Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Bamenda Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Bamenda

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,003 per month in Medellin vs $351 in Bamenda, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,573 per month in Medellin vs $534 in Bamenda, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,143 per month in Medellin vs $716 in Bamenda, rent included.

Medellin costs about 186% more than Bamenda, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Medellin and Bamenda are more affordable than the global median – Medellin 25% lower, Bamenda 74% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.91 COP 18.6K

$1.72 FCFA 976

243.60%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.96 COP 103.8K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.43 COP 23.4K

$6.20 FCFA 3,522

19.84%

Cappuccino

$1.65 COP 5,207

$0.85 FCFA 483

94.12%

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

$1.10 COP 3,468

$0.55 FCFA 311

100.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.78 COP 2,458

$0.36 FCFA 206

116.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.72 COP 5,412

$1.32 FCFA 748

30.30%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.18 COP 10.0K

$1.75 FCFA 993

81.71%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.10 COP 3,474

$2.67 FCFA 1,515

-58.80%

White Bread (500g)

$1.26 COP 3,962

$0.60 FCFA 339

110.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.38 COP 4,349

$0.95 FCFA 538

45.26%

Eggs

$2.18 COP 6,858

$3.19 FCFA 1,813

-31.66%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.49 COP 14.1K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.79 COP 18.2K

$4.39 FCFA 2,495

31.89%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.97 COP 28.2K

$5.44 FCFA 3,089

64.89%

Apples (1kg)

$2.32 COP 7,308

$2.72 FCFA 1,545

-14.71%

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 COP 3,352

$0.85 FCFA 481

24.71%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 COP 4,774

$0.70 FCFA 395

117.14%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.36 COP 4,270

$0.90 FCFA 511

51.11%

Potato (1kg)

$1.13 COP 3,552

$1.37 FCFA 777

-17.52%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 COP 3,689

$1.09 FCFA 618

7.34%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.90 COP 2,838

$0.58 FCFA 330

55.17%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.90 COP 2,823

$0.72 FCFA 410

25.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.23 COP 7,034

$1.42 FCFA 807

57.04%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.12 COP 38.2K

$10.18 FCFA 5,780

19.06%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.19 COP 3,743

$1.29 FCFA 731

-7.75%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 COP 7,815

$1.37 FCFA 779

81.02%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.85 COP 2,687

$1.79 FCFA 1,015

-52.51%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.62 COP 131.0K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.42 COP 4,459

$0.45 FCFA 258

215.56%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.95 COP 6,141

$0.31 FCFA 175

529.03%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.89 COP 24.8K

$6.09 FCFA 3,457

29.56%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.99 COP 3,118

$1.28 FCFA 724

-22.66%

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

$17.6K COP 55.4M

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

$26.8K COP 84.4M

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

$83.0 COP 261.4K

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

$9.70 COP 30.5K

$17.76 FCFA 10.1K

-45.38%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.52 COP 74.1K

$33.77 FCFA 19.2K

-30.35%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.26 COP 79.5K

$8.87 FCFA 5,036

184.78%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.10 COP 60.1K

Cinema Ticket

$3.95 COP 12.4K

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

$316 COP 994.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,975 COP 18.8M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.0 COP 188.9K

$26.91 FCFA 15.3K

122.97%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.82 COP 100.2K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 COP 320.1K

$44.93 FCFA 25.5K

126.29%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 COP 338.3K

$60.7 FCFA 34.5K

77.02%

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

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,265 COP 10.3M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,441 COP 4.5M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$624 COP 2.0M

$98.9 FCFA 56.2K

531.33%

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 Bamenda: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 531% 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 Bamenda: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,003 in Medellin, $351 in Bamenda – roughly 186% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,504 per month in Medellin and $527 in Bamenda. 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 $351 in Bamenda. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 21% 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 Bamenda, where all-in costs run around $351, than in Medellin at $1,003. In Bamenda 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 $351 in Bamenda to $1,003 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Bamenda. 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.