Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and TrangCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Trang
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $990 in Trang, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,569 in Trang, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $2,149 in Trang, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 3% more than Trang, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Medellin and Trang are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Trang26% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Trang
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$1.81ΰΈΏ58.8
228.73%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$22.70ΰΈΏ739
46.83%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$8.88ΰΈΏ289
-18.58%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$3.02ΰΈΏ98.4
-46.03%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.75ΰΈΏ24.27
45.33%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.30ΰΈΏ9.62
143.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$2.44ΰΈΏ79.4
-28.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$3.61ΰΈΏ118
-10.53%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Trang
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$2.24ΰΈΏ72.8
-53.13%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$1.26ΰΈΏ40.94
2.38%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.10ΰΈΏ35.90
20.00%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.16ΰΈΏ70.4
5.09%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$11.56ΰΈΏ377
-62.37%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$3.74ΰΈΏ122
57.22%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$13.44ΰΈΏ438
-35.94%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$3.29ΰΈΏ107
-31.61%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.64ΰΈΏ53.4
-34.76%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$2.38ΰΈΏ77.6
-36.13%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$2.09ΰΈΏ68.1
-32.06%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.46ΰΈΏ47.71
-19.86%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$1.24ΰΈΏ40.40
-5.65%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.98ΰΈΏ31.89
-9.18%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.49ΰΈΏ15.83
83.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$4.39ΰΈΏ143
-48.75%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$18.82ΰΈΏ613
-41.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.84ΰΈΏ60.0
-38.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.65ΰΈΏ86.4
-10.19%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Trang
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.87ΰΈΏ28.48
-3.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$1.05ΰΈΏ34.26
34.29%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$1.01ΰΈΏ32.82
88.12%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$13.61ΰΈΏ443
-43.06%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.16ΰΈΏ37.71
-12.93%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$27.5KΰΈΏ894.7K
-36.00%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$33.5KΰΈΏ1.1M
-20.87%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Trang
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$124ΰΈΏ4,038
-32.50%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$13.75ΰΈΏ448
-31.27%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$18.34ΰΈΏ597
31.46%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Trang
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$50.0ΰΈΏ1,629
-49.40%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$11.97ΰΈΏ390
59.90%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$9.11ΰΈΏ297
-54.99%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Trang
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$685ΰΈΏ22.3K
-54.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$15.8KΰΈΏ514.5K
-62.06%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Trang
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$57.5ΰΈΏ1,872
0.97%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$35.07ΰΈΏ1,142
-7.16%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$114ΰΈΏ3,705
-12.43%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$83.3ΰΈΏ2,712
30.36%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Trang
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$424ΰΈΏ13.8K
13.67%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$290ΰΈΏ9,453
30.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$804ΰΈΏ26.2K
4.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$668ΰΈΏ21.8K
8.20%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$1,737ΰΈΏ56.6K
63.51%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$1,616ΰΈΏ52.6K
-24.33%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Trang
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$1,320ΰΈΏ43.0K
-59.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.33
151.97%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Trang: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $424 in Trang. 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 Trang, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $23.00 in Trang. Groceries tell a different story β $190 in Medellin vs $257 in Trang β so Medellin wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Trang: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trang cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 3%, 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 $1,525 per month in Medellin and $1,484 in Trang. 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 Trang, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Interestingly, groceries are about 35% cheaper in Medellin β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for Medellin or Trang?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Trang, where all-in costs run around $990, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Trang it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Trang more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Trang 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 Trang?
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 Trang. 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.