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 $1,003 per month in Medellin vs $578 in El Congo, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,573 per month in Medellin vs $605 in El Congo, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,143 per month in Medellin vs $631 in El Congo, rent included.

Medellin costs about 73% more than El Congo, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Medellin and El Congo are more affordable than the global median – Medellin 25% lower, El Congo 57% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.91 COP 18.4K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.96 COP 102.7K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.43 COP 23.1K

Cappuccino

$1.65 COP 5,153

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

$1.10 COP 3,432

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.78 COP 2,433

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.72 COP 5,356

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.18 COP 9,904

Milk (1 liter)

$1.10 COP 3,439

White Bread (500g)

$1.26 COP 3,921

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.38 COP 4,304

Eggs

$2.18 COP 6,788

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.49 COP 14.0K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.79 COP 18.0K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.97 COP 27.9K

Apples (1kg)

$2.32 COP 7,232

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 COP 3,318

Oranges (1kg)

$1.52 COP 4,725

Tomato (1kg)

$1.36 COP 4,226

Potato (1kg)

$1.13 COP 3,515

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 COP 3,651

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.90 COP 2,809

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.90 COP 2,794

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.23 COP 6,961

Wine (Bottle)

$12.12 COP 37.8K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.19 COP 3,704

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 COP 7,735

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.85 COP 2,660

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$41.62 COP 129.7K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.42 COP 4,413

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.95 COP 6,078

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.89 COP 24.6K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.99 COP 3,086

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

$17.6K COP 54.8M

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

$26.8K COP 83.5M

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

$83.0 COP 258.7K

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

$9.70 COP 30.2K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.52 COP 73.3K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.26 COP 78.7K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.10 COP 59.5K

Cinema Ticket

$3.95 COP 12.3K

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

$316 COP 984.0K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,975 COP 18.6M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.0 COP 187.0K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.82 COP 99.1K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 COP 316.8K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 COP 334.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$475 COP 1.5M

$726 $726

-34.58%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$374 COP 1.2M

$566 $566

-33.93%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$849 COP 2.6M

$962 $962

-11.74%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$719 COP 2.2M

$632 $632

13.88%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,265 COP 10.2M

$4,316 $4,316

-24.34%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,441 COP 4.5M

$1,290 $1,290

11.69%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$624 COP 1.9M

$932 $932

-33.00%

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: July 27, 2026

Last update for El Congo: July 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $475 in Medellin versus $726 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 49% 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: $1,003 in Medellin, $578 in El Congo – roughly 73% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,504 per month in Medellin and $867 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 $578, than in Medellin at $1,003. 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 $578 in El Congo to $1,003 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.