For one person, living costs in Cali are estimated at $1,054 a month, including rent and utilities – 20% below the national average. Rent and utilities take about a third of the total.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Cali actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Living costs for one person come to about $1,054 monthly including rent, or $681 excluding housing.
$1,054 /mo
Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,614 with rent, or $1,019 without housing.
$1,614 /mo
Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,174 including rent, or $1,356 for daily expenses alone.
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.7KCOP 107.4M
$32.8KCOP 104.6M
$34.6KCOP 110.2M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$111COP 354.4K
$101COP 322.2K
$115COP 365.1K
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.79COP 40.8K
$6.74COP 21.5K
$12.99COP 41.4K
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.75COP 94.8K
$26.98COP 86.0K
$30.68COP 97.8K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$28.38COP 90.4K
$21.67COP 69.1K
$30.96COP 98.7K
Cinema Ticket
$8.24COP 26.2K
$5.59COP 17.8K
$10.88COP 34.7K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.8COP 241.4K
$75.8COP 241.4K
$75.8COP 241.4K
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$53.8COP 171.5K
$51.0COP 162.5K
$53.8COP 171.5K
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$122COP 390.3K
$122COP 390.3K
$122COP 390.3K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COP 347.1K
$103COP 329.5K
$114COP 364.7K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$638COP 2.0M
$466COP 1.5M
$807COP 2.6M
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$291COP 927.7K
$291COP 927.7K
$311COP 991.1K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,498COP 4.8M
$1,498COP 4.8M
$1,498COP 4.8M
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$479COP 1.5M
$423COP 1.3M
$490COP 1.6M
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$567COP 1.8M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.58
9.6
14
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: October 4, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Cali$1,054
Cali$2,174
🏠Accommodation & Living
$291 27.6%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$235 22.3%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$162 15.4%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$154 14.6%
🍽Eating Out
$132 12.5%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$45 4.3%
🚌Getting Around
$34 * 3.2%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
🏠Accommodation & Living
$479 22.3%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$538 25%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$361 16.8%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$167 7.8%
🍽Eating Out
$445 20.7%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$90 * 4.2%
🚌Getting Around
$70 * 3.3%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
Cost Breakdown
🏠Expect to pay about $638 for a central one-bedroom, or $291 outside the center. At 113% of the average salary ($567), housing is the biggest financial pressure.
💰Average take-home pay sits at $567, while typical expenses reach $1,054. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.
🛒Expect to spend about $235 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $37.00 for two.
🚌Public transport is priced at around $29.00 per month.
Cost Highlights
⭐3-bedroom apartment, city center is more expensive than 97% of cities in South America
⭐Cappuccino is cheaper than 93% of cities in South America
⭐1-bedroom apartment, city center is more expensive than 91% of cities in South America
Popular online taxi apps offering convenient, cashless rides in many countries, including Uber, Bolt, Grab, inDrive, DiDi, Careem, Gojek, Maxim, and Yango
Spanish is commonly spoken or the national language
Cost of Living in Cali - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Cali, Colombia stack up for value compared with other Latin American cities, for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Compared with many regional hubs, Cali, Colombia offers a balanced feel for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. You’ll often hear that value comes from a mix of affordable housing in older or up-and-coming neighborhoods, good public transport, and inexpensive, flavorful food options. The Cost of Living in Cali, Colombia is shaped by local markets, cafe culture, and mid-range coworking spaces that stay comfortable year-round. Expect contrasts between leafy central areas and more affordable outskirts, with safety, language, and seasonal rains shaping daily routines. Tip: pick a neighborhood that aligns with your work hours and preferred pace, and test commute times before committing.
What are practical day-to-day realities when living in Cali, such as housing search, food options, transportation, and coworking or errands?
Expect a mix of options when finding a place: older apartments with character tend to be more budget-friendly, while newer buildings offer better amenities and more predictable maintenance. For daily life, you’ll find vibrant mercados, affordable street food, and dependable transit options like buses and ride-hailing apps. Car-free days are feasible if you plan around neighborhoods with overall amenities and coworking spaces nearby. For a realistic view of Cali, Colombia living cost, tally rent, utilities, and a monthly transit plan against a few meal budgets. Tip: map a few core neighborhoods and visit during different times to gauge noise, safety, and accessibility.
How would you frame a budgeting approach and neighborhood fit for a longer stay, including seasonality, safety, and lifestyle considerations?
Adopt a simple budgeting framework: split costs into housing, food, transport, and extras, then track leftovers for the month. In Cali, climate and seasonal festivals shift what you spend on entertainment and fresh produce, but local options stay flavorful and affordable compared with tourist spots. Neighborhood fit matters: Centro Histórico and surrounding districts offer walkable access; alternative residential pockets provide quieter mornings. For quality of life, build a weekly rhythm that blends coworking with cafe time, prefer safety-minded routes, and set aside a buffer for irregulars, like repairs or occasional longer trips. Tip: test monthly passes for transit and choose a flexible lease to adapt as you settle in.
Does Cali offer good value for money?
At around $1,054 monthly all-in, Cali offers decent value. It's not the cheapest and not the priciest – a good fit for people who want city convenience without capital-level costs.
How expensive is daily life in Cali?
Everyday life in Cali is moderately priced at about $1,054 per month, rent included. Groceries and transport stay reasonable, though dining out and entertainment can feel a bit pricier than in budget destinations.
Is the average income in Cali enough to cover living costs and save?
At $567 take-home, most residents in Cali can cover the $1,054 monthly cost of living. Those earning $1,581 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.
How much should I budget for housing in Cali?
Where you live in Cali makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $638; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $291. Overall, the market runs from $291 to $638 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
What is a monthly transit pass in Cali?
A monthly transit pass in Cali runs about $29.00, with good coverage across residential and business areas. It's entirely feasible to live car-free here for daily commuting and errands.
What does commuting cost in Cali?
A monthly transit pass in Cali goes for roughly $29.00, which is one of the lighter items on a monthly budget. Coverage across residential and business areas is solid, and most residents without a car rely on it daily.
Is $1,500 a month enough for Cali?
Living on $1,500 in Cali means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,054. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
Is Cali a good city to live in long-term?
Cali offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value fast internet, vibrant nightlife, remote work facilities, and at around $1,054 per month, it's accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.
Is it possible to save on a local salary in Cali?
Monthly expenses in Cali run around $1,054, so putting money aside takes more than $1,581 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.
How budget-friendly is Cali for travelers?
Budget travel in Cali works but takes effort. Hostels, street food, and local restaurants keep daily costs reasonable. All-in monthly expenses run about $1,054 for residents – backpackers can do less with some planning.