Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Beaufort, SC Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Beaufort, SC

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,662 in Medellin versus $2,336 in Beaufort, SC.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,451 in Medellin versus $3,514 in Beaufort, SC.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,241 in Medellin versus $4,692 in Beaufort, SC.

Living in Medellin costs roughly 29% less than in Beaufort, SC, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Medellin 22% above, Beaufort, SC 72% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Beaufort, SC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.94 COP 24.9K
$18.60 $18.60
-57.31%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.55 COP 136.5K
$101 $101
-56.96%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.73 COP 30.5K
$11.96 $11.96
-18.65%
Cappuccino
$2.92 COP 9,144
$5.35 $5.35
-45.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.88 COP 5,900
$2.43 $2.43
-22.63%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.53 COP 4,801
$2.04 $2.04
-25.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.25 COP 10.2K
$3.70 $3.70
-12.16%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.62 COP 17.6K
$4.04 $4.04
39.11%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Beaufort, SC
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.30 COP 4,088
$0.91 $0.91
42.86%
White Bread (500g)
$2.32 COP 7,281
$3.12 $3.12
-25.64%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.43 COP 4,492
$3.63 $3.63
-60.61%
Eggs
$2.82 COP 8,836
$3.89 $3.89
-27.51%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.94 COP 28.0K
$8.65 $8.65
3.35%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.74 COP 33.7K
$6.28 $6.28
71.02%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.45 COP 45.3K
$11.12 $11.12
29.95%
Apples (1kg)
$3.97 COP 12.4K
$4.70 $4.70
-15.53%
Banana (1kg)
$1.38 COP 4,330
$1.29 $1.29
6.98%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.26 COP 7,075
$3.76 $3.76
-39.89%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.10 COP 6,574
$1.98 $1.98
6.06%
Potato (1kg)
$2.09 COP 6,561
$2.47 $2.47
-15.38%
Onion (1kg)
$1.60 COP 5,018
$2.21 $2.21
-27.60%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.04 COP 3,258
$2.06 $2.06
-49.51%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.28 COP 3,996
$2.37 $2.37
-45.99%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.95 COP 12.4K
$9.95 $9.95
-60.30%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.37 COP 41.9K
$14.68 $14.68
-8.92%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.66 COP 5,194
$2.07 $2.07
-19.81%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.98 COP 9,324
$3.09 $3.09
-3.56%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Beaufort, SC
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.23 COP 3,843
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$78.6 COP 246.3K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.51 COP 4,717
$1.46 $1.46
3.42%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.04 COP 6,394
$1.14 $1.14
78.95%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.52 COP 26.7K
$13.97 $13.97
-39.01%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 COP 4,222
$0.74 $0.74
82.43%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.1K COP 88.0M
$25.5K $25.5K
10.09%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.0K COP 112.8M
$20.9K $20.9K
72.24%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Beaufort, SC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$152 COP 476.4K
$91.5 $91.5
66.24%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.16 COP 41.3K
$56.6 $56.6
-76.74%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.61 COP 99.1K
$65.7 $65.7
-51.92%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Beaufort, SC
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$47.90 COP 150.1K
$24.52 $24.52
95.35%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.95 COP 53.1K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.41 COP 20.1K
$9.94 $9.94
-35.51%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Beaufort, SC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$853 COP 2.7M
$1,318 $1,318
-35.28%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,701 COP 27.3M
$12.1K $12.1K
-28.11%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Beaufort, SC
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$91.0 COP 285.1K
$55.0 $55.0
65.38%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$54.6 COP 171.1K
$42.70 $42.70
27.89%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$136 COP 425.9K
$103 $103
32.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109 COP 340.8K
$132 $132
-17.39%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Beaufort, SC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$963 COP 3.0M
$1,551 $1,551
-37.95%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$658 COP 2.1M
$1,360 $1,360
-51.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,985 COP 6.2M
$2,794 $2,794
-28.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,158 COP 3.6M
$2,108 $2,108
-45.07%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,664 COP 11.5M
$3,595 $3,595
1.92%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,573 COP 4.9M
$3,650 $3,650
-56.90%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Beaufort, SC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$629 COP 2.0M
$4,209 $4,209
-85.06%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.43
6.13
70.15%

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

Last update for Medellin: August 9, 2026

Last update for Beaufort, SC: August 9, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $963 in Medellin and $1,551 in Beaufort, SC. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Beaufort, SC pays 570% 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: $44.00 in Medellin vs $101 in Beaufort, SC for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $295 vs $312 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, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 41% 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 570% 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: $963 in Medellin versus $1,551 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 6% 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 $1,662 per month in Medellin versus $2,336 in Beaufort, SC – a 41% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Beaufort, SC?
At $1,662 in Medellin versus $2,336 in Beaufort, SC, a $2,500 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 41% less than in Beaufort, SC. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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