Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Cholula and Medellin

For one person, living is cheaper in Cholula: $1,077 a month against $1,639 in Medellin, rent and utilities included – about $6,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Cholula, Mexico
Medellin, Colombia
Cholula
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,077
/mo nomad
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,639
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Cholula and in Medellin

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Cholula and in Medellin actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,077 per month in Cholula vs $1,639 in Medellin, rent included.

  • Cholula $1,077
  • Medellin $1,639

A couple spends around $1,703 per month in Cholula vs $2,413 in Medellin, rent included.

  • Cholula $1,703
  • Medellin $2,413

A family of three spends $2,329 per month in Cholula vs $3,186 in Medellin, rent included.

  • Cholula $2,329
  • Medellin $3,186

Cholula is about 34% cheaper than Medellin, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Cholula sits 21% below the global median, while Medellin is 20% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cholula
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.74 MX$199
$8.09 COP 26.1K
32.76%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.05 MX$874
$47.05 COP 151.8K
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.15 MX$170
$9.50 COP 30.7K
-3.68%
Cappuccino
$3.13 MX$58.2
$3.01 COP 9,729
3.99%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51 MX$28.02
$1.80 COP 5,806
-16.11%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.16 MX$21.47
$1.41 COP 4,558
-17.73%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.65 MX$49.26
$3.18 COP 10.2K
-16.67%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.72 MX$87.6
$5.75 COP 18.6K
-17.91%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cholula
Medellin
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.89 MX$35.13
$1.51 COP 4,873
25.17%
White Bread (500g)
$3.06 MX$56.8
$2.38 COP 7,673
28.57%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.73 MX$32.11
$1.77 COP 5,716
-2.26%
Eggs
$2.65 MX$49.15
$2.89 COP 9,327
-8.30%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.22 MX$116
$10.19 COP 32.9K
-38.96%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.54 MX$103
$9.87 COP 31.9K
-43.87%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.90 MX$202
$13.99 COP 45.1K
-22.09%
Apples (1kg)
$2.56 MX$47.48
$3.97 COP 12.8K
-35.52%
Banana (1kg)
$1.74 MX$32.36
$1.55 COP 5,009
12.26%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.90 MX$35.36
$2.18 COP 7,044
-12.84%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.93 MX$35.93
$2.18 COP 7,047
-11.47%
Potato (1kg)
$1.76 MX$32.61
$1.96 COP 6,333
-10.20%
Onion (1kg)
$1.77 MX$32.91
$1.59 COP 5,129
11.32%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.46 MX$27.17
$1.15 COP 3,696
26.96%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.21 MX$22.39
$1.24 COP 4,012
-2.42%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.47 MX$83.0
$3.96 COP 12.8K
12.88%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.71 MX$255
$13.68 COP 44.2K
0.22%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38 MX$25.65
$1.66 COP 5,356
-16.87%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.58 MX$47.94
$2.26 COP 7,286
14.16%
🚌 Getting Around
Cholula
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.48 MX$8.90
$1.17 COP 3,769
-58.97%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$18.92 MX$351
$77.4 COP 249.7K
-75.55%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.29 MX$61.1
$1.27 COP 4,092
159.06%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.53 MX$46.97
$2.05 COP 6,608
23.41%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$15.77 MX$293
$8.55 COP 27.6K
84.44%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.41 MX$26.14
$1.35 COP 4,346
4.44%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6K MX$457.5K
$34.1K COP 109.9M
-27.69%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.9K MX$425.6K
$34.7K COP 111.9M
-33.89%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cholula
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$58.1 MX$1,079
$170 COP 547.5K
-65.75%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.53 MX$344
$13.55 COP 43.7K
36.75%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.47 MX$436
$28.07 COP 90.6K
-16.39%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cholula
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$71.3 MX$1,324
$43.70 COP 141.0K
63.20%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.93 MX$370
$17.19 COP 55.5K
15.94%
Cinema Ticket
$5.45 MX$101
$6.91 COP 22.3K
-21.13%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cholula
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$257 MX$4,777
$797 COP 2.6M
-67.71%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,548 MX$84.5K
$9,112 COP 29.4M
-50.08%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cholula
Medellin
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.3 MX$953
$84.7 COP 273.4K
-39.40%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.70 MX$812
$58.0 COP 187.0K
-24.60%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$102 MX$1,894
$135 COP 435.5K
-24.44%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$95.9 MX$1,782
$97.9 COP 315.8K
-1.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cholula
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$431 MX$8,007
$1,208 COP 3.9M
-64.30%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$286 MX$5,314
$642 COP 2.1M
-55.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$582 MX$10.8K
$2,028 COP 6.5M
-71.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$472 MX$8,769
$1,012 COP 3.3M
-53.33%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,927 MX$35.8K
$4,170 COP 13.5M
-53.78%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,145 MX$21.3K
$1,910 COP 6.2M
-40.05%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cholula
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$792 MX$14.7K
$657 COP 2.1M
20.55%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.96
10.94
0.18%

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

Last update for Cholula: October 25, 2026

Last update for Medellin: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Cholula
$286
Medellin
$642 124% $355
Groceries & Markets
Cholula
$255
Medellin
$297 16.3% $42
Eating Out
Cholula
$184
Medellin
$170 8% $15
Clothing & Footwear
Cholula
$132
Medellin
$169 28.2% $37
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cholula
$100
Medellin
$211 111% $111
Sport & Entertainment
Cholula
$82
Medellin
$58 30% $25
Getting Around
Cholula
$37
Medellin
$94 154% $57

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $431 in Cholula versus $1,208 in Medellin. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 21% higher in Cholula, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Cholula versus $47 in Medellin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $255 vs $297 – making Cholula the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇲🇽 Cholula
🇨🇴 Medellin
🕒 Local time
21:22 9:22 PM
22:22 10:22 PM
1 h ahead of Cholula
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
908
2,486,723
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

COP, USD, EUR to MXN – Mexican Peso Converter

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 USD = 18.57 MXN (100 MXN = 5.38 USD). 1 EUR = 20.81 MXN (100 MXN = 4.8 EUR).

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 USD = 3,227 COP (10,000 COP = 3.1 USD). 1 EUR = 3,617 COP (10,000 COP = 2.76 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Cholula Medellin 2,840 km ≈ 4 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Cholula
  • Medellin

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Cholula vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Cholula or Medellin?
Medellin costs about 52% more than Cholula, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from transport. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Cholula and in Medellin?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,615 per month in Cholula and $2,459 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Cholula or Medellin?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Cholula, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $431 there versus $1,208 in Medellin.
How much does it cost to live in Cholula compared to Medellin?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,077 in Cholula and $1,639 in Medellin. That makes Cholula about 34% cheaper.
How do childcare costs compare in Cholula and in Medellin?
Kindergarten costs $257 per month in Cholula and $797 in Medellin. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Cholula or in Medellin?
$1,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $1,077 in Cholula and $1,639 in Medellin. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Cholula or Medellin?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Cholula costs $1,077 versus $1,639 in Medellin. Both appeal to remote workers, and the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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