πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $959 in Wadi Musa, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,204 in Wadi Musa, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $1,449 in Wadi Musa, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 6% more than Wadi Musa, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Wadi Musa are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Wadi Musa29% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Wadi Musa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$5.40JODΒ 3.82
10.19%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$35.44JODΒ 25.08
-5.95%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$4.91JODΒ 3.48
47.25%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$2.75JODΒ 1.95
-40.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.48JODΒ 0.34
127.08%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.36JODΒ 0.26
102.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$5.76JODΒ 4.08
-69.79%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$7.13JODΒ 5.04
-54.70%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Wadi Musa
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.43JODΒ 1.01
-26.57%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.55JODΒ 0.39
134.55%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.56JODΒ 1.11
-15.38%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.46JODΒ 1.74
-7.72%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$6.44JODΒ 4.56
-32.45%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$4.76JODΒ 3.37
23.53%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$11.48JODΒ 8.13
-25.00%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.75JODΒ 1.24
28.57%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.38JODΒ 0.98
-22.46%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.48JODΒ 1.04
2.70%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$0.70JODΒ 0.49
102.86%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.87JODΒ 0.61
34.48%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.73JODΒ 0.52
60.27%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.66JODΒ 0.47
34.85%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.50JODΒ 0.35
80.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$3.30JODΒ 2.33
-31.82%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$20.94JODΒ 14.82
-47.28%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$4.79JODΒ 3.39
-76.20%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$5.29JODΒ 3.75
-55.01%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Wadi Musa
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$0.73JODΒ 0.52
93.15%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$1.38JODΒ 0.97
37.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$7.23JODΒ 5.12
7.19%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.15JODΒ 0.82
-12.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$26.7KJODΒ 18.9K
-34.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$31.8KJODΒ 22.5K
-16.67%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Wadi Musa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$69.8JODΒ 49.43
19.82%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$4.25JODΒ 3.01
122.35%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$13.84JODΒ 9.79
74.21%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Wadi Musa
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$35.41JODΒ 25.06
-28.52%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$11.38JODΒ 8.06
-63.97%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Wadi Musa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$271JODΒ 192
15.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$5,377JODΒ 3,806
11.45%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Wadi Musa
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$61.8JODΒ 43.73
-6.07%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$56.3JODΒ 39.81
-42.12%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$115JODΒ 81.5
-13.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$81.5JODΒ 57.7
33.18%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Wadi Musa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$347JODΒ 246
38.92%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$286JODΒ 203
32.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Wadi Musa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$503JODΒ 356
7.46%
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: June 8, 2026
Last update for Wadi Musa: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $347 in Wadi Musa. 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 7% 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 $35.00 in Wadi Musa. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $229 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 Musa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wadi Musa cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 6%, 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 $1,438 in Wadi Musa. 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 Musa, 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 Musa?
Interestingly, groceries are about 21% cheaper in Medellin β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for Medellin or Wadi Musa?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Wadi Musa, where all-in costs run around $959, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Wadi Musa it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Wadi Musa more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Wadi Musa 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 Musa?
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 Musa. 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.