πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $1,116 in Belmopan, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,610 in Belmopan, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $2,105 in Belmopan, rent included.
πMedellin is about 9% cheaper than Belmopan, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Medellin and Belmopan are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Belmopan17% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Belmopan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$4.68BZDΒ 9.37
27.99%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$16.86BZDΒ 33.73
94.90%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$7.53BZDΒ 15.06
-5.84%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$4.54BZDΒ 9.07
-62.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$0.78BZDΒ 1.55
41.03%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.52BZDΒ 1.04
50.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$1.45BZDΒ 2.90
15.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$2.28BZDΒ 4.56
34.65%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Belmopan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$2.08BZDΒ 4.15
-47.60%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$1.59BZDΒ 3.18
-20.75%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$1.66BZDΒ 3.31
-16.87%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$1.89BZDΒ 3.79
15.87%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$8.62BZDΒ 17.25
-48.96%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$6.56BZDΒ 13.13
-14.18%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$12.26BZDΒ 24.52
-27.49%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$1.13BZDΒ 2.25
-6.19%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$2.17BZDΒ 4.35
-30.88%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$5.65BZDΒ 11.31
-75.58%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$1.45BZDΒ 2.89
-42.07%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$17.78BZDΒ 35.56
-40.16%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$2.22BZDΒ 4.44
-45.95%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$2.20BZDΒ 4.40
12.27%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Belmopan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$3.97BZDΒ 7.95
-78.34%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$3.08BZDΒ 6.15
-52.27%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$2.94BZDΒ 5.87
-33.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$1.79BZDΒ 3.57
-46.93%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
-
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Belmopan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$152BZDΒ 303
-45.72%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$50.8BZDΒ 102
-81.30%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$36.47BZDΒ 73.0
-33.56%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Belmopan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$44.07BZDΒ 88.2
-41.25%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$9.19BZDΒ 18.39
-57.24%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Belmopan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
-
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Belmopan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$39.52BZDΒ 79.1
48.43%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$22.11BZDΒ 44.23
46.31%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$50.1BZDΒ 100
105.00%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$62.9BZDΒ 126
72.36%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Belmopan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$453BZDΒ 906
5.09%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$317BZDΒ 635
19.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$537BZDΒ 1,075
34.67%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Belmopan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Belmopan: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $453 in Belmopan. 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 $17.00 in Belmopan. Groceries tell a different story β $188 in Medellin vs $258 in Belmopan β so Medellin wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Belmopan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and Belmopan compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,013 in Medellin, $1,116 in Belmopan β roughly 10% apart. Belmopan costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Belmopan?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,519 per month in Medellin and $1,674 in Belmopan. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and Belmopan?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Medellin, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Belmopan?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $1,116 in Belmopan. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,013, than in Belmopan at $1,116. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Belmopan it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Belmopan?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,013 in Medellin to $1,116 in Belmopan. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Medellin or Belmopan safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Medellin and Belmopan?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Belmopan makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.