😐A single person spends $1,681 per month in Medellin vs $94.2 in Arandis, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,445 per month in Medellin vs $153 in Arandis, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,210 per month in Medellin vs $211 in Arandis, rent included.
😐Medellin costs about 1685% more than Arandis, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Medellin sits 23% above the global median, while Arandis is 93% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Arandis
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.02COP 25.0K
$11.67NAD 191
-31.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.87COP 149.4K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.89COP 30.8K
-
-
Cappuccino
$3.13COP 9,767
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.91COP 5,954
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51COP 4,712
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.12COP 9,747
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.75COP 17.9K
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Arandis
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.44COP 4,509
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$2.49COP 7,759
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.77COP 5,535
-
-
Eggs
$2.96COP 9,235
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.07COP 31.4K
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.12COP 31.6K
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.30COP 44.6K
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$4.14COP 12.9K
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.61COP 5,019
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$2.25COP 7,007
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$2.25COP 7,028
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$2.04COP 6,375
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.54COP 4,790
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.17COP 3,651
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.31COP 4,077
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.90COP 12.2K
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$14.01COP 43.7K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.74COP 5,439
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87COP 8,956
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Arandis
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.22COP 3,792
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$80.5COP 251.1K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.31COP 4,084
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.19COP 6,825
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.71COP 27.2K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.37COP 4,260
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.8KCOP 86.9M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.8KCOP 111.6M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Arandis
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$177COP 553.2K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.88COP 43.3K
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.72COP 92.8K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Arandis
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.88COP 140.1K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.12COP 53.4K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.65COP 20.7K
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Arandis
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$813COP 2.5M
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,187COP 28.7M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Arandis
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$89.5COP 279.3K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.0COP 184.0K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$138COP 431.2K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$102COP 318.7K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Arandis
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,062COP 3.3M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$663COP 2.1M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,888COP 5.9M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,027COP 3.2M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,183COP 13.1M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,675COP 5.2M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Arandis
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$678COP 2.1M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.94
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: September 14, 2026
Last update for Arandis: September 12, 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 1685% 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 and in Arandis?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,521 per month in Medellin and $141 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 in Arandis?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Arandis, where all-in costs run around $94.2, than in Medellin at $1,681. 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 $94.2 versus $1,681 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 to 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.