πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $758 in Wadi As Sir, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,231 in Wadi As Sir, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $1,704 in Wadi As Sir, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 34% more than Wadi As Sir, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and Wadi As Sir are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Wadi As Sir43% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Wadi As Sir
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$6.97JODΒ 4.93
-14.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$49.11JODΒ 34.76
-33.09%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$7.08JODΒ 5.01
0.14%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$4.22JODΒ 2.98
-59.48%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$0.52JODΒ 0.37
111.54%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.34JODΒ 0.24
129.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$5.71JODΒ 4.04
-70.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$7.01JODΒ 4.96
-56.21%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Wadi As Sir
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$1.42JODΒ 1.00
-23.24%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$0.56JODΒ 0.39
125.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$1.71JODΒ 1.21
-19.30%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$2.53JODΒ 1.79
-13.44%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$6.71JODΒ 4.75
-34.43%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$6.70JODΒ 4.74
-15.97%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$11.25JODΒ 7.96
-20.98%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$2.00JODΒ 1.41
17.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$1.69JODΒ 1.20
-37.28%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$1.43JODΒ 1.01
4.90%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$0.75JODΒ 0.53
84.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$0.94JODΒ 0.67
22.34%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$0.74JODΒ 0.53
56.76%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$0.61JODΒ 0.43
45.90%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.64JODΒ 0.45
31.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$3.58JODΒ 2.54
-36.31%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$21.52JODΒ 15.23
-50.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$4.67JODΒ 3.30
-74.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$5.49JODΒ 3.89
-55.01%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Wadi As Sir
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$0.69JODΒ 0.49
113.04%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$1.45JODΒ 1.02
35.17%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$7.11JODΒ 5.03
8.86%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$1.40JODΒ 0.99
-32.14%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$27.6KJODΒ 19.5K
-34.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$31.9KJODΒ 22.6K
-16.90%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Wadi As Sir
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$103JODΒ 73.0
-20.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$17.01JODΒ 12.04
-44.15%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$31.39JODΒ 22.21
-22.81%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Wadi As Sir
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$21.08JODΒ 14.92
22.82%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$11.19JODΒ 7.92
-64.88%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Wadi As Sir
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$277JODΒ 196
11.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$5,306JODΒ 3,755
12.43%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Wadi As Sir
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$61.1JODΒ 43.25
-4.01%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$57.5JODΒ 40.67
-43.70%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$116JODΒ 81.8
-11.25%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$80.9JODΒ 57.2
34.08%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Wadi As Sir
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$277JODΒ 196
71.68%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$630JODΒ 446
33.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Wadi As Sir
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
7.27
84.73%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Wadi As Sir: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $277 in Wadi As Sir. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $49.00 in Wadi As Sir. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $245 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 Wadi As Sir: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wadi As Sir cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 34%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. 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 $1,137 in Wadi As Sir. 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 Wadi As Sir, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Wadi As Sir?
Interestingly, groceries are about 30% cheaper in Medellin β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Wadi As Sir?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Wadi As Sir, where all-in costs run around $758, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Wadi As Sir it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Wadi As Sir more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Wadi As Sir 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 Wadi As Sir?
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 Wadi As Sir. 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.