🙂A single person spends $904 per month in Stara Zagora vs $1,681 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,414 per month in Stara Zagora vs $2,445 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,925 per month in Stara Zagora vs $3,210 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂Stara Zagora is about 46% cheaper than Medellin, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Stara Zagora sits 34% below the global median, while Medellin is 23% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Stara Zagora
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.80BGN 17.97
$8.02COP 25.0K
34.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.3BGN 87.0
$47.87COP 149.4K
9.21%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.43BGN 15.69
$9.89COP 30.8K
-4.65%
Cappuccino
$2.29BGN 3.82
$3.13COP 9,767
-26.84%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.56BGN 2.59
$1.91COP 5,954
-18.32%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.92BGN 1.53
$1.51COP 4,712
-39.07%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.32BGN 3.86
$3.12COP 9,747
-25.64%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.10BGN 3.49
$5.75COP 17.9K
-63.48%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Stara Zagora
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.86BGN 3.09
$1.44COP 4,509
29.17%
White Bread(500g)
$0.89BGN 1.49
$2.49COP 7,759
-64.26%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.51BGN 2.51
$1.77COP 5,535
-14.69%
Eggs
$2.34BGN 3.89
$2.96COP 9,235
-20.95%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.34BGN 15.54
$10.07COP 31.4K
-7.25%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.81BGN 11.34
$10.12COP 31.6K
-32.71%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.52BGN 14.18
$14.30COP 44.6K
-40.42%
Apples(1kg)
$1.36BGN 2.26
$4.14COP 12.9K
-67.15%
Banana(1kg)
$1.68BGN 2.79
$1.61COP 5,019
4.35%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.75BGN 2.91
$2.25COP 7,007
-22.22%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.95BGN 3.24
$2.25COP 7,028
-13.33%
Potato(1kg)
$1.02BGN 1.70
$2.04COP 6,375
-50.00%
Onion(1kg)
$0.79BGN 1.31
$1.54COP 4,790
-48.70%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.58BGN 0.96
$1.17COP 3,651
-50.43%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.68BGN 1.14
$1.31COP 4,077
-48.09%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.90BGN 6.49
$3.90COP 12.2K
-
Wine(Bottle)
$5.16BGN 8.59
$14.01COP 43.7K
-63.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.18BGN 1.97
$1.74COP 5,439
-32.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79BGN 2.97
$2.87COP 8,956
-37.63%
🚌 Getting Around
Stara Zagora
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.93BGN 1.55
$1.22COP 3,792
-23.77%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.62BGN 30.97
$80.5COP 251.1K
-76.86%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.33BGN 2.21
$1.31COP 4,084
1.53%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.68BGN 1.13
$2.19COP 6,825
-68.95%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$12.02BGN 20.00
$8.71COP 27.2K
38.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.58BGN 2.63
$1.37COP 4,260
15.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.8KBGN 51.2K
$27.8KCOP 86.9M
10.54%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.9KBGN 34.9K
$35.8KCOP 111.6M
-41.44%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Stara Zagora
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$94.5BGN 157
$177COP 553.2K
-46.73%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.98BGN 24.92
$13.88COP 43.3K
7.93%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.50BGN 20.79
$29.72COP 92.8K
-57.94%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Stara Zagora
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$27.89BGN 46.40
$44.88COP 140.1K
-37.86%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.77BGN 36.21
$17.12COP 53.4K
27.16%
Cinema Ticket
$8.89BGN 14.79
$6.65COP 20.7K
33.68%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Stara Zagora
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$239BGN 397
$813COP 2.5M
-70.61%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,395BGN 3,984
$9,187COP 28.7M
-73.93%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Stara Zagora
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$31.86BGN 53.0
$89.5COP 279.3K
-64.40%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.81BGN 32.95
$59.0COP 184.0K
-66.41%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$65.6BGN 109
$138COP 431.2K
-52.51%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$52.8BGN 87.9
$102COP 318.7K
-48.28%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Stara Zagora
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$299BGN 497
$1,062COP 3.3M
-71.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$263BGN 438
$663COP 2.1M
-60.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$516BGN 858
$1,888COP 5.9M
-72.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$407BGN 677
$1,027COP 3.2M
-60.38%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,496BGN 2,488
$4,183COP 13.1M
-64.25%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,101BGN 1,831
$1,675COP 5.2M
-34.27%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Stara Zagora
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,086BGN 1,807
$678COP 2.1M
60.29%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
2.99
10.94
-72.67%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Stara Zagora: September 14, 2026
Last update for Medellin: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $299 in Stara Zagora versus $1,062 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 60% higher in Stara Zagora, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $52.0 in Stara Zagora versus $48.00 in Medellin. Groceries tell a different story – $199 in Stara Zagora vs $305 in Medellin – so Stara Zagora 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
Stara Zagora vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Stara Zagora?
Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 86%, 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 $1,356 per month in Stara Zagora and $2,521 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 Stara Zagora, 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 Stara Zagora or in Medellin?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $52.0 in Stara Zagora and $48.00 in Medellin. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Stara Zagora and in Medellin?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $904 in Stara Zagora and $1,681 in Medellin. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Stara Zagora or in Medellin?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Stara Zagora, where all-in costs run around $904, than in Medellin at $1,681. In Stara Zagora it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Stara Zagora or Medellin more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Stara Zagora – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Stara Zagora 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 Stara Zagora. 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.
Stara Zagora vs other spots: cost of living compared