Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Arica Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Arica

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,555 per month in Medellin vs $111 in Arica, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,314 per month in Medellin vs $180 in Arica, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,072 per month in Medellin vs $249 in Arica, rent included.

Medellin costs about 1298% more than Arica, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Medellin sits 15% above the global median, while Arica is 92% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.59 COP 24.7K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$44.78 COP 145.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.24 COP 30.1K

Cappuccino

$2.95 COP 9,591

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.80 COP 5,861

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.35 COP 4,391

$1.27 CLP 1,261

6.30%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.93 COP 9,544

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.46 COP 17.8K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.43 COP 4,663

$1.01 CLP 996

41.58%

White Bread (500g)

$2.39 COP 7,785

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.60 COP 5,209

Eggs

$2.88 COP 9,364

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.71 COP 31.6K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.44 COP 30.7K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.24 COP 43.1K

Apples (1kg)

$3.75 COP 12.2K

Banana (1kg)

$1.45 COP 4,703

Oranges (1kg)

$2.10 COP 6,829

Tomato (1kg)

$2.13 COP 6,930

Potato (1kg)

$1.92 COP 6,259

Onion (1kg)

$1.53 COP 4,984

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.09 COP 3,549

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.18 COP 3,843

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.79 COP 12.3K

Wine (Bottle)

$13.16 COP 42.8K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.64 COP 5,337

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.28 COP 7,410

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.18 COP 3,825

$0.73 CLP 727

61.64%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$73.6 COP 239.5K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.28 COP 4,157

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.98 COP 6,434

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.89 COP 25.7K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 COP 4,211

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$26.8K COP 87.2M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$34.7K COP 112.9M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$158 COP 513.6K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$13.39 COP 43.6K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$27.28 COP 88.8K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.15 COP 143.7K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.99 COP 52.0K

Cinema Ticket

$6.39 COP 20.8K

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$777 COP 2.5M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,800 COP 28.6M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$82.7 COP 269.2K

$41.66 CLP 41.2K

98.56%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.1 COP 182.6K

$20.63 CLP 20.4K

171.98%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$131 COP 425.7K

$53.6 CLP 53.1K

144.00%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$95.9 COP 312.1K

$94.8 CLP 93.8K

1.21%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,006 COP 3.3M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$627 COP 2.0M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,826 COP 5.9M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$969 COP 3.2M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,907 COP 12.7M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,576 COP 5.1M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$620 COP 2.0M

$510 CLP 504.4K

21.61%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.94

118.80%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Medellin: September 28, 2026

Last update for Arica: September 28, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 22% higher in Medellin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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 Arica: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,555 in Medellin, $111 in Arica – roughly 1298% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,333 per month in Medellin and $167 in Arica. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,555 in Medellin and $111 in Arica. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 2731% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Arica, where all-in costs run around $111, than in Medellin at $1,555. In Arica it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $111 in Arica to $1,555 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Arica. 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.