πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $1,302 in Curepe, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $2,287 in Curepe, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $3,273 in Curepe, rent included.
πMedellin is about 22% cheaper than Curepe, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Medellin and Curepe are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Curepe3% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Curepe
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$10.53TTDΒ 70.6
-43.11%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$89.8TTDΒ 602
-63.42%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$7.30TTDΒ 48.93
-2.88%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$3.67TTDΒ 24.59
-53.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$1.08TTDΒ 7.26
1.85%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.82TTDΒ 5.50
-4.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$1.88TTDΒ 12.57
-10.64%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$3.12TTDΒ 20.91
-1.60%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Curepe
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$1.88TTDΒ 12.56
-42.02%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$2.17TTDΒ 14.51
-41.94%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$2.11TTDΒ 14.14
-34.60%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$2.94TTDΒ 19.70
-25.51%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$7.73TTDΒ 51.8
-43.08%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$10.21TTDΒ 68.4
-44.86%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$11.96TTDΒ 80.1
-25.67%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$3.28TTDΒ 21.98
-28.66%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$2.62TTDΒ 17.54
-59.54%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$4.22TTDΒ 28.27
-64.45%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$4.87TTDΒ 32.60
-71.66%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$1.50TTDΒ 10.03
-23.33%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$1.61TTDΒ 10.82
-27.95%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$1.01TTDΒ 6.77
-11.88%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.71TTDΒ 4.77
18.31%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$4.57TTDΒ 30.62
-50.11%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$13.04TTDΒ 87.4
-18.40%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$1.75TTDΒ 11.72
-31.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$2.28TTDΒ 15.25
8.33%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Curepe
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$0.61TTDΒ 4.07
40.98%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$1.00TTDΒ 6.73
47.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$1.24TTDΒ 8.31
58.06%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$14.68TTDΒ 98.3
-47.28%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$1.13TTDΒ 7.60
-15.93%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$33.6KTTDΒ 225.2K
-46.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$38.8KTTDΒ 259.8K
-31.71%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Curepe
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$80.9TTDΒ 542
1.67%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$46.86TTDΒ 314
-79.73%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$62.6TTDΒ 420
-61.30%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Curepe
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$9.96TTDΒ 66.8
-60.54%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Curepe
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$322TTDΒ 2,157
-3.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$7,241TTDΒ 48.5K
-17.62%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Curepe
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$58.2TTDΒ 390
0.88%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$38.19TTDΒ 256
-15.29%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$144TTDΒ 966
-28.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$128TTDΒ 857
-15.21%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Curepe
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$730TTDΒ 4,888
-34.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$439TTDΒ 2,943
-13.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$1,506TTDΒ 10.1K
-44.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$1,127TTDΒ 7,552
-35.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Curepe
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$522TTDΒ 3,497
-1.95%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.38
149.63%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Curepe: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $730 in Curepe. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 2% higher in Curepe, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $90.0 in Curepe. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $304 β making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Curepe: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and Curepe compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,013 in Medellin, $1,302 in Curepe β roughly 29% apart. Curepe costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Curepe?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,519 per month in Medellin and $1,953 in Curepe. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and Curepe?
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.
Groceries cost about 61% more in Curepe, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
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 Curepe at $1,302. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Curepe it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Curepe?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,013 in Medellin to $1,302 in Curepe. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Medellin and Curepe?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Curepe makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.