πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $919 in Vratsa, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,399 in Vratsa, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $1,879 in Vratsa, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 11% more than Vratsa, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Vratsa are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Vratsa32% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Vratsa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$8.84BGNΒ 14.70
-32.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$29.20BGNΒ 48.58
14.14%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$5.89BGNΒ 9.79
22.75%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$2.40BGNΒ 3.99
-32.08%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$1.44BGNΒ 2.40
-24.31%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.91BGNΒ 1.51
-19.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$1.74BGNΒ 2.89
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$2.30BGNΒ 3.82
40.43%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Vratsa
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.42BGNΒ 2.37
-26.06%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$1.02BGNΒ 1.70
26.47%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.34BGNΒ 2.23
-1.49%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$3.21BGNΒ 5.35
-29.28%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$9.20BGNΒ 15.30
-52.72%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$6.07BGNΒ 10.10
-3.13%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$11.74BGNΒ 19.53
-26.66%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.49BGNΒ 2.49
51.01%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.68BGNΒ 2.79
-36.31%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.15BGNΒ 1.91
32.17%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$1.73BGNΒ 2.88
-17.92%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.00BGNΒ 1.66
17.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.90BGNΒ 1.50
30.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.90BGNΒ 1.50
-1.11%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.61BGNΒ 1.02
47.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$3.63BGNΒ 6.04
-38.02%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$5.46BGNΒ 9.08
102.20%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.04BGNΒ 1.73
9.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.80BGNΒ 3.00
32.22%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Vratsa
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.58BGNΒ 0.96
44.83%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$17.67BGNΒ 29.39
137.41%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$0.84BGNΒ 1.41
67.86%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.66BGNΒ 1.10
187.88%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$6.37BGNΒ 10.60
21.66%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.59BGNΒ 2.65
-36.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$32.0KBGNΒ 53.2K
-45.08%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$28.0KBGNΒ 46.6K
-5.48%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Vratsa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$96.5BGNΒ 161
-13.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$13.09BGNΒ 21.78
-27.81%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$14.61BGNΒ 24.31
65.02%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Vratsa
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$23.43BGNΒ 38.98
8.02%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$14.63BGNΒ 24.34
30.83%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$5.94BGNΒ 9.89
-30.98%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Vratsa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$428BGNΒ 712
-27.15%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$5,386BGNΒ 8,960
11.27%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Vratsa
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$61.9BGNΒ 103
-6.19%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$35.62BGNΒ 59.3
-8.59%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$101BGNΒ 169
-1.65%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$105BGNΒ 175
3.42%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Vratsa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$252BGNΒ 420
91.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$269BGNΒ 447
41.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$470BGNΒ 783
78.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$424BGNΒ 705
70.66%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$1,327BGNΒ 2,208
113.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$1,106BGNΒ 1,839
10.61%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Vratsa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$1,099BGNΒ 1,829
-50.80%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4.49
199.11%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Vratsa: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $252 in Vratsa. 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 103% higher in Vratsa, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $29.00 in Vratsa. Groceries tell a different story β $190 in Medellin vs $202 in Vratsa β so Medellin wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Vratsa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vratsa cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 11%, 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 $1,379 in Vratsa. 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 Vratsa, 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 Vratsa?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $919 in Vratsa. 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 Vratsa?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Vratsa, where all-in costs run around $919, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Vratsa it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Vratsa more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Vratsa 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 Vratsa?
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 Vratsa. 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.