🙂A single person spends $718 per month in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte vs $1,716 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,086 per month in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte vs $2,527 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,454 per month in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte vs $3,338 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is about 58% cheaper than Medellin, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte sits 48% below the global median, while Medellin is 25% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.35LKR 1,427
$8.03COP 25.1K
-45.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.79LKR 8,133
$48.26COP 150.8K
-48.63%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.54LKR 2,473
$9.77COP 30.5K
-22.82%
Cappuccino
$2.51LKR 823
$2.91COP 9,095
-13.75%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.68LKR 224
$1.94COP 6,074
-64.95%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25LKR 81.4
$1.52COP 4,754
-83.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.19LKR 720
$3.09COP 9,663
-29.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10LKR 1,018
$5.74COP 17.9K
-45.99%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.31LKR 430
$1.36COP 4,262
-3.68%
White Bread(500g)
$0.57LKR 186
$2.39COP 7,460
-76.15%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.69LKR 227
$1.70COP 5,314
-59.41%
Eggs
$1.60LKR 524
$2.87COP 8,967
-44.25%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.31LKR 4,368
$9.94COP 31.1K
33.90%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.38LKR 1,438
$10.78COP 33.7K
-59.37%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.31LKR 1,742
$14.73COP 46.0K
-63.95%
Apples(1kg)
$6.25LKR 2,050
$4.09COP 12.8K
52.81%
Banana(1kg)
$0.88LKR 288
$1.57COP 4,911
-43.95%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.31LKR 1,415
$2.13COP 6,642
102.35%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.19LKR 390
$2.21COP 6,917
-46.15%
Potato(1kg)
$0.93LKR 306
$2.05COP 6,396
-54.63%
Onion(1kg)
$0.75LKR 246
$1.50COP 4,700
-50.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89LKR 293
$1.19COP 3,718
-25.21%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49LKR 160
$1.16COP 3,619
-57.76%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.19LKR 3,017
$3.90COP 12.2K
135.64%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.48LKR 4,093
$14.44COP 45.1K
-13.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.92LKR 630
$1.58COP 4,948
21.52%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.81LKR 923
$2.83COP 8,836
-0.71%
🚌 Getting Around
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$1.17COP 3,650
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$77.7COP 242.9K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.31LKR 102
$1.28COP 4,014
-75.78%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.37LKR 122
$2.09COP 6,537
-82.30%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$0.88LKR 290
$8.62COP 26.9K
-89.79%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.16LKR 379
$1.30COP 4,056
-10.77%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.9KLKR 10.1M
$27.7KCOP 86.4M
11.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.0KLKR 13.8M
$35.5KCOP 110.9M
18.25%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$45.15LKR 14.8K
$176COP 550.1K
-74.36%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.29LKR 1,408
$13.37COP 41.8K
-67.91%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.22LKR 4,009
$29.89COP 93.4K
-59.12%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$14.98LKR 4,915
$44.76COP 139.8K
-66.53%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$17.06COP 53.3K
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.10LKR 1,017
$6.20COP 19.4K
-50.00%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$38.65LKR 12.7K
$793COP 2.5M
-95.13%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$896LKR 293.9K
$9,019COP 28.2M
-90.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$19.93LKR 6,540
$85.6COP 267.5K
-76.72%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$16.57LKR 5,438
$58.5COP 182.7K
-71.66%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.7LKR 25.8K
$136COP 425.9K
-42.23%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$41.75LKR 13.7K
$103COP 322.2K
-59.51%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$307LKR 100.8K
$1,060COP 3.3M
-71.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$228LKR 74.8K
$680COP 2.1M
-66.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$448LKR 146.9K
$2,012COP 6.3M
-77.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$385LKR 126.5K
$1,169COP 3.7M
-67.01%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$671LKR 220.0K
$4,111COP 12.8M
-83.69%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$542LKR 177.9K
$1,701COP 5.3M
-68.13%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$309LKR 101.4K
$665COP 2.1M
-53.56%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.69
10.94
16.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte: August 30, 2026
Last update for Medellin: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $307 in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte versus $1,060 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 115% higher in Medellin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $25.00 in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte versus $48.00 in Medellin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $219 vs $303 – making Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte 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
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte?
Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 139%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. 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 $1,077 per month in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte and $2,574 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 Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Is eating out cheaper in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte or in Medellin?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $25.00 in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte and $48.00 in Medellin. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte and in Medellin?
Groceries cost about 38% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte or in Medellin?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, where all-in costs run around $718, than in Medellin at $1,716. In Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte or Medellin more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte 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 – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. 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.
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte vs other spots: cost of living compared