🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,555 in Medellin versus $2,408 in Beaufort, SC.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,314 in Medellin versus $3,511 in Beaufort, SC.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,072 in Medellin versus $4,614 in Beaufort, SC.
🌍Living in Medellin costs roughly 35% less than in Beaufort, SC, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Medellin15% above, Beaufort, SC78% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Beaufort, SC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.59COP 25.0K
$18.76$18.76
-59.54%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.78COP 147.4K
$100$100
-55.35%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.24COP 30.4K
$12.07$12.07
-23.45%
Cappuccino
$2.95COP 9,703
$5.27$5.27
-44.02%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80COP 5,929
$2.43$2.43
-25.93%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35COP 4,443
$1.96$1.96
-31.12%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.93COP 9,655
$3.81$3.81
-23.10%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.46COP 18.0K
$4.09$4.09
33.50%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Beaufort, SC
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.43COP 4,718
$0.91$0.91
57.14%
White Bread(500g)
$2.39COP 7,875
$3.09$3.09
-22.65%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.60COP 5,270
$3.68$3.68
-56.52%
Eggs
$2.88COP 9,474
$4.07$4.07
-29.24%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.71COP 32.0K
$8.72$8.72
11.35%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.44COP 31.1K
$6.13$6.13
54.00%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.24COP 43.6K
$11.11$11.11
19.17%
Apples(1kg)
$3.75COP 12.4K
$4.43$4.43
-15.35%
Banana(1kg)
$1.45COP 4,758
$1.32$1.32
9.85%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.10COP 6,909
$3.91$3.91
-46.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.13COP 7,011
$1.99$1.99
7.04%
Potato(1kg)
$1.92COP 6,332
$2.50$2.50
-23.20%
Onion(1kg)
$1.53COP 5,042
$2.22$2.22
-31.08%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.09COP 3,590
$2.03$2.03
-46.31%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.18COP 3,888
$2.40$2.40
-50.83%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.79COP 12.5K
$9.68$9.68
-60.85%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.16COP 43.3K
$15.27$15.27
-13.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.64COP 5,400
$2.17$2.17
-24.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28COP 7,497
$3.21$3.21
-28.97%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Beaufort, SC
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.18COP 3,870
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$73.6COP 242.3K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.28COP 4,205
$1.53$1.53
-16.34%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.98COP 6,509
$1.18$1.18
67.80%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.89COP 26.0K
$14.06$14.06
-43.88%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.29COP 4,260
$0.81$0.81
59.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.8KCOP 88.2M
$25.7K$25.7K
4.08%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7KCOP 114.2M
$20.8K$20.8K
66.85%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Beaufort, SC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$158COP 519.6K
$94.4$94.4
67.17%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.39COP 44.1K
$60.2$60.2
-77.76%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.28COP 89.8K
$69.4$69.4
-60.71%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Beaufort, SC
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.15COP 145.4K
$24.94$24.94
77.02%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.99COP 52.6K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.39COP 21.0K
$9.94$9.94
-35.71%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Beaufort, SC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$777COP 2.6M
$1,311$1,311
-40.78%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,800COP 29.0M
$12.1K$12.1K
-27.33%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Beaufort, SC
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$82.7COP 272.4K
$63.3$63.3
30.68%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.1COP 184.8K
$47.93$47.93
17.07%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$131COP 430.7K
$114$114
15.11%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$95.9COP 315.7K
$155$155
-38.01%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Beaufort, SC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,006COP 3.3M
$1,562$1,562
-35.56%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$627COP 2.1M
$1,340$1,340
-53.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,826COP 6.0M
$2,783$2,783
-34.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$969COP 3.2M
$2,117$2,117
-54.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,907COP 12.9M
$3,691$3,691
5.84%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,576COP 5.2M
$3,677$3,677
-57.14%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Beaufort, SC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$620COP 2.0M
$4,100$4,100
-84.88%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.94
6.19
76.74%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: September 28, 2026
Last update for Beaufort, SC: September 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,006 in Medellin and $1,562 in Beaufort, SC. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Beaufort, SC pays 561% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $45.00 in Medellin vs $100 in Beaufort, SC for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $285 vs $313 per month, with Medellin cheaper across the board.
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 Beaufort, SC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beaufort, SC cheaper than Medellin?
Medellin is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 55% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Medellin or Beaufort, SC?
On paper, salaries run 561% lower in Beaufort, SC. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Medellin and Beaufort, SC?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,006 in Medellin versus $1,562 in Beaufort, SC. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and in Beaufort, SC?
Supermarket bills run roughly 10% higher in Beaufort, SC. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin and in Beaufort, SC?
All in, you'll spend $1,555 per month in Medellin versus $2,408 in Beaufort, SC – a 55% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Beaufort, SC?
At $1,555 in Medellin versus $2,408 in Beaufort, SC, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Beaufort, SC. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or Beaufort, SC more family-friendly?
For families, Medellin is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Beaufort, SC, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 55% less than in Beaufort, SC. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.