Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Zikhron Ya'akov

For one person, living is cheaper in Medellin: $1,639 a month against $2,736 in Zikhron Ya’akov, rent and utilities included – about $13,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Medellin, Colombia
Zikhron Ya'akov, Israel
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,639
/mo nomad
Zikhron Ya'akov
🇮🇱 Israel
$2,736
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Zikhron Ya'akov

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Medellin and in Zikhron Ya'akov actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,639 per month in Medellin vs $2,736 in Zikhron Ya’akov, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,639
  • Zikhron Ya'akov $2,736

A couple spends around $2,413 per month in Medellin vs $4,174 in Zikhron Ya’akov, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,413
  • Zikhron Ya'akov $4,174

A family of three spends $3,186 per month in Medellin vs $5,612 in Zikhron Ya’akov, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,186
  • Zikhron Ya'akov $5,612

Medellin is about 40% cheaper than Zikhron Ya’akov, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Medellin and Zikhron Ya’akov sit above the global median – Medellin by 20%, Zikhron Ya’akov by 101%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Zikhron Ya'akov
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.09 COP 26.1K
$22.74 ₪71.3
-64.42%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.05 COP 151.9K
$90.3 ₪283
-47.89%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.50 COP 30.7K
$20.41 ₪64.0
-53.45%
Cappuccino
$3.01 COP 9,735
$4.65 ₪14.57
-35.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80 COP 5,809
$2.90 ₪9.08
-37.93%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.41 COP 4,561
$2.22 ₪6.95
-36.49%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.18 COP 10.3K
$10.00 ₪31.34
-68.20%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.75 COP 18.6K
$9.91 ₪31.09
-41.98%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Zikhron Ya'akov
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.51 COP 4,876
$2.34 ₪7.32
-35.47%
White Bread (500g)
$2.38 COP 7,678
$2.74 ₪8.60
-13.14%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.77 COP 5,720
$2.60 ₪8.16
-31.92%
Eggs
$2.89 COP 9,333
$4.54 ₪14.23
-36.34%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.19 COP 32.9K
$12.82 ₪40.20
-20.51%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.87 COP 31.9K
$14.15 ₪44.35
-30.25%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.99 COP 45.2K
$26.29 ₪82.4
-46.79%
Apples (1kg)
$3.97 COP 12.8K
$4.69 ₪14.71
-15.35%
Banana (1kg)
$1.55 COP 5,012
$3.27 ₪10.24
-52.60%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.18 COP 7,048
$2.98 ₪9.34
-26.85%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.18 COP 7,051
$3.16 ₪9.89
-31.01%
Potato (1kg)
$1.96 COP 6,337
$1.76 ₪5.51
11.36%
Onion (1kg)
$1.59 COP 5,132
$1.74 ₪5.47
-8.62%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.15 COP 3,699
$2.43 ₪7.63
-52.67%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24 COP 4,014
$1.55 ₪4.86
-20.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.96 COP 12.8K
$10.25 ₪32.15
-61.37%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.68 COP 44.2K
$12.68 ₪39.76
7.89%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.66 COP 5,359
$2.74 ₪8.60
-39.42%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26 COP 7,291
$2.42 ₪7.60
-6.61%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Zikhron Ya'akov
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.17 COP 3,771
$2.78 ₪8.72
-57.91%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$77.4 COP 249.8K
$98.9 ₪310
-21.75%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.27 COP 4,094
$6.80 ₪21.31
-81.32%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.05 COP 6,612
$1.28 ₪4.03
60.16%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.55 COP 27.6K
$39.91 ₪125
-78.58%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 COP 4,349
$2.65 ₪8.31
-49.06%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.1K COP 110.0M
$55.3K ₪173.5K
-38.44%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7K COP 111.9M
$52.8K ₪165.4K
-34.29%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Zikhron Ya'akov
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$170 COP 547.8K
$336 ₪1,053
-49.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.55 COP 43.8K
$11.95 ₪37.47
13.39%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.07 COP 90.6K
$45.31 ₪142
-38.05%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Zikhron Ya'akov
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.70 COP 141.1K
$82.8 ₪260
-47.23%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.19 COP 55.5K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.91 COP 22.3K
$14.40 ₪45.16
-52.01%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Zikhron Ya'akov
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$797 COP 2.6M
$1,129 ₪3,539
-29.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,112 COP 29.4M
$23.9K ₪75.0K
-61.93%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Zikhron Ya'akov
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$84.7 COP 273.5K
$74.1 ₪232
14.38%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.0 COP 187.2K
$39.96 ₪125
45.05%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$135 COP 435.8K
$137 ₪430
-1.69%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$97.9 COP 316.0K
$150 ₪469
-34.57%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Zikhron Ya'akov
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,208 COP 3.9M
$1,659 ₪5,202
-27.20%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$642 COP 2.1M
$1,120 ₪3,511
-42.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,028 COP 6.5M
$2,109 ₪6,614
-3.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,012 COP 3.3M
$2,125 ₪6,663
-52.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,170 COP 13.5M
$8,852 ₪27.8K
-52.89%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,910 COP 6.2M
$6,647 ₪20.8K
-71.26%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Zikhron Ya'akov
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$657 COP 2.1M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
5.2
110.38%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Medellin: October 25, 2026

Last update for Zikhron Ya'akov: October 24, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$642
Zikhron Ya'akov
$1.1K 74.6% $478
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$297
Zikhron Ya'akov
$419 41.1% $122
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$211
Zikhron Ya'akov
$393 86% $182
Eating Out
Medellin
$170
Zikhron Ya'akov
$389 129% $220
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$169
Zikhron Ya'akov
$180 6.8% $11
Getting Around
Medellin
$94
Zikhron Ya'akov
$123 31.7% $30
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$58
Zikhron Ya'akov
$112 94% $54

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,208 in Medellin versus $1,659 in Zikhron Ya’akov. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin versus $90 in Zikhron Ya’akov. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $297 vs $419 – making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇮🇱 Zikhron Ya'akov
🕒 Local time
04:22 4:22 AM
11:22 11:22 AM
7 h ahead of Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
22,984
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

ILS, USD, EUR to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 3,229 COP (10,000 COP = 3.1 USD). 1 EUR = 3,603 COP (10,000 COP = 2.78 EUR).

Israeli New Shekel exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 3.14 ILS (1 ILS = 0.319 USD). 1 EUR = 3.5 ILS (1 ILS = 0.286 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Zikhron Ya'akov 11,520 km ≈ 15 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Zikhron Ya'akov

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Zikhron Ya'akov: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Zikhron Ya’akov?
Yes – Zikhron Ya’akov is pricier by about 67%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in eating out.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,459 per month in Medellin and $4,105 in Zikhron Ya’akov. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Medellin, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,208 there versus $1,659 in Zikhron Ya’akov.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or in Zikhron Ya’akov?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin and $90 in Zikhron Ya’akov. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin and in Zikhron Ya’akov?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,639 in Medellin and $2,736 in Zikhron Ya’akov. That makes Medellin about 40% cheaper.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Zikhron Ya’akov?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,639, than in Zikhron Ya’akov at $2,736. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Zikhron Ya’akov it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Zikhron Ya’akov more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Medellin – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
For expats, Medellin is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 40% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

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