😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,675 in Guelph versus $1,031 in Medellin.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,676 in Guelph versus $1,599 in Medellin.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,677 in Guelph versus $2,167 in Medellin.
🌍Living in Guelph is roughly 160% more expensive than in Medellin, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Guelph is 100% above, Medellin is 23% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Guelph
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.42CA$28.74
$6.16COP 20.1K
231.49%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.6CA$104
$32.60COP 106.1K
125.80%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.99CA$16.87
$7.34COP 23.9K
63.35%
Cappuccino
$3.71CA$5.22
$1.72COP 5,599
115.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.84CA$2.60
$1.05COP 3,420
75.24%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74CA$2.45
$0.77COP 2,515
125.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.17CA$7.28
$1.69COP 5,487
205.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.93CA$8.35
$3.17COP 10.3K
87.07%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Guelph
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.10CA$2.95
$1.05COP 3,423
100.00%
White Bread(500g)
$2.71CA$3.81
$1.30COP 4,236
108.46%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.29CA$4.62
$1.40COP 4,544
135.00%
Eggs
$3.11CA$4.38
$2.16COP 7,046
43.98%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.10CA$12.80
$4.39COP 14.3K
107.29%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.80CA$12.38
$5.88COP 19.1K
49.66%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$25.55CA$35.95
$8.64COP 28.1K
195.72%
Apples(1kg)
$4.18CA$5.88
$2.28COP 7,425
83.33%
Banana(1kg)
$0.86CA$1.22
$1.11COP 3,603
-22.52%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.23CA$4.55
$1.53COP 4,982
111.11%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.21CA$3.11
$1.35COP 4,410
63.70%
Potato(1kg)
$2.84CA$4.00
$1.13COP 3,674
151.33%
Onion(1kg)
$2.65CA$3.73
$1.13COP 3,692
134.51%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.38CA$3.35
$0.85COP 2,753
180.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.48CA$2.08
$0.91COP 2,975
62.64%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$11.15CA$15.69
$2.34COP 7,629
376.50%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.82CA$15.23
$12.37COP 40.3K
-12.53%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.75CA$3.87
$1.20COP 3,909
129.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.73CA$3.84
$2.49COP 8,104
9.64%
🚌 Getting Around
Guelph
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.41CA$3.39
$0.84COP 2,727
186.90%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$62.4CA$87.8
$40.57COP 132.1K
53.88%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.39CA$3.37
$1.42COP 4,623
68.31%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.70CA$2.39
$1.92COP 6,235
-11.46%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$32.54CA$45.79
$7.66COP 24.9K
324.80%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.15CA$1.62
$0.99COP 3,223
16.16%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.1KCA$35.4K
$18.0KCOP 58.7M
39.35%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.1KCA$29.8K
$26.6KCOP 86.7M
-20.59%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Guelph
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$135CA$190
$80.8COP 263.1K
66.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$54.2CA$76.3
$9.95COP 32.4K
444.72%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$62.4CA$87.8
$24.18COP 78.7K
157.94%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Guelph
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$55.0CA$77.4
$25.08COP 81.6K
119.22%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.64CA$26.23
$19.15COP 62.3K
-2.66%
Cinema Ticket
$11.11CA$15.63
$3.98COP 13.0K
179.15%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Guelph
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$953CA$1,341
$305COP 993.4K
212.28%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.9KCA$15.3K
$6,059COP 19.7M
79.60%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Guelph
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.3CA$87.7
$58.1COP 189.2K
7.21%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.02CA$54.9
$32.20COP 104.8K
21.18%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$86.5CA$122
$101COP 327.9K
-14.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$125CA$175
$108COP 350.8K
15.59%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Guelph
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,496CA$2,105
$477COP 1.6M
213.86%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,495CA$2,104
$376COP 1.2M
297.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,084CA$2,933
$845COP 2.7M
146.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,950CA$2,744
$730COP 2.4M
166.99%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,752CA$6,686
$3,215COP 10.5M
47.79%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,907CA$6,904
$1,372COP 4.5M
257.56%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Guelph
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,178CA$4,471
$617COP 2.0M
415.19%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.55
13.43
-51.23%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Guelph: July 13, 2026
Last update for Medellin: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,496 in Guelph and $477 in Medellin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Guelph pays 415% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $74.0 in Guelph vs $33.00 in Medellin for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $354 vs $193 per month, with Medellin cheaper across the board.
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
Guelph vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Guelph?
Medellin is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 160% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Guelph or Medellin?
Average pay runs 415% higher in Guelph, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Guelph and Medellin?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,496 in Guelph versus $477 in Medellin. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Guelph and in Medellin?
Supermarket bills run roughly 83% higher in Guelph. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Guelph or in Medellin?
Dining out is cheaper in Medellin – a meal for two runs $33.00 versus $74.0 in Guelph. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Guelph or in Medellin?
At $1,031 in Medellin versus $2,675 in Guelph, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Guelph. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Guelph or Medellin more family-friendly?
For families, Medellin is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Guelph, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 160% less than in Guelph. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.