πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $415 in Zagazig, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $655 in Zagazig, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $895 in Zagazig, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 144% more than Zagazig, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Medellin and Zagazig are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Zagazig69% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Zagazig
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$4.01EΒ£208
49.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.2K
$13.58EΒ£705
141.97%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$2.99EΒ£155
137.12%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,105
$0.76EΒ£39.34
125.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,918
$0.29EΒ£14.84
279.31%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,776
$0.10EΒ£5.09
680.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,987
$1.36EΒ£70.6
23.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$2.78EΒ£145
10.43%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Zagazig
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,899
$0.71EΒ£36.70
53.52%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,500
$0.31EΒ£16.24
306.45%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,914
$0.61EΒ£31.74
126.23%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,813
$1.44EΒ£75.0
52.08%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$3.44EΒ£178
27.91%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$3.47EΒ£180
62.25%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.7K
$7.59EΒ£394
17.13%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,334
$1.17EΒ£61.0
100.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,771
$0.42EΒ£21.59
152.38%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,365
$0.29EΒ£14.98
417.24%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,915
$0.17EΒ£8.92
711.76%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,104
$0.38EΒ£19.85
202.63%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,148
$0.41EΒ£21.26
182.93%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,176
$0.09EΒ£4.60
888.89%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,992
$0.20EΒ£10.61
320.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,131
$1.93EΒ£100
18.13%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$7.55EΒ£392
40.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,276
$1.28EΒ£66.3
-6.25%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,809
$1.72EΒ£89.2
43.60%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Zagazig
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,051
$0.16EΒ£8.35
437.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.6K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,255
$0.22EΒ£11.65
568.18%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,997
$0.45EΒ£23.38
335.56%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$0.95EΒ£49.21
714.74%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,403
$0.30EΒ£15.47
216.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.6M
$36.5KEΒ£1.9M
-50.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.4M
$29.3KEΒ£1.5M
-9.56%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Zagazig
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.2K
$15.63EΒ£811
426.23%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$2.92EΒ£151
225.34%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.4K
$4.04EΒ£210
499.75%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Zagazig
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.3K
$22.39EΒ£1,162
15.63%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$3.61EΒ£187
8.86%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Zagazig
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$92.0EΒ£4,775
236.32%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$1,966EΒ£102.0K
203.48%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Zagazig
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.1K
$19.61EΒ£1,018
199.13%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.3K
$44.61EΒ£2,315
-27.48%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.7K
$109EΒ£5,637
-5.52%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 386.5K
$17.76EΒ£922
510.53%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Zagazig
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$192EΒ£9,967
147.95%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$101EΒ£5,238
275.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$304EΒ£15.8K
175.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$181EΒ£9,370
300.91%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$288EΒ£14.9K
321.26%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Zagazig
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$155EΒ£8,060
229.56%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
16.67
-19.44%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Zagazig: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $192 in Zagazig. 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 230% 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 $14.00 in Zagazig. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $109 β making Zagazig 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 Zagazig: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zagazig cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 144%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. 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 $622 in Zagazig. 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 Zagazig, 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 Zagazig?
Groceries cost about 73% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for Medellin or Zagazig?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Zagazig, where all-in costs run around $415, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Zagazig it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Zagazig more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Zagazig 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 Zagazig. 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.