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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $351 per month in Bamenda vs $1,003 in Medellin, rent included.

A couple spends around $534 per month in Bamenda vs $1,573 in Medellin, rent included.

A family of three spends $716 per month in Bamenda vs $2,143 in Medellin, rent included.

Bamenda is about 65% cheaper than Medellin, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Bamenda and Medellin are more affordable than the global median – Bamenda 74% lower, Medellin 25% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.72 FCFA 976

$5.91 COP 18.6K

-70.90%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.96 COP 103.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.20 FCFA 3,522

$7.43 COP 23.4K

-16.55%

Cappuccino

$0.85 FCFA 483

$1.65 COP 5,207

-48.48%

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

$0.55 FCFA 311

$1.10 COP 3,468

-50.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 FCFA 206

$0.78 COP 2,458

-53.85%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.32 FCFA 748

$1.72 COP 5,412

-23.26%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.75 FCFA 993

$3.18 COP 10.0K

-44.97%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.67 FCFA 1,515

$1.10 COP 3,474

142.73%

White Bread (500g)

$0.60 FCFA 339

$1.26 COP 3,962

-52.38%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.95 FCFA 538

$1.38 COP 4,349

-31.16%

Eggs

$3.19 FCFA 1,813

$2.18 COP 6,858

46.33%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.49 COP 14.1K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.39 FCFA 2,495

$5.79 COP 18.2K

-24.18%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$5.44 FCFA 3,089

$8.97 COP 28.2K

-39.35%

Apples (1kg)

$2.72 FCFA 1,545

$2.32 COP 7,308

17.24%

Banana (1kg)

$0.85 FCFA 481

$1.06 COP 3,352

-19.81%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.70 FCFA 395

$1.52 COP 4,774

-53.95%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.90 FCFA 511

$1.36 COP 4,270

-33.82%

Potato (1kg)

$1.37 FCFA 777

$1.13 COP 3,552

21.24%

Onion (1kg)

$1.09 FCFA 618

$1.17 COP 3,689

-6.84%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.58 FCFA 330

$0.90 COP 2,838

-35.56%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.72 FCFA 410

$0.90 COP 2,823

-20.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.42 FCFA 807

$2.23 COP 7,034

-36.32%

Wine (Bottle)

$10.18 FCFA 5,780

$12.12 COP 38.2K

-16.01%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.29 FCFA 731

$1.19 COP 3,743

8.40%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.37 FCFA 779

$2.48 COP 7,815

-44.76%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.79 FCFA 1,015

$0.85 COP 2,687

110.59%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.62 COP 131.0K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.45 FCFA 258

$1.42 COP 4,459

-68.31%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.31 FCFA 175

$1.95 COP 6,141

-84.10%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.09 FCFA 3,457

$7.89 COP 24.8K

-22.81%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.28 FCFA 724

$0.99 COP 3,118

29.29%

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

$17.6K COP 55.4M

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

$26.8K COP 84.4M

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

$83.0 COP 261.4K

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

$17.76 FCFA 10.1K

$9.70 COP 30.5K

83.09%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$33.77 FCFA 19.2K

$23.52 COP 74.1K

43.58%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$8.87 FCFA 5,036

$25.26 COP 79.5K

-64.89%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.10 COP 60.1K

Cinema Ticket

$3.95 COP 12.4K

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

$316 COP 994.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,975 COP 18.8M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$26.91 FCFA 15.3K

$60.0 COP 188.9K

-55.15%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.82 COP 100.2K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$44.93 FCFA 25.5K

$102 COP 320.1K

-55.81%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$60.7 FCFA 34.5K

$107 COP 338.3K

-43.51%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$475 COP 1.5M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$374 COP 1.2M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$849 COP 2.7M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$719 COP 2.3M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,265 COP 10.3M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,441 COP 4.5M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$98.9 FCFA 56.2K

$624 COP 2.0M

-84.16%

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: July 27, 2026

Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 531% 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: $351 in Bamenda, $1,003 in Medellin – roughly 186% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $527 per month in Bamenda and $1,504 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $351 in Bamenda and $1,003 in Medellin. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 21% 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 $351, than in Medellin at $1,003. 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 $351 in Bamenda to $1,003 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.