πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $317 in Zliten, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $519 in Zliten, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $720 in Zliten, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 220% more than Zliten, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Medellin and Zliten are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Zliten76% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Zliten
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$2.91LYDΒ 18.50
104.47%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$14.42LYDΒ 91.7
131.14%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$2.53LYDΒ 16.10
185.77%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$0.54LYDΒ 3.40
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.71LYDΒ 4.52
-
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$0.45LYDΒ 2.84
262.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.44LYDΒ 2.81
147.73%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.10LYDΒ 0.61
630.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
-
-
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Zliten
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$0.80LYDΒ 5.11
31.25%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.23LYDΒ 1.47
460.87%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$0.85LYDΒ 5.39
55.29%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$1.30LYDΒ 8.27
74.62%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$4.49LYDΒ 28.55
-3.12%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$2.88LYDΒ 18.34
104.17%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$9.88LYDΒ 62.8
-12.85%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.08LYDΒ 6.84
108.33%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.22LYDΒ 7.75
-12.30%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$0.63LYDΒ 3.98
141.27%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$0.55LYDΒ 3.51
158.18%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.70LYDΒ 4.46
67.14%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.51LYDΒ 3.24
129.41%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.33LYDΒ 2.11
169.70%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.20LYDΒ 1.27
350.00%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$1.28LYDΒ 8.16
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.66LYDΒ 4.17
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.48LYDΒ 3.04
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$1.87LYDΒ 11.91
20.32%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
-
-
π Getting Around
Medellin
Zliten
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.19LYDΒ 1.20
342.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$8.46LYDΒ 53.8
395.86%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$0.90LYDΒ 5.70
56.67%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.85LYDΒ 5.38
123.53%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$3.71LYDΒ 23.60
108.89%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$0.03LYDΒ 0.21
3266.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$13.7KLYDΒ 87.3K
28.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$15.8KLYDΒ 100.2K
68.22%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Zliten
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$18.30LYDΒ 116
357.27%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$5.37LYDΒ 34.15
75.98%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$22.61LYDΒ 144
6.63%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Zliten
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$16.78LYDΒ 107
50.83%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$4.57LYDΒ 29.08
-10.28%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Zliten
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$36.15LYDΒ 230
762.90%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$653LYDΒ 4,156
817.17%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Zliten
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$10.84LYDΒ 68.9
435.42%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$12.12LYDΒ 77.1
168.65%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$41.64LYDΒ 265
139.24%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$22.30LYDΒ 142
386.73%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Zliten
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$72.8LYDΒ 463
562.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$49.52LYDΒ 315
666.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$196LYDΒ 1,250
326.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$90.7LYDΒ 577
696.97%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Zliten
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
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: June 8, 2026
Last update for Zliten: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $72.8 in Zliten. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $14.00 in Zliten. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $101 β making Zliten 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 Zliten: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zliten cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 220%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. 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 $1,525 per month in Medellin and $476 in Zliten. 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 Zliten, 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 Zliten?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $317 in Zliten. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for Medellin or Zliten?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Zliten, where all-in costs run around $317, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Zliten it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Zliten more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Zliten 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 Zliten. 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.