πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,013 in Medellin versus $1,581 in Costa da Caparica.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $2,336 in Costa da Caparica.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,192 in Medellin versus $3,091 in Costa da Caparica.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 36% less than in Costa da Caparica, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 24% below, Costa da Caparica is 18% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Costa da Caparica
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.3K
$11.60β¬9.99
-48.36%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 116.9K
$46.39β¬39.94
-29.17%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.2K
$9.42β¬8.11
-24.73%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,093
$2.16β¬1.86
-20.83%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,910
$1.84β¬1.59
-40.22%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,771
$1.43β¬1.23
-45.45%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,976
$2.34β¬2.02
-28.21%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$3.42β¬2.94
-10.23%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Costa da Caparica
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,892
$1.11β¬0.95
-1.80%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,492
$1.58β¬1.36
-20.25%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,905
$1.67β¬1.43
-17.37%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,799
$3.11β¬2.68
-29.58%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$11.30β¬9.73
-61.06%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.0K
$7.66β¬6.59
-26.50%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.6K
$13.87β¬11.94
-35.90%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,319
$2.41β¬2.07
-2.90%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,764
$1.47β¬1.27
-27.89%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,355
$1.87β¬1.61
-19.79%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,906
$2.49β¬2.14
-44.58%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,097
$1.50β¬1.29
-23.33%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,141
$1.92β¬1.65
-39.58%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,170
$1.57β¬1.35
-43.31%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,986
$0.81β¬0.70
3.70%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,116
$5.94β¬5.11
-61.62%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$5.11β¬4.40
108.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,268
$1.29β¬1.11
-6.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,793
$2.28β¬1.96
8.33%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Costa da Caparica
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,045
$2.26β¬1.95
-61.95%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.3K
$42.59β¬36.66
-2.79%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,245
$4.08β¬3.52
-63.97%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,984
$0.81β¬0.70
141.98%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.5K
$17.11β¬14.73
-54.76%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,397
$1.91β¬1.65
-50.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.5M
$34.5Kβ¬29.7K
-47.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.2M
$40.1Kβ¬34.5K
-33.89%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Costa da Caparica
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 292.7K
$137β¬118
-39.85%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.8K
$21.19β¬18.24
-55.17%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.2K
$42.59β¬36.67
-43.11%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Costa da Caparica
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.1K
$44.65β¬38.44
-42.02%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.6K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$8.62β¬7.42
-54.41%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Costa da Caparica
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$463β¬399
-33.21%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.2M
$8,459β¬7,282
-29.48%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Costa da Caparica
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 208.7K
$74.1β¬63.8
-20.84%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.1K
$39.28β¬33.81
-17.64%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.1K
$90.7β¬78.1
13.12%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 385.8K
$92.0β¬79.2
17.85%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Costa da Caparica
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$941β¬810
-49.39%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$729β¬628
-48.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$1,448β¬1,246
-42.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$1,136β¬978
-36.28%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
$3,062β¬2,636
-8.85%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$2,296β¬1,977
-47.24%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Costa da Caparica
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.01
168.06%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Costa da Caparica: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $476 in Medellin and $941 in Costa da Caparica. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $46.00 in Costa da Caparica for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $188 vs $246 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 Costa da Caparica: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and Costa da Caparica?
Medellin and Costa da Caparica differ by about 56% in total monthly costs ($1,013 vs $1,581 including rent). Medellin is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Costa da Caparica?
You'd need roughly $1,519 in Medellin and $2,371 in Costa da Caparica to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Medellin and Costa da Caparica?
Rent for a central apartment: $476 in Medellin versus $941 in Costa da Caparica. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Medellin β a meal for two runs $33.00 versus $46.00 in Costa da Caparica. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Costa da Caparica?
All in, you'll spend $1,013 per month in Medellin versus $1,581 in Costa da Caparica β a 56% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,013 in Medellin versus $1,581 in Costa da Caparica, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Costa da Caparica. 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 Costa da Caparica?
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 Costa da Caparica safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Costa da Caparica 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 Costa da Caparica?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 56% less than in Costa da Caparica. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.