πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $1,973 in Bunbury.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $3,086 in Bunbury.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $4,199 in Bunbury.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 48% less than in Bunbury, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 24% below, Bunbury is 47% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Bunbury
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$16.22A$22.92
-63.32%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$78.5A$111
-57.56%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$10.33A$14.60
-30.01%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$3.79A$5.35
-56.99%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$2.47A$3.49
-55.87%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$1.92A$2.72
-61.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$7.65A$10.81
-77.25%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$6.39A$9.03
-49.45%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Bunbury
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.00A$1.41
5.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$1.01A$1.42
27.72%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.91A$2.69
-30.89%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$4.46A$6.30
-49.10%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$8.65A$12.23
-49.71%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$7.75A$10.95
-24.13%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$7.60A$10.74
13.29%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$3.47A$4.90
-35.16%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$2.94A$4.16
-63.61%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$2.61A$3.69
-41.76%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$4.42A$6.24
-67.87%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$2.53A$3.57
-53.75%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$1.72A$2.43
-31.98%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$1.59A$2.24
-44.03%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.77A$1.09
16.88%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$23.80A$33.62
-90.55%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$7.08A$10.00
55.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$3.94A$5.57
-71.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$4.17A$5.90
-42.93%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Bunbury
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$2.55A$3.60
-67.06%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$51.1A$72.2
-17.89%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$4.03A$5.70
-65.01%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$2.22A$3.13
-14.41%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$32.23A$45.54
-75.95%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.11A$1.58
-9.01%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$19.6KA$27.7K
-10.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$17.8KA$25.2K
48.79%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Bunbury
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$150A$211
-44.08%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$27.82A$39.31
-66.03%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$54.6A$77.2
-55.87%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Bunbury
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$52.0A$73.5
-51.36%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$9.98A$14.10
91.78%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$12.99A$18.35
-68.44%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Bunbury
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$1,783A$2,519
-82.51%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$12.2KA$17.2K
-50.72%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Bunbury
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$70.9A$100
-18.18%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$48.78A$68.9
-33.25%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$102A$144
-2.43%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$88.5A$125
22.66%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Bunbury
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$893A$1,262
-46.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$904A$1,277
-58.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$1,713A$2,421
-51.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$1,681A$2,375
-56.98%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$6,047A$8,544
-53.04%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$5,337A$7,540
-77.08%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Bunbury
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$4,667A$6,594
-88.41%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.42
109.19%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Bunbury: June 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $482 in Medellin and $893 in Bunbury. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Bunbury pays 763% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $79.0 in Bunbury for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $269 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 Bunbury: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bunbury cheaper than Medellin?
Medellin is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 94% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Medellin or Bunbury?
On paper, Bunbury earns 763% less. 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 Bunbury?
Rent for a central apartment: $482 in Medellin versus $893 in Bunbury. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $312 in Medellin versus $1,783 in Bunbury. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Bunbury?
Supermarket bills run roughly 42% higher in Bunbury. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Bunbury?
At $1,017 in Medellin versus $1,973 in Bunbury, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Bunbury. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or Bunbury more family-friendly?
For families, Medellin is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Bunbury, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Bunbury?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Bunbury are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 94% less than in Bunbury. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.