πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $980 in Belle Rose, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,591 in Belle Rose, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $2,202 in Belle Rose, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 4% more than Belle Rose, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Belle Rose are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Belle Rose27% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Belle Rose
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.6K
$6.65MURΒ 313
-10.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 115.1K
$44.26MURΒ 2,084
-24.69%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.0K
$6.51MURΒ 307
11.06%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,629
$2.68MURΒ 126
-39.18%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,782
$1.04MURΒ 48.77
4.81%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,522
$0.55MURΒ 25.96
32.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,003
$2.13MURΒ 100
-18.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.2K
$2.69MURΒ 127
20.07%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Belle Rose
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,625
$1.46MURΒ 68.8
-28.08%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,469
$0.69MURΒ 32.53
86.96%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,570
$1.27MURΒ 59.7
3.94%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,846
$2.35MURΒ 111
-3.40%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.0K
$10.14MURΒ 477
-57.10%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.3K
$6.17MURΒ 291
-4.70%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 29.7K
$10.60MURΒ 499
-18.77%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,763
$2.06MURΒ 97.1
9.22%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,695
$1.99MURΒ 93.7
-46.23%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,267
$1.49MURΒ 70.0
2.01%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,914
$2.69MURΒ 127
-47.21%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,042
$1.01MURΒ 47.62
15.84%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,035
$0.98MURΒ 46.33
19.39%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,064
$0.81MURΒ 38.07
9.88%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,114
$0.56MURΒ 26.52
60.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,757
$6.12MURΒ 288
-63.24%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.1K
$9.47MURΒ 446
16.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,936
$1.75MURΒ 82.2
-34.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,216
$2.09MURΒ 98.5
13.88%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Belle Rose
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,886
$1.03MURΒ 48.63
-18.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 144.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,861
$4.50MURΒ 212
-68.67%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,567
$2.72MURΒ 128
-30.15%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 26.8K
$15.53MURΒ 731
-50.10%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,473
$1.40MURΒ 66.0
-27.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 60.7M
$35.9KMURΒ 1.7M
-51.01%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 91.5M
$28.4KMURΒ 1.3M
-6.65%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Belle Rose
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 289.1K
$49.83MURΒ 2,346
67.93%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 32.6K
$18.64MURΒ 878
-49.30%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 83.3K
$32.77MURΒ 1,543
-26.43%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Belle Rose
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 87.4K
$38.68MURΒ 1,821
-34.57%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.1K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.2K
$6.16MURΒ 290
-33.44%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Belle Rose
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$153MURΒ 7,212
103.68%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.7M
$3,991MURΒ 187.9K
50.16%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Belle Rose
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 200.5K
$50.9MURΒ 2,399
13.94%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 112.5K
$44.76MURΒ 2,108
-27.26%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 344.1K
$82.0MURΒ 3,863
21.43%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 375.0K
$79.2MURΒ 3,727
37.11%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Belle Rose
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$511MURΒ 24.1K
-5.61%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$347MURΒ 16.3K
9.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$931MURΒ 43.9K
-10.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$732MURΒ 34.5K
-1.17%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.8M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.2M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Belle Rose
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.25
114.88%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Belle Rose: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $511 in Belle Rose. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $44.00 in Belle Rose. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $218 β making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Belle Rose: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Belle Rose cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 4%, and the gap shows up most in Getting Around. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,525 per month in Medellin and $1,470 in Belle Rose. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Belle Rose, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Belle Rose?
Interestingly, groceries are about 15% cheaper in Medellin β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Belle Rose?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Belle Rose, where all-in costs run around $980, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Belle Rose it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Belle Rose more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Belle Rose β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Belle Rose?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Belle Rose. 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.