πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $752 in Tsumeb, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,237 in Tsumeb, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $1,722 in Tsumeb, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 35% more than Tsumeb, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and Tsumeb are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Tsumeb44% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Tsumeb
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$16.42NADΒ 267
-63.76%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$36.31NADΒ 591
-8.21%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$9.13NADΒ 149
-20.81%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$2.25NADΒ 36.67
-27.56%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$2.12NADΒ 34.54
-48.58%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$2.21NADΒ 35.89
-66.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$2.35NADΒ 38.27
-25.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$1.25NADΒ 20.40
158.40%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Tsumeb
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.31NADΒ 21.29
-19.85%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.75NADΒ 12.23
72.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.61NADΒ 26.12
-18.01%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.71NADΒ 44.12
-16.24%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$13.17NADΒ 214
-66.97%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$3.25NADΒ 52.9
80.92%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$9.79NADΒ 159
-12.05%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$2.33NADΒ 37.85
-3.43%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$2.61NADΒ 42.42
-59.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$2.53NADΒ 41.21
-39.92%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$2.06NADΒ 33.55
-31.07%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$2.12NADΒ 34.57
-44.81%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$1.60NADΒ 26.09
-26.88%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$1.41NADΒ 23.03
-36.88%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.98NADΒ 16.01
-8.16%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$3.04NADΒ 49.48
-25.99%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$0.93NADΒ 15.12
22.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.19NADΒ 19.43
100.00%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Tsumeb
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$0.81NADΒ 13.24
74.07%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.78NADΒ 12.64
143.59%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.15NADΒ 18.76
-12.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$28.2KNADΒ 458.2K
-37.56%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$21.5KNADΒ 349.4K
23.42%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Tsumeb
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$28.15NADΒ 458
-14.35%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Tsumeb
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$22.40NADΒ 364
12.99%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
-
-
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Tsumeb
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$38.95NADΒ 634
700.87%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
-
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Tsumeb
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$41.14NADΒ 670
41.08%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$26.39NADΒ 429
23.38%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$42.35NADΒ 689
135.23%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$48.49NADΒ 789
123.84%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Tsumeb
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$267NADΒ 4,348
80.50%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$208NADΒ 3,391
82.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$457NADΒ 7,439
83.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$356NADΒ 5,798
102.94%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Tsumeb
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
9
49.22%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Tsumeb: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $267 in Tsumeb. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $36.00 in Tsumeb. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $205 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 Tsumeb: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tsumeb cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 35%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. 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 $1,129 in Tsumeb. 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 Tsumeb, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Tsumeb?
Interestingly, groceries are about 8% cheaper in Medellin β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for Medellin or Tsumeb?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Tsumeb, where all-in costs run around $752, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Tsumeb it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Tsumeb more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Tsumeb 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 Tsumeb. 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.