πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,013 in Libertad versus $1,034 in Medellin.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,651 in Libertad versus $1,577 in Medellin.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,289 in Libertad versus $2,120 in Medellin.
πLiving in Libertad costs roughly 2% less than in Medellin, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Libertad24% lower, Medellin23% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Libertad
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.11UYUΒ 641
$5.92COPΒ 21.4K
172.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$54.6UYUΒ 2,170
$32.75COPΒ 118.2K
66.56%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.44UYUΒ 495
$7.20COPΒ 26.0K
72.78%
Cappuccino
$4.09UYUΒ 163
$1.70COPΒ 6,140
140.59%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.27UYUΒ 90.2
$1.10COPΒ 3,966
106.36%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74UYUΒ 69.3
$0.72COPΒ 2,605
141.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.36UYUΒ 173
$1.67COPΒ 6,022
161.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66UYUΒ 145
$3.10COPΒ 11.2K
18.06%
π Groceries & Markets
Libertad
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.21UYUΒ 48.04
$1.06COPΒ 3,809
14.15%
White Bread(500g)
$2.89UYUΒ 115
$1.25COPΒ 4,497
131.20%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.66UYUΒ 66.1
$1.39COPΒ 5,022
19.42%
Eggs
$4.88UYUΒ 194
$2.26COPΒ 8,168
115.93%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.63UYUΒ 542
$4.33COPΒ 15.6K
214.78%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.65UYUΒ 424
$5.84COPΒ 21.1K
82.36%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.08UYUΒ 441
$8.83COPΒ 31.9K
25.48%
Apples(1kg)
$3.09UYUΒ 123
$2.24COPΒ 8,099
37.95%
Banana(1kg)
$2.42UYUΒ 96.4
$1.08COPΒ 3,882
124.07%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50UYUΒ 59.8
$1.53COPΒ 5,522
-1.96%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.68UYUΒ 146
$1.37COPΒ 4,950
168.61%
Potato(1kg)
$2.14UYUΒ 85.1
$1.13COPΒ 4,078
89.38%
Onion(1kg)
$1.96UYUΒ 77.9
$1.12COPΒ 4,036
75.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.30UYUΒ 51.9
$0.85COPΒ 3,057
52.94%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.67UYUΒ 66.5
$0.91COPΒ 3,281
83.52%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.01UYUΒ 199
$2.33COPΒ 8,414
115.02%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.18UYUΒ 405
$11.13COPΒ 40.2K
-8.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.30UYUΒ 91.6
$1.19COPΒ 4,309
93.28%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90UYUΒ 115
$2.37COPΒ 8,553
22.36%
π Getting Around
Libertad
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.79COPΒ 2,838
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$41.13COPΒ 148.5K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.57UYUΒ 62.4
$1.44COPΒ 5,184
9.03%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.49UYUΒ 139
$1.91COPΒ 6,901
82.72%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$12.12UYUΒ 482
$8.02COPΒ 28.9K
51.12%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.90UYUΒ 75.5
$0.94COPΒ 3,385
102.13%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.9KUYUΒ 1.3M
$17.9KCOPΒ 64.7M
89.01%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.0KUYUΒ 1.4M
$26.8KCOPΒ 96.7M
34.43%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Libertad
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$171UYUΒ 6,794
$84.0COPΒ 303.1K
103.41%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.48UYUΒ 655
$9.60COPΒ 34.7K
71.67%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$49.21UYUΒ 1,958
$24.16COPΒ 87.2K
103.68%
π Sport & Entertainment
Libertad
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$25.88COPΒ 93.4K
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$19.04COPΒ 68.7K
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.71UYUΒ 426
$3.92COPΒ 14.1K
173.21%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Libertad
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$485UYUΒ 19.3K
$306COPΒ 1.1M
58.18%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,855UYUΒ 352.2K
$5,919COPΒ 21.4M
49.61%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Libertad
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$96.2UYUΒ 3,826
$57.9COPΒ 209.1K
66.09%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.87UYUΒ 1,904
$31.82COPΒ 114.9K
50.44%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$116UYUΒ 4,609
$99.9COPΒ 360.6K
15.97%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121UYUΒ 4,825
$107COPΒ 386.8K
13.22%
π Accommodation & Living
Libertad
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$487COPΒ 1.8M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$368COPΒ 1.3M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$826COPΒ 3.0M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$716COPΒ 2.6M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,925COPΒ 10.6M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,407COPΒ 5.1M
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Libertad
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$546COPΒ 2.0M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.68
13.43
-57.71%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Libertad: April 26, 2026
Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
πDining out: $55.0 in Libertad vs $33.00 in Medellin for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $322 vs $190 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
Libertad vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Libertad and Medellin?
Libertad and Medellin differ by about 2% in total monthly costs ($1,013 vs $1,034 including rent). Libertad is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Libertad compared to Medellin?
You'd need roughly $1,519 in Libertad and $1,550 in Medellin to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Medellin pay roughly 70% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more expensive overall: Libertad or Medellin?
All in, you'll spend $1,013 per month in Libertad versus $1,034 in Medellin β a 2% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,013 in Libertad versus $1,034 in Medellin, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Libertad but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Libertad the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Libertad and Medellin?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Libertad or Medellin safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Libertad 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.
Where should expats move: Libertad or Medellin?
Expats usually find Libertad gentler on the wallet β expenses run 2% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.