Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between N'Djamena and Medellin

For one person, living is cheaper in N’Djamena: $1,079 a month against $1,639 in Medellin, rent and utilities included – about $6,700 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Medellin outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

N'Djamena, Chad
Medellin, Colombia
N'Djamena
🇹🇩 Chad
$1,079
/mo nomad
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,639
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in N'Djamena 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 N'Djamena and in Medellin actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,079 per month in N’Djamena vs $1,639 in Medellin, rent included.

  • N'Djamena $1,079
  • Medellin $1,639

A couple spends around $1,438 per month in N’Djamena vs $2,413 in Medellin, rent included.

  • N'Djamena $1,438
  • Medellin $2,413

A family of three spends $1,797 per month in N’Djamena vs $3,186 in Medellin, rent included.

  • N'Djamena $1,797
  • Medellin $3,186

N’Djamena is about 34% cheaper than Medellin, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

N’Djamena sits 21% below the global median, while Medellin is 20% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
N'Djamena
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.57 FCFA 5,033
$8.09 COP 25.6K
5.93%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$47.05 COP 148.9K
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$9.50 COP 30.1K
-
Cappuccino
$0.81 FCFA 479
$3.01 COP 9,540
-73.09%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.82 FCFA 482
$1.80 COP 5,693
-54.44%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.81 FCFA 477
$1.41 COP 4,469
-42.55%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.30 FCFA 764
$3.18 COP 10.0K
-59.12%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.68 FCFA 988
$5.75 COP 18.2K
-70.78%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
N'Djamena
Medellin
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$3.65 FCFA 2,147
$1.51 COP 4,778
141.72%
White Bread (500g)
$0.33 FCFA 193
$2.38 COP 7,524
-86.13%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.45 FCFA 2,029
$1.77 COP 5,606
94.92%
Eggs
$2.05 FCFA 1,205
$2.89 COP 9,146
-29.07%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.38 FCFA 1,983
$10.19 COP 32.2K
-66.83%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.85 FCFA 4,025
$9.87 COP 31.2K
-30.60%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$3.48 FCFA 2,044
$13.99 COP 44.3K
-75.13%
Apples (1kg)
$4.80 FCFA 2,818
$3.97 COP 12.6K
20.91%
Banana (1kg)
$2.17 FCFA 1,276
$1.55 COP 4,911
40.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.51 FCFA 1,476
$2.18 COP 6,907
15.14%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.51 FCFA 1,476
$2.18 COP 6,910
15.14%
Potato (1kg)
$1.56 FCFA 917
$1.96 COP 6,210
-20.41%
Onion (1kg)
$1.56 FCFA 918
$1.59 COP 5,029
-1.89%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.52 FCFA 306
$1.15 COP 3,625
-54.78%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.09 FCFA 1,228
$1.24 COP 3,934
68.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.02 FCFA 600
$3.96 COP 12.5K
-74.24%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.84 FCFA 4,606
$13.68 COP 43.3K
-42.69%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.17 FCFA 686
$1.66 COP 5,252
-29.52%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72 FCFA 1,013
$2.26 COP 7,145
-23.89%
🚌 Getting Around
N'Djamena
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.42 FCFA 247
$1.17 COP 3,696
-64.10%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$84.0 FCFA 49.4K
$77.4 COP 244.8K
8.60%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.42 FCFA 246
$1.27 COP 4,013
-66.93%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.44 FCFA 261
$2.05 COP 6,480
-78.54%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.09 FCFA 2,993
$8.55 COP 27.1K
-40.47%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.26 FCFA 738
$1.35 COP 4,262
-6.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$11.9K FCFA 7.0M
$34.1K COP 107.8M
-65.14%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$10.9K FCFA 6.4M
$34.7K COP 109.7M
-68.43%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
N'Djamena
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$41.76 FCFA 24.5K
$170 COP 536.8K
-75.38%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.47 FCFA 15.0K
$13.55 COP 42.9K
87.97%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$422 FCFA 247.6K
$28.07 COP 88.8K
1401.89%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
N'Djamena
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$43.70 COP 138.3K
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$17.19 COP 54.4K
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$6.91 COP 21.9K
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
N'Djamena
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$797 COP 2.5M
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$9,112 COP 28.8M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
N'Djamena
Medellin
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$25.74 FCFA 15.1K
$84.7 COP 268.1K
-69.62%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.14 FCFA 20.1K
$58.0 COP 183.4K
-41.10%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$43.28 FCFA 25.4K
$135 COP 427.1K
-67.93%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$85.3 FCFA 50.1K
$97.9 COP 309.7K
-12.89%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
N'Djamena
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,734 FCFA 1.0M
$1,208 COP 3.8M
43.58%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$85.8 FCFA 50.4K
$642 COP 2.0M
-86.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$255 FCFA 149.8K
$2,028 COP 6.4M
-87.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$173 FCFA 101.8K
$1,012 COP 3.2M
-82.87%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$4,170 COP 13.2M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,910 COP 6.0M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
N'Djamena
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$341 FCFA 200.0K
$657 COP 2.1M
-48.18%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.5
10.94
-68.01%

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

Last update for N'Djamena: October 27, 2026

Last update for Medellin: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Monthly Utilities & Internet
N'Djamena
$489
Medellin
$211 56.8% $278
Groceries & Markets
N'Djamena
$236
Medellin
$297 25.7% $61
Eating Out
N'Djamena
$95 *
Medellin
$170 79.1% $75
Getting Around
N'Djamena
$88
Medellin
$94 5.9% $5.2
Accommodation & Living
N'Djamena
$86
Medellin
$642 647% $556
Clothing & Footwear
N'Djamena
$85
Medellin
$169 99.3% $84
Sport & Entertainment
N'Djamena
- *
Medellin
$58

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,734 in N’Djamena versus $1,208 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 93% higher in Medellin. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

Good to know
🇹🇩 N'Djamena
🇨🇴 Medellin
🕒 Local time
05:25 5:25 AM
23:25 11:25 PM
6 h behind N'Djamena
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,092,066 Capital
2,486,723
Exchange rates and currency converter

COP, USD, EUR to XAF – Central African CFA Franc Converter

Central African CFA Franc exchange rates as of October 29, 2026: 1 USD = 587 XAF (1,000 XAF = 1.7 USD). 1 EUR = 654 XAF (1,000 XAF = 1.53 EUR).

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of October 29, 2026: 1 USD = 3,164 COP (10,000 COP = 3.16 USD). 1 EUR = 3,523 COP (10,000 COP = 2.84 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • N'Djamena Medellin 9,930 km ≈ 13 h nonstop flight
From you
  • N'Djamena
  • 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
N'Djamena vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is N’Djamena cheaper than Medellin?
Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 52%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in clothing.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,618 per month in N’Djamena and $2,459 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 Medellin, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,208 there versus $1,734 in N’Djamena.
How do food prices compare in N’Djamena and in Medellin?
Groceries cost about 26% more in Medellin, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
Public transport costs about 8% less in Medellin. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in N’Djamena or in Medellin?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in N’Djamena, where all-in costs run around $1,079, than in Medellin at $1,639. In N’Djamena it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is it better to live in N’Djamena or in Medellin?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,079 in N’Djamena to $1,639 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with N’Djamena. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Medellin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

N'Djamena vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?