Cost of Living Comparison Between Bamenda and Medellin Cost of Living Comparison Between Bamenda and Medellin

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $342 per month in Bamenda vs $1,017 in Medellin, rent included.

A couple spends around $526 per month in Bamenda vs $1,602 in Medellin, rent included.

A family of three spends $711 per month in Bamenda vs $2,188 in Medellin, rent included.

Bamenda is about 66% cheaper than Medellin, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Bamenda and Medellin are more affordable than the global median – Bamenda 75% lower, Medellin 24% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.79 FCFA 1,013

$5.95 COP 20.8K

-69.92%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$33.33 COP 116.3K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.04 FCFA 3,413

$7.23 COP 25.2K

-16.46%

Cappuccino

$0.89 FCFA 504

$1.63 COP 5,687

-45.40%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.50 FCFA 285

$1.09 COP 3,821

-54.13%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 FCFA 205

$0.73 COP 2,548

-50.68%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.31 FCFA 742

$1.74 COP 6,065

-24.71%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.72 FCFA 974

$3.23 COP 11.3K

-46.75%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.71 FCFA 1,532

$1.05 COP 3,662

158.10%

White Bread (500g)

$0.64 FCFA 359

$1.29 COP 4,515

-50.39%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.99 FCFA 560

$1.32 COP 4,617

-25.00%

Eggs

$3.28 FCFA 1,852

$2.27 COP 7,927

44.49%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.35 COP 15.2K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.37 FCFA 2,467

$5.88 COP 20.5K

-25.68%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.33 FCFA 3,008

$8.61 COP 30.0K

-38.10%

Apples (1kg)

$2.62 FCFA 1,482

$2.25 COP 7,844

16.44%

Banana (1kg)

$0.90 FCFA 506

$1.07 COP 3,733

-15.89%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.73 FCFA 410

$1.52 COP 5,322

-51.97%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.91 FCFA 517

$1.42 COP 4,964

-35.92%

Potato (1kg)

$1.38 FCFA 777

$1.17 COP 4,084

17.95%

Onion (1kg)

$1.08 FCFA 608

$1.17 COP 4,077

-7.69%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.55 FCFA 312

$0.89 COP 3,096

-38.20%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.68 FCFA 387

$0.90 COP 3,146

-24.44%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.38 FCFA 782

$2.25 COP 7,837

-38.67%

Wine (Bottle)

$8.95 FCFA 5,057

$11.04 COP 38.5K

-18.93%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.30 FCFA 734

$1.14 COP 3,977

14.04%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.38 FCFA 781

$2.38 COP 8,301

-42.02%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.72 FCFA 974

$0.84 COP 2,916

104.76%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.95 COP 146.4K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.43 FCFA 241

$1.41 COP 4,912

-69.50%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.33 FCFA 189

$1.90 COP 6,634

-82.63%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.00 FCFA 3,390

$7.75 COP 27.0K

-22.58%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.31 FCFA 742

$1.01 COP 3,509

29.70%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$17.6K COP 61.4M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.5K COP 92.5M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$83.7 COP 292.1K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$17.56 FCFA 9,918

$9.45 COP 33.0K

85.82%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$34.13 FCFA 19.3K

$24.11 COP 84.1K

41.56%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$9.07 FCFA 5,120

$25.31 COP 88.3K

-64.16%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.14 COP 66.8K

Cinema Ticket

$4.10 COP 14.3K

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$312 COP 1.1M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,993 COP 20.9M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$26.97 FCFA 15.2K

$58.0 COP 202.6K

-53.53%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$32.56 COP 113.6K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$44.67 FCFA 25.2K

$99.6 COP 347.7K

-55.16%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$61.9 FCFA 35.0K

$109 COP 378.8K

-42.95%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$482 COP 1.7M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$379 COP 1.3M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$837 COP 2.9M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$723 COP 2.5M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,840 COP 9.9M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,223 COP 4.3M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$106 FCFA 59.9K

$541 COP 1.9M

-80.40%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.43

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Bamenda: June 9, 2026

Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 410% higher in Medellin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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

Bamenda vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $342 in Bamenda, $1,017 in Medellin – roughly 197% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $513 per month in Bamenda and $1,525 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $342 in Bamenda and $1,017 in Medellin. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 20% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Bamenda, where all-in costs run around $342, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Bamenda it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $342 in Bamenda to $1,017 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Bamenda. 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.