Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and CoamoCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Coamo
Monthly Cost of Living
πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,028 in Medellin versus $1,475 in Coamo.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,586 in Medellin versus $2,475 in Coamo.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,144 in Medellin versus $3,474 in Coamo.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 30% less than in Coamo, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 23% below, Coamo is 11% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Coamo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.00COPΒ 20.6K
$18.73$18.73
-67.97%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.84COPΒ 112.5K
$81.1$81.1
-59.51%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.42COPΒ 25.4K
$9.34$9.34
-20.56%
Cappuccino
$1.65COPΒ 5,659
$3.62$3.62
-54.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07COPΒ 3,663
$1.72$1.72
-37.79%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76COPΒ 2,607
$1.44$1.44
-47.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COPΒ 5,908
$2.92$2.92
-41.10%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20COPΒ 11.0K
$4.46$4.46
-28.25%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Coamo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,597
$2.42$2.42
-56.61%
White Bread(500g)
$1.31COPΒ 4,479
$3.49$3.49
-62.46%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.34COPΒ 4,591
$2.27$2.27
-40.97%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,521
$6.03$6.03
-63.68%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.41COPΒ 15.1K
$8.67$8.67
-49.13%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.69COPΒ 19.5K
$8.50$8.50
-33.06%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.52COPΒ 29.2K
$12.57$12.57
-32.22%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,023
$6.02$6.02
-61.13%
Banana(1kg)
$1.11COPΒ 3,804
$2.72$2.72
-59.19%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,210
$4.02$4.02
-62.19%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,680
$3.99$3.99
-65.66%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 3,950
$3.93$3.93
-70.74%
Onion(1kg)
$1.18COPΒ 4,043
$3.02$3.02
-60.93%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.84COPΒ 2,885
$2.97$2.97
-71.72%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86COPΒ 2,931
$1.89$1.89
-54.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.26COPΒ 7,753
$11.98$11.98
-81.14%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.60COPΒ 39.8K
$15.55$15.55
-25.40%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,109
$2.53$2.53
-52.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COPΒ 8,484
$3.29$3.29
-24.62%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Coamo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,721
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.83COPΒ 139.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,023
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.92COPΒ 6,568
$1.47$1.47
30.61%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.77COPΒ 26.6K
$14.79$14.79
-47.46%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,464
$0.94$0.94
7.45%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.7KCOPΒ 60.5M
$36.5K$36.5K
-51.67%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 90.7M
$27.0K$27.0K
-1.89%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Coamo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.1COPΒ 277.9K
$488$488
-83.39%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.43COPΒ 32.3K
$78.5$78.5
-87.98%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.86COPΒ 81.8K
$75.2$75.2
-68.27%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Coamo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.99COPΒ 89.1K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.71COPΒ 64.1K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.09COPΒ 14.0K
$11.90$11.90
-65.63%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Coamo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$315COPΒ 1.1M
$467$467
-32.64%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,022COPΒ 20.6M
$10.3K$10.3K
-41.56%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Coamo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.7COPΒ 204.6K
$45.55$45.55
31.06%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.97COPΒ 109.6K
$55.7$55.7
-42.64%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101COPΒ 346.9K
$89.6$89.6
12.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$105COPΒ 360.3K
$104$104
1.15%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Coamo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$485COPΒ 1.7M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$365COPΒ 1.3M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$827COPΒ 2.8M
$1,784$1,784
-53.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$730COPΒ 2.5M
$592$592
23.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,992COPΒ 10.3M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,314COPΒ 4.5M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Coamo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$551COPΒ 1.9M
$2,819$2,819
-80.46%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.71
135.20%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 15, 2026
Last update for Coamo: June 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π°Coamo pays 412% 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 $81.0 in Coamo for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $384 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 Coamo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and Coamo?
Medellin and Coamo differ by about 43% in total monthly costs ($1,028 vs $1,475 including rent). Medellin is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Coamo earns 412% 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 difference in childcare costs between Medellin and Coamo?
Childcare runs $315 in Medellin versus $467 in Coamo. 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 Medellin β a meal for two runs $33.00 versus $81.0 in Coamo. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,028 in Medellin versus $1,475 in Coamo, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Coamo. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Coamo?
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 Coamo safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Coamo 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 Coamo?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 43% less than in Coamo. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.