😐A single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $92.1 in Arandis, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $151 in Arandis, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $211 in Arandis, rent included.
😐Medellin costs about 1023% more than Arandis, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Medellin and Arandis are more affordable than the global median – Medellin23% lower, Arandis93% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Arandis
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COP 21.4K
$11.63NAD 195
-49.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COP 118.2K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COP 26.0K
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.70COP 6,140
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,966
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COP 2,605
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COP 6,022
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COP 11.2K
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Arandis
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COP 3,809
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COP 4,497
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COP 5,022
-
-
Eggs
$2.26COP 8,168
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COP 15.6K
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COP 21.1K
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COP 31.9K
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COP 8,099
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COP 3,882
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COP 5,522
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COP 4,950
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 4,078
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COP 4,036
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COP 3,057
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COP 3,281
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COP 8,414
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COP 40.2K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 4,309
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COP 8,553
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Arandis
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COP 2,838
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COP 148.5K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COP 5,184
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COP 6,901
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COP 28.9K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COP 3,385
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOP 64.7M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 96.7M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Arandis
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COP 303.1K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COP 34.7K
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COP 87.2K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Arandis
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COP 93.4K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COP 68.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COP 14.1K
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Arandis
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COP 1.1M
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COP 21.4M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Arandis
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COP 209.1K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 114.9K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COP 360.6K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 386.8K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Arandis
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COP 1.8M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COP 1.3M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COP 3.0M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COP 2.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COP 10.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COP 5.1M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Arandis
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COP 2.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026
Last update for Arandis: April 26, 2026
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
Medellin vs Arandis: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Arandis?
Medellin costs about 1023% more than Arandis, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 Medellin vs Arandis?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,550 per month in Medellin and $138 in Arandis. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Medellin or Arandis?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Arandis, where all-in costs run around $92.1, than in Medellin at $1,034. In Arandis it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Arandis?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Arandis costs $92.1 versus $1,034 in Medellin. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Medellin or Arandis?
If budget matters most, go with Arandis. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Medellin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.