πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $859 in Yaroslavl, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,307 in Yaroslavl, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $1,755 in Yaroslavl, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 18% more than Yaroslavl, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Yaroslavl are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Yaroslavl36% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Yaroslavl
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$8.48β½619
-29.36%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$31.14β½2,273
5.52%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$6.11β½446
16.04%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$2.13β½155
-19.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$0.95β½69.6
15.79%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.34β½24.91
129.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$1.67β½122
0.60%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$1.61β½118
90.68%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Yaroslavl
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$1.06β½77.0
2.83%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$0.58β½42.41
117.24%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$1.25β½91.4
10.40%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$1.30β½95.1
68.46%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$7.32β½534
-39.89%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$4.25β½310
32.47%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$7.34β½536
21.12%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$1.78β½130
31.46%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$1.92β½140
-44.79%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$2.02β½147
-25.74%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$3.76β½275
-63.30%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$0.99β½72.3
16.16%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$0.81β½58.9
43.21%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$0.24β½17.42
270.83%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.76β½55.5
10.53%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$2.50β½182
-8.80%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$8.60β½628
23.72%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$0.74β½54.0
62.16%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$1.54β½112
60.39%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Yaroslavl
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$0.50β½36.19
72.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
$22.34β½1,630
85.32%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$2.56β½187
-42.58%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$0.22β½16.03
790.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$7.89β½576
-1.90%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$0.71β½52.1
33.80%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$38.6Kβ½2.8M
-52.98%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$25.2Kβ½1.8M
5.14%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Yaroslavl
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$97.3β½7,104
-15.49%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$3.09β½225
207.44%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$5.67β½414
327.34%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Yaroslavl
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$24.12β½1,760
7.34%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
$12.86β½939
47.74%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$4.41β½322
-10.88%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Yaroslavl
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$257β½18.8K
20.29%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$14.9Kβ½1.1M
-60.00%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Yaroslavl
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$48.25β½3,522
21.58%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$50.6β½3,689
-36.00%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$131β½9,553
-21.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$125β½9,099
-13.03%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Yaroslavl
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$327β½23.9K
45.54%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$232β½17.0K
63.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$642β½46.8K
30.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$347β½25.3K
108.48%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
$2,565β½187.2K
8.79%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$1,299β½94.8K
-6.74%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Yaroslavl
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$978β½71.4K
-47.68%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
14.48
-7.25%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Yaroslavl: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $327 in Yaroslavl. 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 91% higher in Yaroslavl, 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 $31.00 in Yaroslavl. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $178 β making Yaroslavl 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 Yaroslavl: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yaroslavl cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 18%, 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 $1,288 in Yaroslavl. 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 Yaroslavl, 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 Yaroslavl?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $859 in Yaroslavl. 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 Yaroslavl?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Yaroslavl, where all-in costs run around $859, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Yaroslavl it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Yaroslavl more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Yaroslavl 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 Yaroslavl?
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 Yaroslavl. 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.