Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and UmanCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Uman
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $616 in Uman, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $977 in Uman, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $1,337 in Uman, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 68% more than Uman, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Uman are more affordable than the global median β Medellin23% lower, Uman54% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Uman
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.4K
$7.44β΄328
-20.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COPΒ 118.2K
$28.90β΄1,274
13.32%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COPΒ 26.0K
$6.42β΄283
12.15%
Cappuccino
$1.70COPΒ 6,140
$1.46β΄64.5
16.44%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,966
$0.71β΄31.35
54.93%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COPΒ 2,605
$0.48β΄21.17
50.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COPΒ 6,022
$1.00β΄44.02
67.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COPΒ 11.2K
$1.74β΄76.5
78.16%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Uman
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,809
$1.09β΄48.10
-2.75%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COPΒ 4,497
$0.66β΄28.93
89.39%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COPΒ 5,022
$1.42β΄62.5
-2.11%
Eggs
$2.26COPΒ 8,168
$1.59β΄70.0
42.14%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COPΒ 15.6K
$8.30β΄366
-47.83%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COPΒ 21.1K
$4.26β΄188
37.09%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COPΒ 31.9K
$6.42β΄283
37.54%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COPΒ 8,099
$0.76β΄33.65
194.74%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COPΒ 3,882
$1.65β΄72.6
-34.55%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COPΒ 5,522
$1.73β΄76.3
-11.56%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,950
$2.37β΄104
-42.19%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COPΒ 4,078
$0.26β΄11.44
334.62%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COPΒ 4,036
$0.52β΄22.90
115.38%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COPΒ 3,057
$1.56β΄68.8
-45.51%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COPΒ 3,281
$0.52β΄22.74
75.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COPΒ 8,414
$2.74β΄121
-14.96%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COPΒ 40.2K
$3.71β΄164
200.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COPΒ 4,309
$0.80β΄35.28
48.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COPΒ 8,553
$1.45β΄63.9
63.45%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Uman
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,838
$0.28β΄12.29
182.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COPΒ 148.5K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,184
$1.88β΄82.8
-23.40%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COPΒ 6,901
$0.30β΄13.21
536.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COPΒ 28.9K
$2.89β΄127
177.51%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COPΒ 3,385
$1.36β΄60.0
-30.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOPΒ 64.7M
$30.9Kβ΄1.4M
-42.07%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOPΒ 96.7M
$28.6Kβ΄1.3M
-6.18%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Uman
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COPΒ 303.1K
$89.1β΄3,927
-5.78%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COPΒ 34.7K
$5.34β΄235
79.78%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COPΒ 87.2K
$6.01β΄265
302.00%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Uman
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COPΒ 93.4K
$24.19β΄1,066
6.99%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COPΒ 68.7K
$9.93β΄437
91.74%
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COPΒ 14.1K
$6.19β΄273
-36.67%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Uman
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COPΒ 1.1M
$257β΄11.3K
19.25%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COPΒ 21.4M
$2,060β΄90.8K
187.31%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Uman
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COPΒ 209.1K
$62.8β΄2,769
-7.83%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COPΒ 114.9K
$40.08β΄1,766
-20.61%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COPΒ 360.6K
$86.2β΄3,798
15.93%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COPΒ 386.8K
$105β΄4,620
2.19%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Uman
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COPΒ 1.8M
$354β΄15.6K
37.64%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COPΒ 1.3M
$86.1β΄3,792
327.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COPΒ 3.0M
$166β΄7,322
396.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COPΒ 2.6M
$123β΄5,414
482.90%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COPΒ 10.6M
$876β΄38.6K
234.05%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COPΒ 5.1M
$745β΄32.9K
88.71%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Uman
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COPΒ 2.0M
$275β΄12.1K
98.03%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
21
-36.05%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026
Last update for Uman: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $487 in Medellin versus $354 in Uman. 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 98% higher in Medellin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $29.00 in Uman. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $156 β making Uman 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 Uman: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Uman cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 68%, and the gap shows up most in Getting Around. 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 $1,550 per month in Medellin and $925 in Uman. 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 Uman, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Groceries cost about 22% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Uman?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Uman, where all-in costs run around $616, than in Medellin at $1,034. In Uman it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Uman more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Uman 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 Uman. 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.