Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Ulu Tiram

For one person, living is cheaper in Ulu Tiram: $938 a month against $1,639 in Medellin, rent and utilities included – about $8,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Medellin, Colombia
Ulu Tiram, Malaysia
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,639
/mo nomad
Ulu Tiram
🇲🇾 Malaysia
$938
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Ulu Tiram

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 Ulu Tiram actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,639 per month in Medellin vs $938 in Ulu Tiram, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,639
  • Ulu Tiram $938

A couple spends around $2,413 per month in Medellin vs $1,412 in Ulu Tiram, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,413
  • Ulu Tiram $1,412

A family of three spends $3,186 per month in Medellin vs $1,885 in Ulu Tiram, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,186
  • Ulu Tiram $1,885

Medellin costs about 75% more than Ulu Tiram, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Medellin sits 20% above the global median, while Ulu Tiram is 31% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Ulu Tiram
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.09 COP 26.1K
$3.58 MYR 14.59
125.98%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.05 COP 151.9K
$19.21 MYR 78.2
144.92%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.50 COP 30.7K
$4.97 MYR 20.24
91.15%
Cappuccino
$3.01 COP 9,734
$2.92 MYR 11.90
3.08%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80 COP 5,809
$0.85 MYR 3.44
111.76%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.41 COP 4,560
$0.41 MYR 1.67
243.90%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.18 COP 10.3K
$4.50 MYR 18.30
-29.33%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.75 COP 18.6K
$6.40 MYR 26.03
-10.16%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Ulu Tiram
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.51 COP 4,875
$1.73 MYR 7.02
-12.72%
White Bread (500g)
$2.38 COP 7,677
$1.04 MYR 4.23
128.85%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.77 COP 5,719
$1.48 MYR 6.03
19.59%
Eggs
$2.89 COP 9,332
$1.80 MYR 7.33
60.56%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.19 COP 32.9K
$9.62 MYR 39.17
5.93%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.87 COP 31.9K
$4.23 MYR 17.21
133.33%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.99 COP 45.2K
$9.57 MYR 38.95
46.19%
Apples (1kg)
$3.97 COP 12.8K
$3.30 MYR 13.44
20.30%
Banana (1kg)
$1.55 COP 5,011
$1.69 MYR 6.90
-8.28%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.18 COP 7,047
$2.76 MYR 11.25
-21.01%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.18 COP 7,050
$1.64 MYR 6.68
32.93%
Potato (1kg)
$1.96 COP 6,336
$1.45 MYR 5.92
35.17%
Onion (1kg)
$1.59 COP 5,131
$1.67 MYR 6.78
-4.79%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.15 COP 3,698
$1.39 MYR 5.65
-17.27%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24 COP 4,014
$0.56 MYR 2.29
121.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.96 COP 12.8K
$4.30 MYR 17.48
-7.91%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.68 COP 44.2K
$17.28 MYR 70.3
-20.83%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.66 COP 5,359
$2.96 MYR 12.04
-43.92%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26 COP 7,290
$3.11 MYR 12.65
-27.33%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Ulu Tiram
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.17 COP 3,770
$0.80 MYR 3.25
46.25%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$77.4 COP 249.8K
$13.32 MYR 54.2
480.86%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.27 COP 4,094
$0.94 MYR 3.84
35.11%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.05 COP 6,611
$0.38 MYR 1.55
439.47%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.55 COP 27.6K
$8.77 MYR 35.71
-2.51%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 COP 4,348
$0.86 MYR 3.51
56.98%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.1K COP 110.0M
$43.8K MYR 178.3K
-22.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7K COP 111.9M
$35.5K MYR 144.5K
-2.34%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Ulu Tiram
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$170 COP 547.7K
$53.5 MYR 218
217.22%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.55 COP 43.7K
$8.46 MYR 34.42
60.17%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.07 COP 90.6K
$28.46 MYR 116
-1.37%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Ulu Tiram
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.70 COP 141.1K
$37.15 MYR 151
17.63%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.19 COP 55.5K
$6.93 MYR 28.19
148.05%
Cinema Ticket
$6.91 COP 22.3K
$4.80 MYR 19.53
43.96%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Ulu Tiram
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$797 COP 2.6M
$241 MYR 980
230.98%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,112 COP 29.4M
$4,550 MYR 18.5K
100.25%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Ulu Tiram
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$84.7 COP 273.5K
$55.0 MYR 224
53.98%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.0 COP 187.1K
$16.99 MYR 69.2
241.14%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$135 COP 435.7K
$78.7 MYR 320
71.42%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$97.9 COP 316.0K
$87.0 MYR 354
12.46%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Ulu Tiram
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,208 COP 3.9M
$453 MYR 1,844
166.62%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$642 COP 2.1M
$315 MYR 1,282
103.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,028 COP 6.5M
$709 MYR 2,887
185.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,012 COP 3.3M
$547 MYR 2,227
84.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,170 COP 13.5M
$2,005 MYR 8,161
108.00%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,910 COP 6.2M
$1,196 MYR 4,867
59.78%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Ulu Tiram
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$657 COP 2.1M
$869 MYR 3,535
-24.34%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
4.06
169.46%

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

Last update for Medellin: October 25, 2026

Last update for Ulu Tiram: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$642
Ulu Tiram
$315 50.9% $327
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$297
Ulu Tiram
$241 18.9% $56
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$211
Ulu Tiram
$90 57.2% $121
Eating Out
Medellin
$170
Ulu Tiram
$119 29.8% $51
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$169
Ulu Tiram
$107 36.7% $62
Getting Around
Medellin
$94
Ulu Tiram
$19 79.3% $74
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$58
Ulu Tiram
$47 18.8% $11

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,208 in Medellin versus $453 in Ulu Tiram. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 32% higher in Ulu Tiram, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin versus $19 in Ulu Tiram. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $297 vs $241 – making Ulu Tiram the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇲🇾 Ulu Tiram
🕒 Local time
14:39 2:39 PM
03:39 3:39 AM
13 h ahead of Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
75,350
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

MYR, USD, EUR to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 3,229 COP (10,000 COP = 3.1 USD). 1 EUR = 3,619 COP (10,000 COP = 2.76 EUR).

Malaysian Ringgit exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 4.07 MYR (1 MYR = 0.246 USD). 1 EUR = 4.56 MYR (1 MYR = 0.219 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Ulu Tiram 19,140 km ≈ 24 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Ulu Tiram

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 Ulu Tiram: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ulu Tiram cheaper than Medellin?
Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 75%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in transport.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,459 per month in Medellin and $1,408 in Ulu Tiram. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ulu Tiram, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $453 there versus $1,208 in Medellin.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or in Ulu Tiram?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin and $19 in Ulu Tiram. 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 Ulu Tiram?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,639 in Medellin and $938 in Ulu Tiram. That makes Ulu Tiram about 43% cheaper.
Is $800 enough to cover costs in Medellin or in Ulu Tiram?
$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $1,639 in Medellin and $938 in Ulu Tiram. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Is Medellin or Ulu Tiram more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Ulu Tiram – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
For expats, Ulu Tiram is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 43% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

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