Cost of Living Comparison Between Nkhotakota and Medellin Cost of Living Comparison Between Nkhotakota and Medellin

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $277 per month in Nkhotakota vs $1,003 in Medellin, rent included.

A couple spends around $444 per month in Nkhotakota vs $1,573 in Medellin, rent included.

A family of three spends $612 per month in Nkhotakota vs $2,143 in Medellin, rent included.

Nkhotakota is about 72% cheaper than Medellin, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Nkhotakota and Medellin are more affordable than the global median – Nkhotakota 79% lower, Medellin 25% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.98 MWK 8,553

$5.91 COP 18.9K

-15.74%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.96 COP 105.2K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.43 COP 23.7K

Cappuccino

$5.15 MWK 8,841

$1.65 COP 5,276

212.12%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.48 MWK 824

$1.10 COP 3,514

-56.36%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.78 COP 2,491

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.47 MWK 2,532

$1.72 COP 5,484

-14.53%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.18 COP 10.1K

Milk (1 liter)

$2.05 MWK 3,528

$1.10 COP 3,521

86.36%

White Bread (500g)

$0.52 MWK 900

$1.26 COP 4,015

-58.73%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.97 MWK 1,669

$1.38 COP 4,407

-29.71%

Eggs

$1.77 MWK 3,042

$2.18 COP 6,950

-18.81%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.02 MWK 5,187

$4.49 COP 14.3K

-32.74%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.02 MWK 5,183

$5.79 COP 18.5K

-47.84%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.02 MWK 6,897

$8.97 COP 28.6K

-55.18%

Apples (1kg)

$4.90 MWK 8,414

$2.32 COP 7,405

111.21%

Banana (1kg)

$2.99 MWK 5,127

$1.06 COP 3,397

182.08%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.06 MWK 3,536

$1.52 COP 4,838

35.53%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.02 MWK 1,748

$1.36 COP 4,327

-25.00%

Potato (1kg)

$1.02 MWK 1,760

$1.13 COP 3,599

-9.73%

Onion (1kg)

$2.06 MWK 3,534

$1.17 COP 3,738

76.07%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.90 COP 2,876

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.99 MWK 3,414

$0.90 COP 2,861

121.11%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.23 COP 7,128

Wine (Bottle)

$12.12 COP 38.7K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.02 MWK 1,750

$1.19 COP 3,793

-14.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 COP 7,920

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.85 COP 2,723

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.62 COP 132.8K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.42 COP 4,518

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.95 COP 6,223

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.89 COP 25.2K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.99 COP 3,160

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$17.6K COP 56.2M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.8K COP 85.5M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$83.0 COP 264.9K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$9.70 COP 30.9K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.52 COP 75.0K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.26 COP 80.6K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.10 COP 60.9K

Cinema Ticket

$3.95 COP 12.6K

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$316 COP 1.0M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,975 COP 19.1M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.0 COP 191.4K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.82 COP 101.5K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 COP 324.4K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 COP 342.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$475 COP 1.5M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$374 COP 1.2M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$849 COP 2.7M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$719 COP 2.3M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,265 COP 10.4M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,441 COP 4.6M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$624 COP 2.0M

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.43

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

Last update for Nkhotakota: July 28, 2026

Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026

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

Nkhotakota vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 262%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $415 per month in Nkhotakota and $1,504 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $277 in Nkhotakota and $1,003 in Medellin. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 17% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Nkhotakota, where all-in costs run around $277, than in Medellin at $1,003. In Nkhotakota it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Nkhotakota – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Nkhotakota. 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.