πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $2,430 in Ulsteinvik, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $3,741 in Ulsteinvik, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $5,052 in Ulsteinvik, rent included.
πMedellin is about 58% cheaper than Ulsteinvik, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πMedellin sits 24% below the global median, while Ulsteinvik is 81% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Ulsteinvik
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$25.66NOKΒ 238
-76.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$103NOKΒ 957
-68.11%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$13.92NOKΒ 129
-49.07%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$5.02NOKΒ 46.64
-65.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$3.21NOKΒ 29.81
-65.73%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$2.92NOKΒ 27.16
-73.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$10.24NOKΒ 95.1
-83.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$9.64NOKΒ 89.5
-68.15%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Ulsteinvik
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$2.19NOKΒ 20.35
-50.23%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$3.33NOKΒ 30.95
-62.16%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$3.28NOKΒ 30.44
-57.93%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$4.33NOKΒ 40.21
-49.42%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$11.82NOKΒ 110
-62.77%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$14.52NOKΒ 135
-61.23%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$27.67NOKΒ 257
-67.87%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$3.45NOKΒ 32.01
-32.17%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$2.37NOKΒ 21.98
-55.27%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$3.24NOKΒ 30.10
-53.70%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$4.56NOKΒ 42.38
-69.74%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$2.45NOKΒ 22.78
-53.06%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$2.50NOKΒ 23.21
-53.60%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$2.82NOKΒ 26.20
-68.44%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$1.83NOKΒ 16.99
-54.10%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$15.10NOKΒ 140
-84.90%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$18.31NOKΒ 170
-41.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$3.33NOKΒ 30.95
-63.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$3.99NOKΒ 37.02
-38.10%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Ulsteinvik
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$4.37NOKΒ 40.61
-80.32%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
$74.2NOKΒ 689
-44.17%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$10.27NOKΒ 95.4
-85.69%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$1.41NOKΒ 13.06
39.01%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$46.03NOKΒ 428
-83.18%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$2.14NOKΒ 19.90
-55.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$35.7KNOKΒ 331.9K
-49.25%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$38.6KNOKΒ 358.4K
-31.36%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Ulsteinvik
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$241NOKΒ 2,238
-65.85%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$38.38NOKΒ 357
-75.25%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$55.1NOKΒ 512
-56.03%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Ulsteinvik
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$48.91NOKΒ 454
-47.07%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
$35.72NOKΒ 332
-46.81%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$16.69NOKΒ 155
-76.45%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Ulsteinvik
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$285NOKΒ 2,650
8.47%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$10.0KNOKΒ 92.9K
-40.36%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Ulsteinvik
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$94.3NOKΒ 876
-37.79%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$51.4NOKΒ 477
-37.04%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$110NOKΒ 1,018
-6.38%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$153NOKΒ 1,424
-29.27%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Ulsteinvik
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$1,220NOKΒ 11.3K
-60.95%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$897NOKΒ 8,332
-57.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$1,846NOKΒ 17.1K
-54.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$1,559NOKΒ 14.5K
-53.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
$5,240NOKΒ 48.7K
-46.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$4,283NOKΒ 39.8K
-71.72%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Ulsteinvik
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4.38
206.62%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Ulsteinvik: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $1,220 in Ulsteinvik. 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 $103 in Ulsteinvik. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $451 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 Ulsteinvik: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ulsteinvik cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Ulsteinvik is pricier by about 140%, 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 $1,519 per month in Medellin and $3,645 in Ulsteinvik. 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 Ulsteinvik?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $2,430 in Ulsteinvik. 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 Ulsteinvik?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,013, than in Ulsteinvik at $2,430. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ulsteinvik it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Ulsteinvik 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 Ulsteinvik?
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, Ulsteinvik makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.