😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,641 in Medellin versus $88.3 in Bafoulabe.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,447 in Medellin versus $147 in Bafoulabe.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,253 in Medellin versus $206 in Bafoulabe.
🌍Living in Medellin is roughly 1758% more expensive than in Bafoulabe, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 19% above, Bafoulabe is 94% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Bafoulabe
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.04COP 25.0K
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.29COP 149.9K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.42COP 29.3K
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.94COP 9,120
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86COP 5,786
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.46COP 4,519
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.21COP 9,969
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.71COP 17.7K
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Bafoulabe
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.44COP 4,467
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$2.40COP 7,454
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70COP 5,274
-
-
Eggs
$2.89COP 8,975
$1.18F CFA 665
144.92%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.06COP 31.2K
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.97COP 31.0K
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.20COP 44.1K
$2.24F CFA 1,264
533.93%
Apples(1kg)
$3.98COP 12.4K
$2.24F CFA 1,263
77.68%
Banana(1kg)
$1.58COP 4,921
$2.17F CFA 1,221
-27.19%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.15COP 6,682
$2.16F CFA 1,215
-0.46%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.30COP 7,141
$2.18F CFA 1,228
5.50%
Potato(1kg)
$2.00COP 6,223
$2.21F CFA 1,248
-9.50%
Onion(1kg)
$1.51COP 4,687
$2.26F CFA 1,276
-33.19%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.20COP 3,734
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.28COP 3,981
$0.98F CFA 552
30.61%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.84COP 11.9K
$1.03F CFA 578
272.82%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.01COP 43.5K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71COP 5,302
$1.40F CFA 788
22.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.74COP 8,515
$0.97F CFA 547
182.47%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Bafoulabe
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.25COP 3,868
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$77.9COP 241.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.31COP 4,052
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.17COP 6,739
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.29COP 25.8K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.36COP 4,209
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.5KCOP 85.3M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.5KCOP 113.4M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Bafoulabe
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$169COP 523.8K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.57COP 42.1K
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.32COP 87.9K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Bafoulabe
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$45.71COP 141.9K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.22COP 53.5K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.65COP 20.6K
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Bafoulabe
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$803COP 2.5M
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,190COP 28.5M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Bafoulabe
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$87.4COP 271.2K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.4COP 184.3K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$139COP 431.3K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$102COP 316.8K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Bafoulabe
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,071COP 3.3M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$653COP 2.0M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,925COP 6.0M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,048COP 3.3M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,123COP 12.8M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,697COP 5.3M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Bafoulabe
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$655COP 2.0M
-
-
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 7, 2026
Last update for Bafoulabe: September 5, 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 Bafoulabe: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and in Bafoulabe?
Medellin and Bafoulabe differ by about 1758% in total monthly costs ($1,641 vs $88.3 including rent). Bafoulabe is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Bafoulabe?
You'd need roughly $2,462 in Medellin and $132 in Bafoulabe 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 245% higher in Medellin. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Bafoulabe?
All in, you'll spend $1,641 per month in Medellin versus $88.3 in Bafoulabe – a 1758% 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 $88.3 in Bafoulabe versus $1,641 in Medellin, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Bafoulabe but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Bafoulabe the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Bafoulabe?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Medellin or Bafoulabe?
Expats usually find Bafoulabe gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1758% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.