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 Tetouan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tetouan cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 55%, 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 $1,519 per month in Medellin and $981 in Tetouan. 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 Tetouan, 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 Tetouan?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $654 in Tetouan. 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 Tetouan?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Tetouan, where all-in costs run around $654, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Tetouan it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Tetouan more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Tetouan 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 Tetouan?
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 Tetouan. 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.