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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $271 per month in Nkhotakota vs $1,017 in Medellin, rent included.

A couple spends around $449 per month in Nkhotakota vs $1,602 in Medellin, rent included.

A family of three spends $628 per month in Nkhotakota vs $2,188 in Medellin, rent included.

Nkhotakota is about 73% cheaper than Medellin, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Nkhotakota and Medellin are more affordable than the global median – Nkhotakota 80% lower, Medellin 24% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.91 MWK 8,435

$5.95 COP 20.8K

-17.48%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$33.33 COP 116.3K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.23 COP 25.2K

Cappuccino

$4.93 MWK 8,458

$1.63 COP 5,687

202.45%

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

$0.48 MWK 817

$1.09 COP 3,821

-55.96%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.73 COP 2,548

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.52 MWK 2,609

$1.74 COP 6,065

-12.64%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 COP 11.3K

Milk (1 liter)

$2.02 MWK 3,474

$1.05 COP 3,662

92.38%

White Bread (500g)

$0.52 MWK 889

$1.29 COP 4,515

-59.69%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.97 MWK 1,667

$1.32 COP 4,617

-26.52%

Eggs

$1.76 MWK 3,016

$2.27 COP 7,927

-22.47%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.04 MWK 5,225

$4.35 COP 15.2K

-30.11%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.97 MWK 5,094

$5.88 COP 20.5K

-49.49%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.89 MWK 6,677

$8.61 COP 30.0K

-54.82%

Apples (1kg)

$4.96 MWK 8,525

$2.25 COP 7,844

120.44%

Banana (1kg)

$2.97 MWK 5,103

$1.07 COP 3,733

177.57%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.95 MWK 3,350

$1.52 COP 5,322

28.29%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.98 MWK 1,677

$1.42 COP 4,964

-30.99%

Potato (1kg)

$1.01 MWK 1,741

$1.17 COP 4,084

-13.68%

Onion (1kg)

$1.98 MWK 3,399

$1.17 COP 4,077

69.23%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.89 COP 3,096

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.02 MWK 3,460

$0.90 COP 3,146

124.44%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.25 COP 7,837

Wine (Bottle)

$11.04 COP 38.5K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.99 MWK 1,698

$1.14 COP 3,977

-13.16%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.38 COP 8,301

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.84 COP 2,916

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.95 COP 146.4K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 COP 4,912

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.90 COP 6,634

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.75 COP 27.0K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.01 COP 3,509

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

$17.6K COP 61.4M

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

$26.5K COP 92.5M

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

$83.7 COP 292.1K

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

$9.45 COP 33.0K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.11 COP 84.1K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.31 COP 88.3K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.14 COP 66.8K

Cinema Ticket

$4.10 COP 14.3K

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

$312 COP 1.1M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,993 COP 20.9M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$58.0 COP 202.6K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$32.56 COP 113.6K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$99.6 COP 347.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$109 COP 378.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$482 COP 1.7M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$379 COP 1.3M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$837 COP 2.9M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$723 COP 2.5M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,840 COP 9.9M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,223 COP 4.3M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$541 COP 1.9M

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: June 9, 2026

Last update for Medellin: June 8, 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 275%, 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 $406 per month in Nkhotakota and $1,525 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $271 in Nkhotakota and $1,017 in Medellin. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 16% 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 $271, than in Medellin at $1,017. 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.