πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,039 in Libertad versus $1,028 in Medellin.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,635 in Libertad versus $1,586 in Medellin.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,232 in Libertad versus $2,144 in Medellin.
πLiving in Libertad is roughly 1% more expensive than Medellin, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Libertad22% lower, Medellin23% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Libertad
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.22UYUΒ 654
$6.00COPΒ 20.6K
170.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$54.0UYUΒ 2,178
$32.84COPΒ 112.5K
64.43%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.14UYUΒ 489
$7.42COPΒ 25.4K
63.61%
Cappuccino
$4.27UYUΒ 172
$1.65COPΒ 5,659
158.79%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24UYUΒ 90.2
$1.07COPΒ 3,663
109.35%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.70UYUΒ 68.6
$0.76COPΒ 2,607
123.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.38UYUΒ 176
$1.72COPΒ 5,908
154.65%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.74UYUΒ 151
$3.20COPΒ 11.0K
16.88%
π Groceries & Markets
Libertad
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.22UYUΒ 49.11
$1.05COPΒ 3,597
16.19%
White Bread(500g)
$2.77UYUΒ 112
$1.31COPΒ 4,479
111.45%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.60UYUΒ 64.4
$1.34COPΒ 4,591
19.40%
Eggs
$4.98UYUΒ 201
$2.19COPΒ 7,521
127.40%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.50UYUΒ 544
$4.41COPΒ 15.1K
206.12%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.62UYUΒ 428
$5.69COPΒ 19.5K
86.64%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.82UYUΒ 436
$8.52COPΒ 29.2K
27.00%
Apples(1kg)
$3.10UYUΒ 125
$2.34COPΒ 8,023
32.48%
Banana(1kg)
$2.38UYUΒ 95.8
$1.11COPΒ 3,804
114.41%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.57UYUΒ 63.2
$1.52COPΒ 5,210
3.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.70UYUΒ 149
$1.37COPΒ 4,680
170.07%
Potato(1kg)
$2.16UYUΒ 87.1
$1.15COPΒ 3,950
87.83%
Onion(1kg)
$1.92UYUΒ 77.5
$1.18COPΒ 4,043
62.71%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.30UYUΒ 52.4
$0.84COPΒ 2,885
54.76%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.69UYUΒ 68.0
$0.86COPΒ 2,931
96.51%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.23UYUΒ 211
$2.26COPΒ 7,753
131.42%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.97UYUΒ 402
$11.60COPΒ 39.8K
-14.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.38UYUΒ 96.1
$1.20COPΒ 4,109
98.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.06UYUΒ 123
$2.48COPΒ 8,484
23.39%
π Getting Around
Libertad
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.79COPΒ 2,721
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$40.83COPΒ 139.9K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.57UYUΒ 63.1
$1.47COPΒ 5,023
6.80%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.57UYUΒ 144
$1.92COPΒ 6,568
85.94%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$12.11UYUΒ 488
$7.77COPΒ 26.6K
55.86%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.88UYUΒ 75.6
$1.01COPΒ 3,464
86.14%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.2KUYUΒ 1.4M
$17.7KCOPΒ 60.5M
93.68%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.8KUYUΒ 1.4M
$26.5KCOPΒ 90.7M
35.35%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Libertad
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$174UYUΒ 6,999
$81.1COPΒ 277.9K
114.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.96UYUΒ 684
$9.43COPΒ 32.3K
79.85%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$50.2UYUΒ 2,024
$23.86COPΒ 81.8K
110.35%
π Sport & Entertainment
Libertad
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$25.99COPΒ 89.1K
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.71COPΒ 64.1K
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.63UYUΒ 429
$4.09COPΒ 14.0K
159.90%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Libertad
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$488UYUΒ 19.7K
$315COPΒ 1.1M
55.30%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,874UYUΒ 357.8K
$6,022COPΒ 20.6M
47.37%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Libertad
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$96.5UYUΒ 3,892
$59.7COPΒ 204.6K
61.68%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.45UYUΒ 1,954
$31.97COPΒ 109.6K
51.55%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$112UYUΒ 4,511
$101COPΒ 346.9K
10.53%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122UYUΒ 4,936
$105COPΒ 360.3K
16.45%
π Accommodation & Living
Libertad
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$485COPΒ 1.7M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$365COPΒ 1.3M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$827COPΒ 2.8M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$730COPΒ 2.5M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,992COPΒ 10.3M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,314COPΒ 4.5M
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Libertad
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$551COPΒ 1.9M
-
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: June 14, 2026
Last update for Medellin: June 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
πDining out: $54.0 in Libertad vs $33.00 in Medellin for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $321 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 1% in total monthly costs ($1,039 vs $1,028 including rent). Medellin 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 $1,558 in Libertad and $1,542 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?
Supermarket bills run roughly 69% higher in Libertad. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Libertad or Medellin?
All in, you'll spend $1,039 per month in Libertad versus $1,028 in Medellin β a 1% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,028 in Medellin versus $1,039 in Libertad, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Libertad. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin 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 Medellin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 1% less than in Libertad. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.