πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,030 in Medellin versus $762 in Clark Freeport.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,586 in Medellin versus $1,201 in Clark Freeport.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,143 in Medellin versus $1,640 in Clark Freeport.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 35% more expensive than Clark Freeport, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin23% lower, Clark Freeport43% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Clark Freeport
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.1K
$3.52β±213
68.18%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.17COPΒ 118.3K
$17.62β±1,066
88.25%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.25COPΒ 25.9K
$3.32β±201
118.37%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,118
$2.39β±145
-28.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,903
$0.78β±47.47
39.74%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77COPΒ 2,734
$0.36β±21.91
113.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.75COPΒ 6,234
$1.37β±82.8
27.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COPΒ 11.4K
$2.08β±126
52.88%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Clark Freeport
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,780
$1.91β±115
-44.50%
White Bread(500g)
$1.30COPΒ 4,643
$1.26β±76.0
3.17%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,911
$1.01β±61.2
36.63%
Eggs
$2.21COPΒ 7,883
$2.10β±127
5.24%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.52COPΒ 16.1K
$7.91β±479
-42.86%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.80COPΒ 20.7K
$4.30β±260
34.88%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COPΒ 32.0K
$7.68β±465
16.80%
Apples(1kg)
$2.29COPΒ 8,157
$3.00β±181
-23.67%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,779
$1.52β±92.2
-30.26%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.51COPΒ 5,394
$2.63β±159
-42.59%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COPΒ 4,854
$1.59β±96.5
-14.47%
Potato(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,133
$2.32β±141
-50.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,161
$2.53β±153
-53.75%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.83COPΒ 2,951
$1.07β±64.9
-22.43%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85COPΒ 3,034
$0.77β±46.73
10.39%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.35COPΒ 8,397
$2.92β±176
-19.52%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.09COPΒ 39.6K
$8.18β±495
35.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.15COPΒ 4,120
$1.21β±73.2
-4.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,826
$2.04β±123
21.08%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Clark Freeport
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,818
$0.23β±13.92
243.48%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.85COPΒ 149.3K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,124
$0.77β±46.73
87.01%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,772
$0.24β±14.58
691.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.70COPΒ 27.5K
$2.19β±133
251.60%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.03COPΒ 3,669
$1.10β±66.6
-6.36%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.7KCOPΒ 63.1M
$26.9Kβ±1.6M
-34.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.0KCOPΒ 96.4M
$20.6Kβ±1.2M
31.20%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Clark Freeport
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.4COPΒ 290.5K
$111β±6,704
-26.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.42COPΒ 33.6K
$32.79β±1,984
-71.27%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.77COPΒ 84.8K
$27.87β±1,686
-14.71%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Clark Freeport
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.86COPΒ 92.3K
$34.30β±2,076
-24.61%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.34COPΒ 69.0K
$4.35β±263
344.60%
Cinema Ticket
$4.05COPΒ 14.5K
$5.85β±354
-30.77%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Clark Freeport
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$151β±9,147
106.70%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,067COPΒ 21.6M
$4,315β±261.1K
40.58%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Clark Freeport
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.9COPΒ 210.0K
$45.62β±2,760
29.02%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.82COPΒ 117.1K
$26.53β±1,606
23.71%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$100COPΒ 358.5K
$76.0β±4,599
32.18%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106COPΒ 379.2K
$53.5β±3,237
98.67%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Clark Freeport
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$490COPΒ 1.7M
$271β±16.4K
80.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$371COPΒ 1.3M
$179β±10.9K
106.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$577β±34.9K
45.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$715COPΒ 2.6M
$388β±23.5K
84.37%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,952COPΒ 10.5M
$2,370β±143.4K
24.56%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,394COPΒ 5.0M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Clark Freeport
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$532COPΒ 1.9M
$330β±20.0K
61.33%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.67
101.35%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 20, 2026
Last update for Clark Freeport: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $490 in Medellin and $271 in Clark Freeport. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Medellin pays 61% 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 in Medellin vs $18 in Clark Freeport. Groceries flip the comparison at $190 vs $207, with Medellin cheaper for home cooking.
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 Clark Freeport: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and Clark Freeport?
Medellin and Clark Freeport differ by about 35% in total monthly costs ($1,030 vs $762 including rent). Clark Freeport is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Medellin or Clark Freeport?
Medellin pays 61% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Medellin and Clark Freeport?
Rent for a central apartment: $490 in Medellin versus $271 in Clark Freeport. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Medellin and Clark Freeport?
Childcare runs $312 in Medellin versus $151 in Clark Freeport. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Clark Freeport β a meal for two runs $18.00 versus $33.00 in Medellin. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $762 in Clark Freeport versus $1,030 in Medellin, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Clark Freeport but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Clark Freeport the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Clark Freeport?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Medellin or Clark Freeport safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Clark Freeport are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Medellin or Clark Freeport?
Expats usually find Clark Freeport gentler on the wallet β expenses run 35% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.