Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Tonsberg

For one person, living is cheaper in Medellin: $1,639 a month against $2,701 in Tonsberg, rent and utilities included – about $12,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Medellin, Colombia
Tonsberg, Norway
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,639
/mo nomad
Tonsberg
🇳🇴 Norway
$2,701
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Tonsberg

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Medellin and in Tonsberg actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,639 per month in Medellin vs $2,701 in Tonsberg, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,639
  • Tonsberg $2,701

A couple spends around $2,413 per month in Medellin vs $3,915 in Tonsberg, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,413
  • Tonsberg $3,915

A family of three spends $3,186 per month in Medellin vs $5,128 in Tonsberg, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,186
  • Tonsberg $5,128

Medellin is about 39% cheaper than Tonsberg, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Medellin and Tonsberg sit above the global median – Medellin by 20%, Tonsberg by 98%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Tonsberg
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.09 COP 25.4K
$21.54 NOK 200
-62.44%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.05 COP 148.0K
$107 NOK 997
-56.17%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.50 COP 29.9K
$16.27 NOK 151
-41.61%
Cappuccino
$3.01 COP 9,485
$5.71 NOK 53.0
-47.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80 COP 5,660
$5.53 NOK 51.4
-67.45%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.41 COP 4,443
$5.26 NOK 48.82
-73.19%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.18 COP 9,990
$11.59 NOK 108
-72.56%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.75 COP 18.1K
$10.72 NOK 99.6
-46.36%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Tonsberg
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.51 COP 4,751
$2.27 NOK 21.09
-33.48%
White Bread (500g)
$2.38 COP 7,480
$3.34 NOK 31.07
-28.74%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.77 COP 5,573
$3.73 NOK 34.66
-52.55%
Eggs
$2.89 COP 9,093
$5.22 NOK 48.53
-44.64%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.19 COP 32.1K
$15.30 NOK 142
-33.40%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.87 COP 31.1K
$15.43 NOK 143
-36.03%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.99 COP 44.0K
$33.58 NOK 312
-58.34%
Apples (1kg)
$3.97 COP 12.5K
$3.77 NOK 35.06
5.31%
Banana (1kg)
$1.55 COP 4,883
$2.75 NOK 25.57
-43.64%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.18 COP 6,867
$3.59 NOK 33.37
-39.28%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.18 COP 6,870
$4.28 NOK 39.72
-49.07%
Potato (1kg)
$1.96 COP 6,174
$2.98 NOK 27.69
-34.23%
Onion (1kg)
$1.59 COP 5,000
$2.63 NOK 24.46
-39.54%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.15 COP 3,604
$2.77 NOK 25.72
-58.48%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24 COP 3,911
$2.29 NOK 21.24
-45.85%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.96 COP 12.5K
$17.82 NOK 166
-77.78%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.68 COP 43.0K
$14.97 NOK 139
-8.62%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.66 COP 5,221
$3.72 NOK 34.58
-55.38%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26 COP 7,103
$4.75 NOK 44.14
-52.42%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Tonsberg
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.17 COP 3,674
$4.14 NOK 38.45
-71.74%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$77.4 COP 243.4K
$84.6 NOK 786
-8.58%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.27 COP 3,989
$11.51 NOK 107
-88.97%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.05 COP 6,442
$2.13 NOK 19.79
-3.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.55 COP 26.9K
$71.0 NOK 659
-87.95%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 COP 4,237
$2.64 NOK 24.50
-48.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.1K COP 107.2M
$47.8K NOK 444.4K
-28.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7K COP 109.1M
$40.5K NOK 376.2K
-14.38%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Tonsberg
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$170 COP 533.7K
$283 NOK 2,629
-40.04%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.55 COP 42.6K
$34.28 NOK 318
-60.47%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.07 COP 88.3K
$47.47 NOK 441
-40.87%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Tonsberg
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.70 COP 137.5K
$53.9 NOK 501
-18.88%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.19 COP 54.1K
$41.40 NOK 385
-58.48%
Cinema Ticket
$6.91 COP 21.7K
$17.52 NOK 163
-60.56%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Tonsberg
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$797 COP 2.5M
$236 NOK 2,188
238.24%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,112 COP 28.7M
$12.1K NOK 112.0K
-24.39%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Tonsberg
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$84.7 COP 266.5K
$101 NOK 942
-16.46%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.0 COP 182.3K
$60.0 NOK 557
-3.37%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$135 COP 424.6K
$130 NOK 1,207
3.92%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$97.9 COP 307.9K
$165 NOK 1,535
-40.77%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Tonsberg
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,208 COP 3.8M
$1,254 NOK 11.7K
-3.69%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$642 COP 2.0M
$1,008 NOK 9,369
-36.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,028 COP 6.4M
$1,541 NOK 14.3K
31.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,012 COP 3.2M
$1,300 NOK 12.1K
-22.18%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,170 COP 13.1M
$5,845 NOK 54.3K
-28.65%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,910 COP 6.0M
$4,501 NOK 41.8K
-57.56%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Tonsberg
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$657 COP 2.1M
$4,581 NOK 42.6K
-85.65%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
4.94
121.46%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Medellin: October 25, 2026

Last update for Tonsberg: October 24, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$642
Tonsberg
$1K 57.2% $367
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$297
Tonsberg
$498 67.6% $201
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$211
Tonsberg
$365 72.6% $153
Eating Out
Medellin
$170
Tonsberg
$412 143% $243
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$169
Tonsberg
$205 21.6% $36
Getting Around
Medellin
$94
Tonsberg
$123 31.9% $30
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$58
Tonsberg
$89 54.6% $31

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,208 in Medellin versus $1,254 in Tonsberg. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Tonsberg are about 7 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin versus $107 in Tonsberg. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $297 vs $498 – making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇳🇴 Tonsberg
🕒 Local time
18:45 6:45 PM
00:45 12:45 AM
6 h ahead of Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
59,237
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

NOK, USD, EUR to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 3,146 COP (10,000 COP = 3.18 USD). 1 EUR = 3,502 COP (10,000 COP = 2.86 EUR).

Norwegian Krone exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 9.29 NOK (1 NOK = 0.108 USD). 1 EUR = 10.34 NOK (100 NOK = 9.67 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Tonsberg 9,170 km ≈ 12 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Tonsberg

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Tonsberg: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Tonsberg?
Yes – Tonsberg is pricier by about 65%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in eating out.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,459 per month in Medellin and $4,051 in Tonsberg. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
What is the rent difference between Medellin and Tonsberg?
A central 1-bedroom goes for about $1,208 in Medellin and $1,254 in Tonsberg. The gap holds across neighborhoods – outer areas show a similar spread, just at lower price points.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or in Tonsberg?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin and $107 in Tonsberg. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin and in Tonsberg?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,639 in Medellin and $2,701 in Tonsberg. That makes Medellin about 39% cheaper.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Tonsberg?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,639, than in Tonsberg at $2,701. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tonsberg it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is it better to live in Medellin or in Tonsberg?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,639 in Medellin to $2,701 in Tonsberg. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Tonsberg makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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