Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Bakau Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Bakau

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,003 per month in Medellin vs $287 in Bakau, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,573 per month in Medellin vs $481 in Bakau, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,143 per month in Medellin vs $676 in Bakau, rent included.

Medellin costs about 250% more than Bakau, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Medellin and Bakau are more affordable than the global median – Medellin 25% lower, Bakau 78% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.91 COP 18.9K

$4.38 GMD 326

34.93%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.96 COP 105.2K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.43 COP 23.7K

Cappuccino

$1.65 COP 5,276

$4.74 GMD 353

-65.19%

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

$1.10 COP 3,514

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.78 COP 2,491

$1.14 GMD 85.0

-31.58%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.72 COP 5,484

$1.81 GMD 135

-4.97%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.18 COP 10.1K

$2.92 GMD 217

8.90%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.10 COP 3,521

$2.59 GMD 193

-57.53%

White Bread (500g)

$1.26 COP 4,015

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.38 COP 4,407

Eggs

$2.18 COP 6,950

$5.55 GMD 413

-60.72%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.49 COP 14.3K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.79 COP 18.5K

$17.12 GMD 1,274

-66.18%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.97 COP 28.6K

Apples (1kg)

$2.32 COP 7,405

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 COP 3,397

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 COP 4,838

Tomato (1kg)

$1.36 COP 4,327

Potato (1kg)

$1.13 COP 3,599

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 COP 3,738

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.90 COP 2,876

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.90 COP 2,861

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.23 COP 7,128

Wine (Bottle)

$12.12 COP 38.7K

$13.57 GMD 1,009

-10.69%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.19 COP 3,793

$2.08 GMD 155

-42.79%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 COP 7,920

$2.82 GMD 210

-12.06%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.85 COP 2,723

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.62 COP 132.8K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.42 COP 4,518

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.95 COP 6,223

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.89 COP 25.2K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.99 COP 3,160

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

$17.6K COP 56.2M

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

$26.8K COP 85.5M

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

$83.0 COP 264.9K

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

$9.70 COP 30.9K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.52 COP 75.0K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.26 COP 80.6K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.10 COP 60.9K

Cinema Ticket

$3.95 COP 12.6K

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

$316 COP 1.0M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,975 COP 19.1M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.0 COP 191.4K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.82 COP 101.5K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 COP 324.4K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 COP 342.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$475 COP 1.5M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$374 COP 1.2M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$849 COP 2.7M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$719 COP 2.3M

$72.0 GMD 5,355

899.51%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,265 COP 10.4M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,441 COP 4.6M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$624 COP 2.0M

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.43

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

Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026

Last update for Bakau: July 28, 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 Bakau: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Medellin costs about 250% more than Bakau, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,504 per month in Medellin and $430 in Bakau. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,003 in Medellin and $287 in Bakau. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 9% 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 $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Bakau, where all-in costs run around $287, than in Medellin at $1,003. In Bakau it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Bakau costs $287 versus $1,003 in Medellin. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Bakau. 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.