🙂A single person spends $583 per month in Gabes vs $1,443 in Santa Marta, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $915 per month in Gabes vs $1,710 in Santa Marta, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,248 per month in Gabes vs $1,976 in Santa Marta, rent included.
🙂Gabes is about 60% cheaper than Santa Marta, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Gabes sits 58% below the global median, while Santa Marta is 5% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Gabes
Santa Marta
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.87TND 8.27
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.05TND 55.0
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.50TND 10.11
-
-
Cappuccino
$0.80TND 2.30
$3.77COP 11.6K
-78.78%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.83TND 2.38
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27TND 0.78
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.18TND 3.42
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.62TND 4.68
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Gabes
Santa Marta
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.48TND 1.39
$1.56COP 4,810
-69.23%
White Bread(500g)
$0.27TND 0.79
$2.20COP 6,758
-87.73%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.29TND 3.71
$1.24COP 3,812
4.03%
Eggs
$1.73TND 4.99
$2.56COP 7,881
-32.42%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.37TND 35.69
$8.43COP 25.9K
46.74%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.61TND 16.19
$9.98COP 30.7K
-43.79%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.32TND 41.33
$11.24COP 34.6K
27.40%
Apples(1kg)
$1.92TND 5.53
$4.16COP 12.8K
-53.85%
Banana(1kg)
$2.95TND 8.50
$1.04COP 3,193
183.65%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.87TND 2.51
$1.12COP 3,455
-22.32%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.76TND 2.20
$2.06COP 6,327
-63.11%
Potato(1kg)
$0.83TND 2.39
$0.93COP 2,869
-10.75%
Onion(1kg)
$0.62TND 1.78
$1.57COP 4,846
-60.51%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.36TND 1.03
$0.99COP 3,050
-63.64%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.30TND 0.86
$0.62COP 1,920
-51.61%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.34TND 9.64
$4.04COP 12.4K
-17.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$3.52TND 10.15
$17.75COP 54.6K
-80.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.69TND 1.99
$1.44COP 4,419
-52.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.83TND 2.38
$1.46COP 4,494
-43.15%
🚌 Getting Around
Gabes
Santa Marta
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.22TND 0.64
$0.97COP 2,980
-77.32%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$6.90TND 19.90
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.32TND 0.93
$3.23COP 9,941
-90.09%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.22TND 0.64
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.14TND 11.94
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.89TND 2.58
$1.31COP 4,042
-32.06%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$41.2KTND 118.9K
$24.3KCOP 74.8M
69.54%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.8KTND 83.1K
$34.7KCOP 106.7M
-16.97%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Gabes
Santa Marta
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.4TND 200
$161COP 495.2K
-56.87%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.57TND 21.83
$9.48COP 29.2K
-20.15%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.34TND 50.0
$22.23COP 68.4K
-22.00%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Gabes
Santa Marta
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$32.99TND 95.2
$32.38COP 99.7K
1.88%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.89TND 14.10
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.44TND 18.58
$5.40COP 16.6K
19.26%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Gabes
Santa Marta
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$57.2TND 165
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,114TND 8,985
$11.3KCOP 34.6M
-72.33%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Gabes
Santa Marta
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$32.87TND 94.9
$87.4COP 269.1K
-62.41%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.92TND 121
$63.5COP 195.3K
-33.93%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$77.8TND 224
$97.2COP 299.0K
-19.95%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$110TND 317
$87.4COP 268.9K
25.71%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Gabes
Santa Marta
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$116TND 335
$1,113COP 3.4M
-89.58%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$72.4TND 209
$771COP 2.4M
-90.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$206TND 593
$1,118COP 3.4M
-81.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$118TND 341
$643COP 2.0M
-81.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$968TND 2,793
$1,129COP 3.5M
-14.28%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$635TND 1,831
$1,199COP 3.7M
-47.07%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Gabes
Santa Marta
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$417TND 1,204
$538COP 1.7M
-22.43%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12
19.54
-38.59%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Gabes: September 8, 2026
Last update for Santa Marta: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $116 in Gabes versus $1,113 in Santa Marta. 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 29% higher in Santa Marta, 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
Gabes vs Santa Marta: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Santa Marta cheaper than Gabes?
Yes – Santa Marta is pricier by about 148%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $874 per month in Gabes and $2,165 in Santa Marta. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Gabes, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Gabes and in Santa Marta?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $583 in Gabes and $1,443 in Santa Marta. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do food prices compare in Gabes and in Santa Marta?
Groceries cost about 46% more in Santa Marta, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Gabes or in Santa Marta?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Gabes, where all-in costs run around $583, than in Santa Marta at $1,443. In Gabes it covers expenses comfortably, while in Santa Marta it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Gabes or Santa Marta more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Gabes – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Gabes. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Santa Marta makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.