For one person, living costs in Cali are estimated at $1,060 a month, including rent and utilities – 20% below the national average. Rent and utilities take more than 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 $1,060 monthly including rent, or $662 excluding housing.
$1,060 /mo
Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,626 with rent, or $1,123 without housing.
$1,626 /mo
Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,192 including rent, or $1,584 for daily expenses alone.
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.4KCOP 112.1M
$34.4KCOP 109.2M
$36.3KCOP 115.0M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$110COP 347.5K
$99.7COP 316.0K
$113COP 358.0K
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.96COP 41.1K
$6.81COP 21.6K
$17.04COP 54.0K
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.06COP 95.3K
$28.05COP 89.0K
$31.90COP 101.2K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$28.81COP 91.3K
$22.00COP 69.7K
$31.43COP 99.6K
Cinema Ticket
$8.40COP 26.6K
$5.71COP 18.1K
$11.10COP 35.2K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$78.4COP 248.5K
$78.4COP 248.5K
$78.4COP 248.5K
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$53.2COP 168.8K
$50.5COP 160.0K
$53.2COP 168.8K
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$126COP 398.3K
$126COP 398.3K
$126COP 398.3K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111COP 351.4K
$105COP 333.6K
$116COP 369.3K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$655COP 2.1M
$478COP 1.5M
$828COP 2.6M
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$288COP 914.6K
$288COP 914.6K
$308COP 977.2K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,558COP 4.9M
$1,558COP 4.9M
$1,558COP 4.9M
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$498COP 1.6M
$440COP 1.4M
$509COP 1.6M
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$585COP 1.9M
-
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 12, 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$1,060
Cali$2,192
🏠Accommodation & Living
$288 27.2%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$239 22.5%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$166 15.6%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$153 14.4%
🍽Eating Out
$133 12.6%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$46 4.3%
🚌Getting Around
$35 * 3.3%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
🏠Accommodation & Living
$498 22.7%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$547 25%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$368 16.8%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$166 7.6%
🍽Eating Out
$449 20.5%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$91 * 4.2%
🚌Getting Around
$73 * 3.3%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
Cost Breakdown
🏠Expect to pay about $655 for a central one-bedroom, or $288 outside the center. At 112% of the average salary ($585), housing is the biggest financial pressure.
💰Average take-home pay sits at $585, while typical expenses reach $1,060. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.
🛒Expect to spend about $239 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $37.00 for two.
🚌Public transport is priced at around $30.29 per month.
Cost Highlights
⭐Cali has the 10th most expensive 3-bedroom apartment, city center in South America
⭐Cappuccino is cheaper than 94% of cities in South America
⭐1-bedroom apartment, city center is more expensive than 93% 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 $1,060 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 $1,060 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 $585 take-home, most residents in Cali can cover the $1,060 monthly cost of living. Those earning $1,590 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 $655; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $288. Overall, the market runs from $288 to $655 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
What is a monthly transit pass in Cali?
A monthly transit pass in Cali runs about $30.29, 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 $30.29, 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 $1,060. 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 $1,060 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 $1,060, so putting money aside takes more than $1,590 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 $1,060 for residents – backpackers can do less with some planning.