🙂A single person spends $812 per month in Bahia de Caraquez vs $1,681 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,389 per month in Bahia de Caraquez vs $2,445 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,966 per month in Bahia de Caraquez vs $3,210 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂Bahia de Caraquez is about 52% cheaper than Medellin, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Bahia de Caraquez sits 41% below the global median, while Medellin is 23% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bahia de Caraquez
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.11$4.11
$8.02COP 25.0K
-48.75%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.59$49.59
$47.87COP 149.4K
3.59%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.68$9.68
$9.89COP 30.8K
-2.12%
Cappuccino
$2.83$2.83
$3.13COP 9,767
-9.58%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84$0.84
$1.91COP 5,954
-56.02%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.68$0.68
$1.51COP 4,712
-54.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.06$3.06
$3.12COP 9,747
-1.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.34$4.34
$5.75COP 17.9K
-24.52%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bahia de Caraquez
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.16$1.16
$1.44COP 4,509
-19.44%
White Bread(500g)
$1.95$1.95
$2.49COP 7,759
-21.69%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.43$1.43
$1.77COP 5,535
-19.21%
Eggs
$2.04$2.04
$2.96COP 9,235
-31.08%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.89$6.89
$10.07COP 31.4K
-31.58%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.19$5.19
$10.12COP 31.6K
-48.72%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.36$9.36
$14.30COP 44.6K
-34.55%
Apples(1kg)
$1.52$1.52
$4.14COP 12.9K
-63.29%
Banana(1kg)
$1.14$1.14
$1.61COP 5,019
-29.19%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.03$1.03
$2.25COP 7,007
-54.22%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.97$0.97
$2.25COP 7,028
-56.89%
Potato(1kg)
$1.23$1.23
$2.04COP 6,375
-39.71%
Onion(1kg)
$0.96$0.96
$1.54COP 4,790
-37.66%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.81$0.81
$1.17COP 3,651
-30.77%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.94$0.94
$1.31COP 4,077
-28.24%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.85$5.85
$3.90COP 12.2K
50.00%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.10$12.10
$14.01COP 43.7K
-13.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.50$1.50
$1.74COP 5,439
-13.79%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11$2.11
$2.87COP 8,956
-26.48%
🚌 Getting Around
Bahia de Caraquez
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.38$0.38
$1.22COP 3,792
-68.85%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.62$18.62
$80.5COP 251.1K
-76.86%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.36$1.36
$1.31COP 4,084
3.82%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.71$1.71
$2.19COP 6,825
-21.92%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$12.08$12.08
$8.71COP 27.2K
38.69%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.83$0.83
$1.37COP 4,260
-39.42%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.8K$20.8K
$27.8KCOP 86.9M
-25.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.8K$31.8K
$35.8KCOP 111.6M
-11.09%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bahia de Caraquez
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$36.55$36.55
$177COP 553.2K
-79.39%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.14$15.14
$13.88COP 43.3K
9.08%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.75$25.75
$29.72COP 92.8K
-13.36%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bahia de Caraquez
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$28.52$28.52
$44.88COP 140.1K
-36.45%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.16$17.16
$17.12COP 53.4K
0.23%
Cinema Ticket
$7.42$7.42
$6.65COP 20.7K
11.58%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bahia de Caraquez
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$407$407
$813COP 2.5M
-49.89%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,019$6,019
$9,187COP 28.7M
-34.48%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bahia de Caraquez
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$66.4$66.4
$89.5COP 279.3K
-25.77%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.80$39.80
$59.0COP 184.0K
-32.51%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$127$127
$138COP 431.2K
-7.92%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$94.1$94.1
$102COP 318.7K
-7.89%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bahia de Caraquez
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$259$259
$1,062COP 3.3M
-75.62%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$190$190
$663COP 2.1M
-71.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$610$610
$1,888COP 5.9M
-67.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$411$411
$1,027COP 3.2M
-60.02%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,276$1,276
$4,183COP 13.1M
-69.50%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$705$705
$1,675COP 5.2M
-57.88%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bahia de Caraquez
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$678COP 2.1M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.05
10.94
-8.14%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bahia de Caraquez: September 14, 2026
Last update for Medellin: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $259 in Bahia de Caraquez 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.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $50.0 in Bahia de Caraquez versus $48.00 in Medellin. Groceries tell a different story – $199 in Bahia de Caraquez vs $305 in Medellin – so Bahia de Caraquez 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
Bahia de Caraquez vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Bahia de Caraquez and in Medellin compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $812 in Bahia de Caraquez, $1,681 in Medellin – roughly 107% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Bahia de Caraquez compared to Medellin?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,218 per month in Bahia de Caraquez and $2,521 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Bahia de Caraquez and Medellin?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Bahia de Caraquez, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Bahia de Caraquez and Medellin?
Kindergarten costs $407 per month in Bahia de Caraquez and $813 in Medellin. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 53% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Bahia de Caraquez, where all-in costs run around $812, than in Medellin at $1,681. In Bahia de Caraquez it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Bahia de Caraquez and Medellin?
It depends on your priorities. Bahia de Caraquez has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $812 in Bahia de Caraquez to $1,681 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Bahia de Caraquez or Medellin safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Bahia de Caraquez and Medellin?
If budget matters most, go with Bahia de Caraquez. 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.
Bahia de Caraquez vs other spots: cost of living compared