πA single person spends $1,080 per month in Port Louis vs $1,017 in Medellin, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,699 per month in Port Louis vs $1,602 in Medellin, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,319 per month in Port Louis vs $2,188 in Medellin, rent included.
πPort Louis costs about 6% more than Medellin, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Port Louis and Medellin are more affordable than the global median β Port Louis20% lower, Medellin24% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Port Louis
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.53MURΒ 308
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
9.75%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.69MURΒ 2,057
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
31.08%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.98MURΒ 329
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
-3.46%
Cappuccino
$2.56MURΒ 121
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
57.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.02MURΒ 48.19
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
-6.42%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60MURΒ 28.37
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
-17.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.26MURΒ 107
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
29.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.33MURΒ 157
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
3.10%
π Groceries & Markets
Port Louis
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.69MURΒ 79.5
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
60.95%
White Bread(500g)
$0.67MURΒ 31.37
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
-48.06%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32MURΒ 62.4
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
-
Eggs
$2.33MURΒ 110
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
2.64%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.10MURΒ 570
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
178.16%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.13MURΒ 289
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
4.25%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.72MURΒ 599
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
47.74%
Apples(1kg)
$1.98MURΒ 93.1
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
-12.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.96MURΒ 92.4
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
83.18%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.49MURΒ 70.3
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
-1.97%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.74MURΒ 129
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
92.96%
Potato(1kg)
$1.02MURΒ 48.27
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
-12.82%
Onion(1kg)
$0.94MURΒ 44.46
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
-19.66%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.81MURΒ 38.06
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
-8.99%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.76MURΒ 35.75
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
-15.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.41MURΒ 302
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
184.89%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.58MURΒ 404
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
-22.28%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.73MURΒ 81.7
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
51.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26MURΒ 106
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
-5.04%
π Getting Around
Port Louis
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.05MURΒ 49.57
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
25.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$22.34MURΒ 1,052
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-46.75%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.28MURΒ 202
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
203.55%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.61MURΒ 123
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
37.37%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$19.86MURΒ 935
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
156.26%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.47MURΒ 69.3
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
45.54%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.3KMURΒ 1.7M
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
106.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.5KMURΒ 1.3M
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
7.54%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Port Louis
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$48.79MURΒ 2,297
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
-41.69%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.23MURΒ 858
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
92.91%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.17MURΒ 1,562
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
37.58%
π Sport & Entertainment
Port Louis
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.97MURΒ 1,129
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
-5.29%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.01MURΒ 189
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-79.05%
Cinema Ticket
$6.03MURΒ 284
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
47.07%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Port Louis
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$157MURΒ 7,384
$312COPΒ 1.1M
-49.73%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,956MURΒ 186.3K
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
-34.00%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Port Louis
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$85.7MURΒ 4,033
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
47.57%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$79.2MURΒ 3,729
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
143.21%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$132MURΒ 6,213
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
32.44%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$92.8MURΒ 4,371
$109COPΒ 378.8K
-14.47%
π Accommodation & Living
Port Louis
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$472MURΒ 22.2K
$482COPΒ 1.7M
-2.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$353MURΒ 16.6K
$379COPΒ 1.3M
-6.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$777MURΒ 36.6K
$837COPΒ 2.9M
-7.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$630MURΒ 29.7K
$723COPΒ 2.5M
-12.85%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,057MURΒ 191.1K
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
42.87%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,045MURΒ 49.2K
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
-14.53%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Port Louis
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$671MURΒ 31.6K
$541COPΒ 1.9M
24.12%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.67
13.43
-50.34%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Port Louis: June 6, 2026
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $472 in Port Louis versus $482 in Medellin. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 24% higher in Port Louis, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $44.00 in Port Louis versus $33.00 in Medellin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $232 vs $190 β making Medellin 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
Port Louis vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Port Louis?
Yes β Port Louis is pricier by about 6%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. 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 $1,619 per month in Port Louis and $1,525 in Medellin. 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 Medellin, 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 Port Louis vs Medellin?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,080 in Port Louis and $1,017 in Medellin. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Port Louis or Medellin?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,017, than in Port Louis at $1,080. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Port Louis it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Port Louis or Medellin more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Medellin β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Port Louis 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 β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Port Louis makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Port Louis vs other spots: cost of living compared