Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and UmanCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Uman
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $615 in Uman, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $991 in Uman, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $1,367 in Uman, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 65% more than Uman, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Uman are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Uman54% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Uman
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$7.28β΄327
-18.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$28.80β΄1,294
15.73%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$6.24β΄280
15.87%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$1.44β΄64.5
13.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.72β΄32.36
51.39%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.45β΄20.17
62.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$0.94β΄42.08
85.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$1.68β΄75.4
92.26%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Uman
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.06β΄47.49
-0.94%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.66β΄29.73
95.45%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.44β΄64.9
-8.33%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$1.56β΄70.0
45.51%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$8.27β΄371
-47.40%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$4.25β΄191
38.35%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$6.38β΄286
34.95%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$0.70β΄31.41
221.43%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.65β΄74.2
-35.15%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.76β΄79.2
-13.64%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$2.35β΄106
-39.57%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.26β΄11.67
350.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.51β΄22.80
129.41%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$1.51β΄67.8
-41.06%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.55β΄24.49
63.64%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$2.80β΄126
-19.64%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$5.75β΄258
92.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$0.84β΄37.93
35.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.50β΄67.2
58.67%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Uman
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.30β΄13.49
180.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$1.95β΄87.4
-27.69%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.30β΄13.37
533.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$2.83β΄127
173.85%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.35β΄60.6
-25.19%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$30.8Kβ΄1.4M
-42.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$28.2Kβ΄1.3M
-5.94%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Uman
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$90.2β΄4,052
-7.23%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$5.45β΄245
73.39%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$6.18β΄277
290.13%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Uman
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$25.03β΄1,125
1.12%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$9.47β΄426
102.11%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$5.86β΄263
-30.03%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Uman
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$254β΄11.4K
22.60%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$2,081β΄93.5K
188.00%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Uman
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$62.4β΄2,803
-6.99%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$39.99β΄1,796
-18.58%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$88.7β΄3,984
12.32%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$105β΄4,706
3.61%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Uman
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$360β΄16.2K
34.03%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$83.4β΄3,745
355.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$169β΄7,579
396.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$119β΄5,365
505.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$889β΄39.9K
219.42%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$742β΄33.3K
64.93%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Uman
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$270β΄12.1K
100.57%
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: June 8, 2026
Last update for Uman: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $360 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 101% 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 $160 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 65%, 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 $1,525 per month in Medellin and $922 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 19% 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 $615, than in Medellin at $1,017. 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.