πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $132 in Ziguinchor, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $328 in Ziguinchor, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $524 in Ziguinchor, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 670% more than Ziguinchor, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Medellin and Ziguinchor are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Ziguinchor90% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Ziguinchor
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$8.68Fβ―CFAΒ 4,895
-30.99%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.43Fβ―CFAΒ 240
81.40%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
-
-
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Ziguinchor
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$1.89Fβ―CFAΒ 1,064
-42.33%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$1.35Fβ―CFAΒ 760
2.22%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$1.79Fβ―CFAΒ 1,007
-22.91%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$1.74Fβ―CFAΒ 982
-33.91%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$1.72Fβ―CFAΒ 968
-32.56%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$0.87Fβ―CFAΒ 490
37.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
-
-
π Getting Around
Medellin
Ziguinchor
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
-
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Ziguinchor
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$13.03Fβ―CFAΒ 7,348
-27.09%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
-
-
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Ziguinchor
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
-
-
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Ziguinchor
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$2,635Fβ―CFAΒ 1.5M
126.37%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Ziguinchor
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
-
-
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Ziguinchor
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$434Fβ―CFAΒ 244.6K
9.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$222Fβ―CFAΒ 125.0K
226.69%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Ziguinchor
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Ziguinchor: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $434 in Ziguinchor. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
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 Ziguinchor: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ziguinchor cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 670%, 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 $197 in Ziguinchor. 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 Ziguinchor, 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 Ziguinchor?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $132 in Ziguinchor. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Ziguinchor?
Groceries cost about 308% 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 $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Ziguinchor?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Ziguinchor, where all-in costs run around $132, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Ziguinchor it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Ziguinchor more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Ziguinchor 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 Ziguinchor. 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.