🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $184 in Belvaux versus $1,687 in Medellin.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $226 in Belvaux versus $2,535 in Medellin.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $268 in Belvaux versus $3,383 in Medellin.
🌍Living in Belvaux costs roughly 89% less than in Medellin, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Belvaux is 87% below, Medellin is 23% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Belvaux
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$7.89COP 24.2K
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$44.53COP 136.5K
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$9.29COP 28.5K
-
Cappuccino
-
$2.90COP 8,874
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.81COP 5,541
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.55COP 4,741
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$3.25COP 9,962
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$5.88COP 18.0K
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Belvaux
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$1.38COP 4,230
-
White Bread(500g)
-
$2.45COP 7,517
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$1.51COP 4,617
-
Eggs
-
$2.78COP 8,516
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$9.05COP 27.7K
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$10.65COP 32.6K
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$14.63COP 44.8K
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$3.97COP 12.2K
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$1.38COP 4,219
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$2.30COP 7,056
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$2.02COP 6,185
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$2.09COP 6,390
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$1.63COP 4,996
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$1.08COP 3,313
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.25COP 3,843
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$4.03COP 12.4K
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$13.47COP 41.3K
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.60COP 4,904
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.00COP 9,189
-
🚌 Getting Around
Belvaux
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$1.18COP 3,611
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$79.9COP 244.9K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$1.61COP 4,920
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$2.13COP 6,533
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$8.52COP 26.1K
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$1.35COP 4,142
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$28.3KCOP 86.8M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$35.7KCOP 109.4M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Belvaux
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$151COP 463.8K
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$91.1€77.9
$13.10COP 40.1K
595.42%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$91.1€77.9
$32.30COP 99.0K
181.98%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Belvaux
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$46.33COP 141.9K
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$17.26COP 52.9K
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$6.43COP 19.7K
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Belvaux
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$835COP 2.6M
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$8,887COP 27.2M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Belvaux
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$89.3COP 273.7K
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$55.3COP 169.5K
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$137COP 418.5K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$109COP 335.1K
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Belvaux
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$952COP 2.9M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$668COP 2.0M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$2,020COP 6.2M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,148COP 3.5M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,696COP 11.3M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,586COP 4.9M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Belvaux
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$6,172€5,280
$625COP 1.9M
886.84%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
10.43
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Belvaux: August 18, 2026
Last update for Medellin: August 17, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Belvaux pays 887% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
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
Belvaux vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Belvaux or Medellin?
Belvaux wins on cost – living expenses run 815% lower than in Medellin. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Belvaux the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Belvaux or in Medellin?
Average pay runs 887% higher in Belvaux, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Belvaux or in Medellin?
At $184 in Belvaux versus $1,687 in Medellin, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Belvaux but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Belvaux the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Belvaux or Medellin?
Both work as nomad bases, but Belvaux delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $184 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Belvaux hard to pass up.
How safe is Belvaux compared to Medellin?
Safety-wise, Belvaux and Medellin are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Belvaux gentler on the wallet – expenses run 815% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.