πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $613 in Weihai, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $939 in Weihai, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $1,265 in Weihai, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 65% more than Weihai, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Weihai are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Weihai54% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Weihai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.3K
$2.76Β₯18.67
117.03%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 116.9K
$16.98Β₯115
93.52%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.2K
$4.66Β₯31.58
52.15%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,093
$3.47Β₯23.47
-50.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,910
$0.43Β₯2.94
155.81%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,771
$0.31Β₯2.12
151.61%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,976
$0.83Β₯5.59
102.41%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$2.03Β₯13.76
51.23%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Weihai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,892
$1.31Β₯8.84
-16.79%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,492
$1.08Β₯7.30
16.67%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,905
$0.91Β₯6.15
51.65%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,799
$1.22Β₯8.25
79.51%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$11.29Β₯76.5
-61.03%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.0K
$3.94Β₯26.67
42.89%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.6K
$10.32Β₯69.9
-13.86%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,319
$1.00Β₯6.79
134.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,764
$0.75Β₯5.08
41.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,355
$1.36Β₯9.19
10.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,906
$1.06Β₯7.15
30.19%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,097
$0.41Β₯2.77
180.49%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,141
$0.40Β₯2.73
190.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,170
$0.71Β₯4.83
25.35%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,986
$0.51Β₯3.43
64.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,116
$3.72Β₯25.21
-38.71%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$7.57Β₯51.3
40.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,268
$0.40Β₯2.71
200.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,793
$1.52Β₯10.30
62.50%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Weihai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,045
$0.22Β₯1.49
290.91%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.3K
$12.63Β₯85.5
227.79%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,245
$1.10Β₯7.43
33.64%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,984
$0.20Β₯1.35
880.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.5K
$7.04Β₯47.66
9.94%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,397
$1.06Β₯7.21
-10.38%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.5M
$19.1KΒ₯129.5K
-5.19%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.2M
$16.1KΒ₯109.3K
64.18%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Weihai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 292.7K
$35.22Β₯239
133.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.8K
$7.02Β₯47.53
35.33%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.2K
$7.68Β₯52.0
215.49%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Weihai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.1K
$41.21Β₯279
-37.18%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.6K
$8.56Β₯58.0
121.96%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$5.66Β₯38.31
-30.57%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Weihai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$276Β₯1,869
12.13%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.2M
$16.8KΒ₯113.7K
-64.46%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Weihai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 208.7K
$75.1Β₯508
-21.85%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.1K
$27.50Β₯186
17.64%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.1K
$70.5Β₯478
45.47%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 385.8K
$42.18Β₯286
157.06%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Weihai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$181Β₯1,224
163.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$130Β₯882
190.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$345Β₯2,338
142.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$183Β₯1,237
296.43%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
$1,787Β₯12.1K
56.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$1,074Β₯7,276
12.76%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Weihai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$618Β₯4,184
-17.15%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
3.5
283.71%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Weihai: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $181 in Weihai. 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 21% higher in Weihai, 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 $17.00 in Weihai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $168 β making Weihai 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 Weihai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Weihai 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 $1,519 per month in Medellin and $919 in Weihai. 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 Weihai, 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 Weihai?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $613 in Weihai. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for Medellin or Weihai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Weihai, where all-in costs run around $613, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Weihai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Weihai more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Weihai 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 Weihai. 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.