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 $1,641 per month in Medellin vs $575 in El Congo, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,447 per month in Medellin vs $596 in El Congo, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,253 per month in Medellin vs $617 in El Congo, rent included.

Medellin costs about 186% more than El Congo, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Medellin sits 19% above the global median, while El Congo is 58% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.04 COP 25.0K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$48.29 COP 150.0K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.42 COP 29.3K

Cappuccino

$2.94 COP 9,127

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

$1.86 COP 5,790

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.46 COP 4,522

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.21 COP 9,977

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.71 COP 17.7K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.44 COP 4,471

White Bread (500g)

$2.40 COP 7,460

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.70 COP 5,278

Eggs

$2.89 COP 8,982

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.06 COP 31.2K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.97 COP 31.0K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.20 COP 44.1K

Apples (1kg)

$3.98 COP 12.4K

Banana (1kg)

$1.58 COP 4,925

Oranges (1kg)

$2.15 COP 6,688

Tomato (1kg)

$2.30 COP 7,146

Potato (1kg)

$2.00 COP 6,228

Onion (1kg)

$1.51 COP 4,691

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.20 COP 3,737

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.28 COP 3,984

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.84 COP 11.9K

Wine (Bottle)

$14.01 COP 43.5K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.71 COP 5,307

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.74 COP 8,521

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.25 COP 3,871

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$77.9 COP 242.1K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.31 COP 4,055

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.17 COP 6,745

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.29 COP 25.8K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.36 COP 4,212

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

$27.5K COP 85.4M

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

$36.5K COP 113.5M

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

$169 COP 524.3K

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

$13.57 COP 42.2K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$28.32 COP 88.0K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.71 COP 142.0K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.22 COP 53.5K

Cinema Ticket

$6.65 COP 20.7K

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

$803 COP 2.5M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,190 COP 28.6M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$87.4 COP 271.4K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$59.4 COP 184.5K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$139 COP 431.6K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$102 COP 317.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,071 COP 3.3M

$706 $706

51.63%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$653 COP 2.0M

$563 $563

15.89%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,925 COP 6.0M

$960 $960

100.43%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,048 COP 3.3M

$625 $625

67.65%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,123 COP 12.8M

$4,227 $4,227

-2.48%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,697 COP 5.3M

$1,284 $1,284

32.24%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$655 COP 2.0M

$942 $942

-30.50%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.94

5.72

91.26%

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

Last update for Medellin: September 7, 2026

Last update for El Congo: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,071 in Medellin versus $706 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 44% 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: $1,641 in Medellin, $575 in El Congo – roughly 186% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,462 per month in Medellin and $862 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 $575, than in Medellin at $1,641. 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 $575 in El Congo to $1,641 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.