πA single person spends $991 per month in Samsun vs $1,013 in Medellin, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,509 per month in Samsun vs $1,602 in Medellin, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,027 per month in Samsun vs $2,192 in Medellin, rent included.
πSamsun is about 2% cheaper than Medellin, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
πBoth Samsun and Medellin are more affordable than the global median β Samsun26% lower, Medellin24% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Samsun
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.65βΊ351
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
27.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.10βΊ1,153
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
-23.62%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.99βΊ413
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
26.80%
Cappuccino
$2.81βΊ129
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
64.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.30βΊ59.9
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
18.18%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24βΊ10.97
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
-69.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.84βΊ130
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
69.05%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97βΊ136
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
-3.26%
π Groceries & Markets
Samsun
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05βΊ48.41
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
-3.67%
White Bread(500g)
$0.40βΊ18.32
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
-68.25%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.90βΊ179
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
182.61%
Eggs
$1.71βΊ78.6
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
-21.92%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.10βΊ418
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
106.82%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.02βΊ460
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
77.98%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.35βΊ889
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
117.66%
Apples(1kg)
$1.30βΊ59.6
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
-44.44%
Banana(1kg)
$1.12βΊ51.3
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
5.66%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.92βΊ42.10
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
-38.67%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.24βΊ57.1
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
-10.14%
Potato(1kg)
$0.60βΊ27.70
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
-47.83%
Onion(1kg)
$0.60βΊ27.77
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
-48.28%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.73βΊ33.76
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
-17.98%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.68βΊ31.29
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
-19.05%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.04βΊ93.9
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
-10.53%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.62βΊ442
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
-9.59%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.01βΊ92.5
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
67.50%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50βΊ115
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
1.21%
π Getting Around
Samsun
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.59βΊ27.00
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
-31.40%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.66βΊ444
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
-76.67%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.26βΊ104
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
53.74%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.61βΊ27.90
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
-68.88%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.65βΊ214
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
-39.92%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.13βΊ51.8
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
18.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$42.8KβΊ2.0M
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
136.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$49.6KβΊ2.3M
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
87.24%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Samsun
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$49.83βΊ2,290
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
-39.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.99βΊ505
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
15.68%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.23βΊ516
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
-53.65%
π Sport & Entertainment
Samsun
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$82.3βΊ3,780
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
217.81%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.75βΊ264
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
46.31%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Samsun
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$500βΊ23.0K
$309COPΒ 1.1M
61.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,735βΊ171.6K
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
-37.39%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Samsun
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$37.79βΊ1,736
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
-35.58%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.67βΊ2,098
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
41.17%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$87.8βΊ4,033
$103COPΒ 366.4K
-14.44%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$45.24βΊ2,079
$108COPΒ 387.2K
-58.28%
π Accommodation & Living
Samsun
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$500βΊ23.0K
$476COPΒ 1.7M
4.96%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$328βΊ15.1K
$379COPΒ 1.4M
-13.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$724βΊ33.3K
$838COPΒ 3.0M
-13.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$523βΊ24.0K
$724COPΒ 2.6M
-27.74%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$795βΊ36.5K
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
-71.51%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$429βΊ19.7K
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
-64.59%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Samsun
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,006βΊ46.2K
$512COPΒ 1.8M
96.62%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
43.33
13.43
222.64%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Samsun: June 2, 2026
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $500 in Samsun versus $476 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 97% higher in Samsun, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $25.00 in Samsun versus $33.00 in Medellin. Groceries tell a different story β $244 in Samsun vs $188 in Medellin β so Medellin wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Samsun vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Samsun?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 2%, and the gap shows up most in Sport & Entertainment. 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 $1,487 per month in Samsun and $1,519 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 Samsun, 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 Samsun vs Medellin?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $991 in Samsun and $1,013 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 Samsun or Medellin?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Samsun, where all-in costs run around $991, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Samsun it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Samsun or Medellin more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Samsun 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, Samsun 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 Samsun. 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.