Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Muscat and Medellin

For one person, living costs are similar in Muscat and in Medellin: $1,556 and $1,614 a month, rent and utilities included.

Muscat
🇴🇲 Oman
$1,556
/mo nomad
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,614
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Muscat and in Medellin

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

A single person spends $1,556 per month in Muscat vs $1,614 in Medellin, rent included.

  • Muscat $1,556
  • Medellin $1,614

A couple spends around $2,299 per month in Muscat vs $2,402 in Medellin, rent included.

  • Muscat $2,299
  • Medellin $2,402

A family of three spends $3,042 per month in Muscat vs $3,190 in Medellin, rent included.

  • Muscat $3,042
  • Medellin $3,190

Muscat is about 4% cheaper than Medellin, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in utilities.

Both Muscat and Medellin sit above the global median – Muscat by 15%, Medellin by 20%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Muscat
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.33 OMR 2.05
$7.93 COP 25.2K
-32.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.12 OMR 15.06
$46.13 COP 146.3K
-15.20%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.76 OMR 2.99
$9.50 COP 30.1K
-18.32%
Cappuccino
$4.93 OMR 1.90
$3.11 COP 9,866
58.52%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.85 OMR 0.33
$1.83 COP 5,800
-53.55%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27 OMR 0.10
$1.38 COP 4,360
-80.43%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$12.87 OMR 4.95
$3.05 COP 9,672
321.97%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$13.07 OMR 5.03
$5.50 COP 17.4K
137.64%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Muscat
Medellin
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.31 OMR 0.89
$1.45 COP 4,600
59.31%
White Bread (500g)
$1.24 OMR 0.48
$2.36 COP 7,496
-47.46%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.87 OMR 0.72
$1.68 COP 5,328
11.31%
Eggs
$3.02 OMR 1.16
$2.86 COP 9,077
5.59%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.23 OMR 2.78
$10.19 COP 32.3K
-29.05%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.91 OMR 2.66
$9.53 COP 30.2K
-27.49%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.57 OMR 4.07
$14.04 COP 44.5K
-24.72%
Apples (1kg)
$3.51 OMR 1.35
$4.07 COP 12.9K
-13.76%
Banana (1kg)
$2.01 OMR 0.77
$1.50 COP 4,742
34.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.33 OMR 0.90
$2.17 COP 6,891
7.37%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.26 OMR 0.49
$2.31 COP 7,310
-45.45%
Potato (1kg)
$1.16 OMR 0.44
$1.93 COP 6,113
-39.90%
Onion (1kg)
$1.28 OMR 0.49
$1.64 COP 5,196
-21.95%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.79 OMR 0.69
$1.13 COP 3,571
58.41%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.68 OMR 0.26
$1.25 COP 3,954
-45.60%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.62 OMR 2.55
$3.99 COP 12.6K
65.91%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.83 OMR 6.09
$13.35 COP 42.3K
18.58%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$6.03 OMR 2.32
$1.70 COP 5,384
254.71%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$10.33 OMR 3.98
$2.37 COP 7,525
335.86%
🚌 Getting Around
Muscat
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.33 OMR 0.51
$1.21 COP 3,827
9.92%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$77.9 OMR 30.00
$76.5 COP 242.5K
1.88%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.18 OMR 1.23
$1.32 COP 4,179
140.91%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.62 OMR 1.01
$2.14 COP 6,774
22.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.83 OMR 3.01
$8.47 COP 26.8K
-7.56%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.60 OMR 0.23
$1.30 COP 4,114
-53.85%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.9K OMR 9,986
$28.0K COP 88.7M
-7.33%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.4K OMR 8,624
$35.4K COP 112.3M
-36.75%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Muscat
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$176 OMR 67.9
$172 COP 545.6K
2.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.30 OMR 10.90
$13.37 COP 42.4K
111.67%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$70.9 OMR 27.28
$28.73 COP 91.1K
146.68%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Muscat
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$62.7 OMR 24.14
$45.24 COP 143.5K
38.62%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$29.94 OMR 11.53
$17.04 COP 54.0K
75.70%
Cinema Ticket
$10.52 OMR 4.05
$6.28 COP 19.9K
67.52%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Muscat
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$283 OMR 109
$770 COP 2.4M
-63.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.6K OMR 4,070
$9,011 COP 28.6M
17.32%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Muscat
Medellin
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.6 OMR 21.79
$86.4 COP 274.0K
-34.50%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.33 OMR 16.68
$57.1 COP 181.1K
-24.16%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.1 OMR 35.08
$137 COP 432.9K
-33.26%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$86.4 OMR 33.28
$97.9 COP 310.4K
-11.71%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Muscat
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$674 OMR 260
$1,055 COP 3.3M
-36.10%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$461 OMR 177
$616 COP 2.0M
-25.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,324 OMR 510
$1,892 COP 6.0M
-30.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$813 OMR 313
$1,023 COP 3.2M
-20.56%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,871 OMR 1,105
$4,059 COP 12.9M
-29.28%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,614 OMR 621
$1,678 COP 5.3M
-3.86%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Muscat
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,650 OMR 635
$652 COP 2.1M
152.85%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.25
10.94
-52.01%

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

Last update for Muscat: October 11, 2026

Last update for Medellin: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Muscat
$461
Medellin
$616 33.7% $155
Groceries & Markets
Muscat
$292
Medellin
$295 0.9% $2.6
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Muscat
$275
Medellin
$214 22.2% $61
Eating Out
Muscat
$220
Medellin
$168 23.5% $52
Clothing & Footwear
Muscat
$125
Medellin
$170 36.2% $45
Getting Around
Muscat
$100
Medellin
$93 6.3% $6.2
Sport & Entertainment
Muscat
$84
Medellin
$58 31% $26

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $674 in Muscat versus $1,055 in Medellin. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 153% higher in Muscat, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $39.00 in Muscat versus $46.00 in Medellin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $292 vs $295 – making Muscat the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇴🇲 Muscat
🇨🇴 Medellin
🕒 Local time
12:42 12:42 PM
03:42 3:42 AM
9 h behind Muscat
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,090,797 Capital
2,486,723
💱 Currency
Omani Rial OMR ر.ع.
Exchange rates and currency converter

COP, USD, EUR to OMR – Omani Rial Converter

Omani Rial exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 0.385 OMR (1 OMR = 2.6 USD). 1 EUR = 0.433 OMR (1 OMR = 2.31 EUR).

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 3,171 COP (10,000 COP = 3.15 USD). 1 EUR = 3,565 COP (10,000 COP = 2.81 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Muscat Medellin 14,020 km ≈ 18 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Muscat
  • Medellin

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
Muscat vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Muscat?
Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 4%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in utilities.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,334 per month in Muscat and $2,421 in Medellin. 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 Muscat, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Is eating out cheaper in Muscat or in Medellin?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $39.00 in Muscat and $46.00 in Medellin. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Muscat and in Medellin?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,556 in Muscat and $1,614 in Medellin. That's a gap of about 4%.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Muscat or in Medellin?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Muscat, where all-in costs run around $1,556, than in Medellin at $1,614. In Muscat it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Muscat or Medellin more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Muscat – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Muscat or Medellin?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Muscat. 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.

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