πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $960 in Yoshkar-Ola, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,432 in Yoshkar-Ola, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $1,904 in Yoshkar-Ola, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 6% more than Yoshkar-Ola, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Yoshkar-Ola are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Yoshkar-Ola28% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Yoshkar-Ola
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$11.46β½837
-47.73%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$25.48β½1,859
28.96%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$5.14β½375
37.94%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$1.24β½90.8
37.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$0.71β½52.0
54.93%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.42β½30.92
85.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$1.04β½75.8
61.54%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$3.23β½236
-4.95%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Yoshkar-Ola
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$1.05β½76.6
3.81%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$0.62β½45.07
103.23%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$1.29β½94.4
6.98%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$1.61β½118
36.02%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$10.43β½761
-57.81%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$4.80β½350
17.29%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$8.96β½654
-0.78%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$1.76β½128
32.95%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$1.69β½123
-37.28%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$1.92β½140
-21.87%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$2.46β½180
-43.90%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$0.76β½55.6
51.32%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$0.67β½48.70
73.13%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$1.23β½90.1
-27.64%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.74β½53.8
13.51%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$2.97β½217
-23.23%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$11.26β½822
-5.51%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$1.18β½86.2
1.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$2.14β½156
15.42%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Yoshkar-Ola
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$0.42β½30.84
104.76%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$1.92β½140
-23.44%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$0.16β½11.90
1125.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$7.63β½557
1.44%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$0.72β½52.3
31.94%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$40.5Kβ½3.0M
-55.25%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$32.0Kβ½2.3M
-17.21%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Yoshkar-Ola
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$114β½8,352
-28.12%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$5.49β½401
73.04%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$7.20β½526
236.53%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Yoshkar-Ola
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$36.69β½2,678
-29.44%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$5.57β½406
-29.44%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Yoshkar-Ola
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$344β½25.1K
-10.15%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$3,989β½291.2K
49.52%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Yoshkar-Ola
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$83.4β½6,090
-29.70%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$74.7β½5,452
-56.69%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$144β½10.5K
-28.91%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$114β½8,291
-4.54%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Yoshkar-Ola
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$324β½23.6K
47.13%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$252β½18.4K
50.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$516β½37.6K
62.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$376β½27.4K
92.70%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
$1,367β½99.8K
104.11%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$1,322β½96.5K
-8.40%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Yoshkar-Ola
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$551β½40.2K
-7.13%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
12.5
7.44%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Yoshkar-Ola: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $324 in Yoshkar-Ola. 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 8% higher in Yoshkar-Ola, 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 $25.00 in Yoshkar-Ola. Groceries tell a different story β $188 in Medellin vs $199 in Yoshkar-Ola 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 Yoshkar-Ola: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yoshkar-Ola 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 $1,519 per month in Medellin and $1,439 in Yoshkar-Ola. 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 Yoshkar-Ola, 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 Yoshkar-Ola?
Interestingly, groceries are about 6% 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 Yoshkar-Ola?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Yoshkar-Ola, where all-in costs run around $960, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Yoshkar-Ola it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Yoshkar-Ola more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Yoshkar-Ola 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 Yoshkar-Ola?
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 Yoshkar-Ola. 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.