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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $342 in Bamenda, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $526 in Bamenda, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $711 in Bamenda, rent included.

Medellin costs about 197% more than Bamenda, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Medellin and Bamenda are more affordable than the global median – Medellin 24% lower, Bamenda 75% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.95 COP 20.8K

$1.79 FCFA 1,013

232.40%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$33.33 COP 116.3K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.23 COP 25.2K

$6.04 FCFA 3,413

19.70%

Cappuccino

$1.63 COP 5,687

$0.89 FCFA 504

83.15%

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

$1.09 COP 3,821

$0.50 FCFA 285

118.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.73 COP 2,548

$0.36 FCFA 205

102.78%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.74 COP 6,065

$1.31 FCFA 742

32.82%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 COP 11.3K

$1.72 FCFA 974

87.79%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 COP 3,662

$2.71 FCFA 1,532

-61.25%

White Bread (500g)

$1.29 COP 4,515

$0.64 FCFA 359

101.56%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.32 COP 4,617

$0.99 FCFA 560

33.33%

Eggs

$2.27 COP 7,927

$3.28 FCFA 1,852

-30.79%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.35 COP 15.2K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.88 COP 20.5K

$4.37 FCFA 2,467

34.55%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.61 COP 30.0K

$5.33 FCFA 3,008

61.54%

Apples (1kg)

$2.25 COP 7,844

$2.62 FCFA 1,482

-14.12%

Banana (1kg)

$1.07 COP 3,733

$0.90 FCFA 506

18.89%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 COP 5,322

$0.73 FCFA 410

108.22%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.42 COP 4,964

$0.91 FCFA 517

56.04%

Potato (1kg)

$1.17 COP 4,084

$1.38 FCFA 777

-15.22%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 COP 4,077

$1.08 FCFA 608

8.33%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.89 COP 3,096

$0.55 FCFA 312

61.82%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.90 COP 3,146

$0.68 FCFA 387

32.35%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.25 COP 7,837

$1.38 FCFA 782

63.04%

Wine (Bottle)

$11.04 COP 38.5K

$8.95 FCFA 5,057

23.35%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.14 COP 3,977

$1.30 FCFA 734

-12.31%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.38 COP 8,301

$1.38 FCFA 781

72.46%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.84 COP 2,916

$1.72 FCFA 974

-51.16%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.95 COP 146.4K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 COP 4,912

$0.43 FCFA 241

227.91%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.90 COP 6,634

$0.33 FCFA 189

475.76%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.75 COP 27.0K

$6.00 FCFA 3,390

29.17%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.01 COP 3,509

$1.31 FCFA 742

-22.90%

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

$17.6K COP 61.4M

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

$26.5K COP 92.5M

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

$83.7 COP 292.1K

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

$9.45 COP 33.0K

$17.56 FCFA 9,918

-46.18%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.11 COP 84.1K

$34.13 FCFA 19.3K

-29.36%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.31 COP 88.3K

$9.07 FCFA 5,120

179.05%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.14 COP 66.8K

Cinema Ticket

$4.10 COP 14.3K

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

$312 COP 1.1M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,993 COP 20.9M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$58.0 COP 202.6K

$26.97 FCFA 15.2K

115.20%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$32.56 COP 113.6K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$99.6 COP 347.7K

$44.67 FCFA 25.2K

123.01%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$109 COP 378.8K

$61.9 FCFA 35.0K

75.29%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$482 COP 1.7M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$379 COP 1.3M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$837 COP 2.9M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$723 COP 2.5M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,840 COP 9.9M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,223 COP 4.3M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$541 COP 1.9M

$106 FCFA 59.9K

410.25%

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: June 8, 2026

Last update for Bamenda: June 9, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 410% 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: $1,017 in Medellin, $342 in Bamenda – roughly 197% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,525 per month in Medellin and $513 in Bamenda. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $342 in Bamenda. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 20% 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 $342, than in Medellin at $1,017. 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 $342 in Bamenda to $1,017 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.