Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and El Congo Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and El Congo

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $561 in El Congo, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $592 in El Congo, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $623 in El Congo, rent included.

Medellin costs about 84% more than El Congo, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Medellin and El Congo are more affordable than the global median – Medellin 23% lower, El Congo 58% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.92 COP 21.4K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.75 COP 118.2K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.20 COP 26.0K

Cappuccino

$1.70 COP 6,140

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.10 COP 3,966

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.72 COP 2,605

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.67 COP 6,022

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.10 COP 11.2K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.06 COP 3,809

White Bread (500g)

$1.25 COP 4,497

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.39 COP 5,022

Eggs

$2.26 COP 8,168

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.33 COP 15.6K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.84 COP 21.1K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.83 COP 31.9K

Apples (1kg)

$2.24 COP 8,099

Banana (1kg)

$1.08 COP 3,882

Oranges (1kg)

$1.53 COP 5,522

Tomato (1kg)

$1.37 COP 4,950

Potato (1kg)

$1.13 COP 4,078

Onion (1kg)

$1.12 COP 4,036

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.85 COP 3,057

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.91 COP 3,281

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.33 COP 8,414

Wine (Bottle)

$11.13 COP 40.2K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.19 COP 4,309

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.37 COP 8,553

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.79 COP 2,838

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.13 COP 148.5K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.44 COP 5,184

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.91 COP 6,901

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.02 COP 28.9K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.94 COP 3,385

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$17.9K COP 64.7M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.8K COP 96.7M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$84.0 COP 303.1K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$9.60 COP 34.7K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.16 COP 87.2K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.88 COP 93.4K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.04 COP 68.7K

Cinema Ticket

$3.92 COP 14.1K

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$306 COP 1.1M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,919 COP 21.4M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$57.9 COP 209.1K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.82 COP 114.9K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$99.9 COP 360.6K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 COP 386.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$487 COP 1.8M

$719 $719

-32.28%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$368 COP 1.3M

$564 $564

-34.72%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$826 COP 3.0M

$963 $963

-14.22%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$716 COP 2.6M

$622 $622

15.10%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,925 COP 10.6M

$4,383 $4,383

-33.27%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,407 COP 5.1M

$1,268 $1,268

10.99%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$546 COP 2.0M

$942 $942

-42.07%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.43

5.72

134.79%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026

Last update for El Congo: April 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $487 in Medellin versus $719 in El Congo. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 73% higher in El Congo, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

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 El Congo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,034 in Medellin, $561 in El Congo – roughly 84% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,550 per month in Medellin and $841 in El Congo. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in El Congo, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in El Congo, where all-in costs run around $561, than in Medellin at $1,034. In El Congo it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $561 in El Congo to $1,034 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with El Congo. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Medellin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.