πA single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $317 in Zliten, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $518 in Zliten, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $719 in Zliten, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 226% more than Zliten, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Medellin and Zliten are more affordable than the global median β Medellin23% lower, Zliten76% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Zliten
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.4K
$2.87LYDΒ 18.17
106.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COPΒ 118.2K
$14.55LYDΒ 92.3
125.09%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COPΒ 26.0K
$2.51LYDΒ 15.89
186.85%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$0.52LYDΒ 3.31
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.70LYDΒ 4.46
-
Cappuccino
$1.70COPΒ 6,140
$0.42LYDΒ 2.65
304.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,966
$0.41LYDΒ 2.59
168.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COPΒ 2,605
$0.10LYDΒ 0.63
620.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COPΒ 6,022
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COPΒ 11.2K
-
-
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Zliten
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,809
$0.81LYDΒ 5.14
30.86%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COPΒ 4,497
$0.21LYDΒ 1.33
495.24%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COPΒ 5,022
$0.82LYDΒ 5.18
69.51%
Eggs
$2.26COPΒ 8,168
$1.29LYDΒ 8.17
75.19%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COPΒ 15.6K
$4.45LYDΒ 28.20
-2.70%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COPΒ 21.1K
$2.86LYDΒ 18.11
104.20%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COPΒ 31.9K
$10.14LYDΒ 64.3
-12.92%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COPΒ 8,099
$1.08LYDΒ 6.83
107.41%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COPΒ 3,882
$1.16LYDΒ 7.38
-6.90%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COPΒ 5,522
$0.65LYDΒ 4.14
135.38%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,950
$0.52LYDΒ 3.30
163.46%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COPΒ 4,078
$0.64LYDΒ 4.08
76.56%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COPΒ 4,036
$0.47LYDΒ 2.97
138.30%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COPΒ 3,057
$0.33LYDΒ 2.12
157.58%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COPΒ 3,281
$0.22LYDΒ 1.40
313.64%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$1.24LYDΒ 7.86
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.67LYDΒ 4.27
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.45LYDΒ 2.84
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COPΒ 8,414
$1.78LYDΒ 11.26
30.90%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COPΒ 40.2K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COPΒ 4,309
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COPΒ 8,553
-
-
π Getting Around
Medellin
Zliten
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,838
$0.17LYDΒ 1.11
364.71%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COPΒ 148.5K
$8.19LYDΒ 51.9
402.20%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,184
$0.95LYDΒ 6.01
51.58%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COPΒ 6,901
$0.91LYDΒ 5.78
109.89%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COPΒ 28.9K
$3.56LYDΒ 22.59
125.28%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COPΒ 3,385
$0.03LYDΒ 0.19
3033.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOPΒ 64.7M
$13.8KLYDΒ 87.5K
29.91%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOPΒ 96.7M
$15.3KLYDΒ 97.0K
75.09%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Zliten
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COPΒ 303.1K
$18.67LYDΒ 118
349.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COPΒ 34.7K
$5.58LYDΒ 35.38
72.04%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COPΒ 87.2K
$23.18LYDΒ 147
4.23%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Zliten
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COPΒ 93.4K
$16.76LYDΒ 106
54.42%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COPΒ 68.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COPΒ 14.1K
$4.70LYDΒ 29.80
-16.60%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Zliten
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COPΒ 1.1M
$36.07LYDΒ 229
749.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COPΒ 21.4M
$634LYDΒ 4,017
834.12%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Zliten
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COPΒ 209.1K
$10.82LYDΒ 68.6
435.21%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COPΒ 114.9K
$11.85LYDΒ 75.2
168.52%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COPΒ 360.6K
$42.08LYDΒ 267
137.40%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COPΒ 386.8K
$22.18LYDΒ 141
383.05%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Zliten
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COPΒ 1.8M
$74.5LYDΒ 472
553.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COPΒ 1.3M
$50.6LYDΒ 321
627.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COPΒ 3.0M
$193LYDΒ 1,224
327.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COPΒ 2.6M
$91.9LYDΒ 583
679.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COPΒ 10.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COPΒ 5.1M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Zliten
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COPΒ 2.0M
-
-
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: April 27, 2026
Last update for Zliten: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $487 in Medellin versus $74.5 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 $15.00 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 226%, 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 $1,550 per month in Medellin and $475 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 $1,034 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 $1,034. 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.