πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $1,515 in Benesov, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $2,107 in Benesov, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $2,698 in Benesov, rent included.
πMedellin is about 33% cheaper than Benesov, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
πMedellin sits 24% below the global median, while Benesov is 13% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Benesov
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$6.40KΔΒ 133
-6.41%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.2K
$27.23KΔΒ 568
20.68%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$9.08KΔΒ 189
-21.92%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,105
$2.24KΔΒ 46.71
-23.66%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,918
$1.37KΔΒ 28.57
-19.71%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,776
$0.67KΔΒ 14.07
16.42%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,987
$1.60KΔΒ 33.33
5.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$1.71KΔΒ 35.71
79.53%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Benesov
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,899
$1.00KΔΒ 20.85
9.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,500
$1.17KΔΒ 24.48
7.69%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,914
$1.92KΔΒ 40.01
-28.13%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,813
$1.89KΔΒ 39.35
15.87%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$7.67KΔΒ 160
-42.63%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$7.62KΔΒ 159
-26.12%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.7K
$13.12KΔΒ 274
-32.24%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,334
$1.64KΔΒ 34.29
42.68%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,771
$1.14KΔΒ 23.83
-7.02%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,365
$1.36KΔΒ 28.38
10.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,915
$2.30KΔΒ 47.86
-40.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,104
$0.89KΔΒ 18.64
29.21%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,148
$1.30KΔΒ 27.17
-10.77%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,176
$0.69KΔΒ 14.35
28.99%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,992
$0.73KΔΒ 15.29
15.07%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,131
$5.54KΔΒ 115
-58.84%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$5.37KΔΒ 112
98.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,276
$0.86KΔΒ 18.02
39.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,809
$0.73KΔΒ 15.23
238.36%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Benesov
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,051
$1.15KΔΒ 23.94
-25.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.6K
$25.74KΔΒ 537
60.84%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,255
$2.87KΔΒ 59.9
-48.78%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,997
$0.41KΔΒ 8.53
378.05%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$5.49KΔΒ 114
40.98%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,403
$1.56KΔΒ 32.53
-39.10%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.6M
$27.7KKΔΒ 577.6K
-34.56%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.4M
$25.5KKΔΒ 531.0K
3.99%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Benesov
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.2K
$314KΔΒ 6,542
-73.79%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$25.17KΔΒ 525
-62.26%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.4K
$21.04KΔΒ 439
15.16%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Benesov
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.3K
$54.2KΔΒ 1,131
-52.27%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.7K
$11.70KΔΒ 244
62.39%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$11.52KΔΒ 240
-65.89%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Benesov
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$440KΔΒ 9,178
-29.72%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$14.7KKΔΒ 306.7K
-59.45%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Benesov
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.1K
$88.6KΔΒ 1,847
-33.78%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.3K
$40.38KΔΒ 842
-19.89%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.7K
$98.3KΔΒ 2,048
4.43%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 386.5K
$110KΔΒ 2,293
-1.40%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Benesov
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$678KΔΒ 14.1K
-29.73%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$556KΔΒ 11.6K
-31.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$1,172KΔΒ 24.4K
-28.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$881KΔΒ 18.4K
-17.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
$5,156KΔΒ 107.5K
-45.88%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$3,248KΔΒ 67.7K
-62.70%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Benesov
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.56
141.55%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Benesov: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $678 in Benesov. 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 $27.00 in Benesov. Groceries tell a different story β $188 in Medellin vs $203 in Benesov 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 Benesov: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and Benesov compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,013 in Medellin, $1,515 in Benesov β roughly 50% apart. Benesov costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Benesov?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,519 per month in Medellin and $2,273 in Benesov. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and Benesov?
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.
How do commuting costs compare in Medellin and Benesov?
Public transport costs about 61% less in Medellin. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Medellin and Benesov?
Kindergarten costs $309 per month in Medellin and $440 in Benesov. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
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 Benesov at $1,515. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Benesov it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Benesov?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,013 in Medellin to $1,515 in Benesov. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Medellin or Benesov 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 Benesov?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Benesov makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.