Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and VaxjoCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Vaxjo
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $1,764 in Vaxjo, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $2,643 in Vaxjo, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $3,523 in Vaxjo, rent included.
πMedellin is about 43% cheaper than Vaxjo, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πMedellin sits 24% below the global median, while Vaxjo is 32% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Vaxjo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$12.51SEKΒ 117
-52.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.2K
$69.9SEKΒ 656
-52.98%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$10.44SEKΒ 98.1
-32.09%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,105
$4.13SEKΒ 38.76
-58.60%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,918
$1.24SEKΒ 11.68
-11.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,776
$1.31SEKΒ 12.29
-40.46%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,987
$7.49SEKΒ 70.3
-77.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$6.82SEKΒ 64.0
-54.99%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Vaxjo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,899
$1.80SEKΒ 16.90
-39.44%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,500
$2.32SEKΒ 21.81
-45.69%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,914
$3.94SEKΒ 37.01
-64.97%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,813
$3.92SEKΒ 36.87
-44.13%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$13.79SEKΒ 130
-68.09%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$11.38SEKΒ 107
-50.53%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.7K
$13.72SEKΒ 129
-35.20%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,334
$3.69SEKΒ 34.69
-36.59%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,771
$2.69SEKΒ 25.27
-60.59%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,365
$1.56SEKΒ 14.67
-3.85%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,915
$4.61SEKΒ 43.28
-70.07%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,104
$1.55SEKΒ 14.58
-25.81%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,148
$2.02SEKΒ 18.93
-42.57%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,176
$2.76SEKΒ 25.91
-67.75%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,992
$1.63SEKΒ 15.32
-48.47%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,131
$7.13SEKΒ 67.0
-68.02%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$10.04SEKΒ 94.3
5.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,276
$1.78SEKΒ 16.72
-32.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,809
$1.89SEKΒ 17.74
30.69%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Vaxjo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,051
$3.03SEKΒ 28.43
-71.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.6K
$67.6SEKΒ 635
-38.79%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,255
$10.54SEKΒ 99.0
-86.05%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,997
$1.65SEKΒ 15.46
18.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$21.48SEKΒ 202
-63.97%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,403
$1.98SEKΒ 18.58
-52.02%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.6M
$32.4KSEKΒ 304.0K
-43.98%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.4M
$32.2KSEKΒ 302.2K
-17.69%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Vaxjo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.2K
$88.6SEKΒ 832
-7.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$27.95SEKΒ 262
-66.01%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.4K
$32.23SEKΒ 303
-24.82%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Vaxjo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.3K
$38.87SEKΒ 365
-33.39%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.7K
$25.74SEKΒ 242
-26.18%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$16.62SEKΒ 156
-76.35%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Vaxjo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$147SEKΒ 1,380
110.60%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$752SEKΒ 7,067
692.83%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Vaxjo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.1K
$106SEKΒ 999
-44.85%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.3K
$26.54SEKΒ 249
21.89%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.7K
$101SEKΒ 953
1.11%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 386.5K
$143SEKΒ 1,339
-23.94%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Vaxjo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$845SEKΒ 7,941
-43.68%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$678SEKΒ 6,366
-44.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$1,571SEKΒ 14.8K
-46.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$990SEKΒ 9,296
-26.86%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$2,620SEKΒ 24.6K
-53.76%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Vaxjo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$3,306SEKΒ 31.1K
-84.52%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4.53
196.47%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Vaxjo: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $845 in Vaxjo. 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 546% higher in Vaxjo, 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 $70.0 in Vaxjo. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $348 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 Vaxjo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vaxjo cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Vaxjo is pricier by about 74%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. 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 $2,646 in Vaxjo. 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 Vaxjo?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $1,764 in Vaxjo. 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 Vaxjo?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,013, than in Vaxjo at $1,764. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Vaxjo it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Vaxjo 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 Vaxjo?
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, Vaxjo makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.