😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,003 in Medellin versus $751 in Ellerton.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,573 in Medellin versus $1,117 in Ellerton.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,143 in Medellin versus $1,484 in Ellerton.
🌍Living in Medellin is roughly 34% more expensive than in Ellerton, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Medellin25% lower, Ellerton44% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Ellerton
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.91COP 18.6K
$7.62BBD 15.25
-22.44%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.96COP 103.8K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.43COP 23.4K
$5.14BBD 10.28
44.55%
Cappuccino
$1.65COP 5,207
$0.99BBD 1.97
66.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,468
$1.72BBD 3.44
-36.05%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COP 2,458
$1.26BBD 2.53
-38.10%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,412
$1.74BBD 3.47
-1.15%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COP 10.0K
$2.26BBD 4.52
40.71%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Ellerton
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10COP 3,474
$1.97BBD 3.94
-44.16%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COP 3,962
$1.83BBD 3.66
-31.15%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,349
-
-
Eggs
$2.18COP 6,858
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.49COP 14.1K
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.79COP 18.2K
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COP 28.2K
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.32COP 7,308
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COP 3,352
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COP 4,774
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COP 4,270
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,552
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,689
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90COP 2,838
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COP 2,823
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.23COP 7,034
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$12.12COP 38.2K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 3,743
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COP 7,815
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Ellerton
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.85COP 2,687
$1.91BBD 3.81
-55.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.62COP 131.0K
$19.87BBD 39.74
109.46%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COP 4,459
$25.39BBD 50.8
-94.41%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.95COP 6,141
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.89COP 24.8K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,118
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOP 55.4M
$50.7KBBD 101.4K
-65.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 84.4M
$45.6KBBD 91.2K
-41.23%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Ellerton
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.0COP 261.4K
$98.3BBD 197
-15.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.70COP 30.5K
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.52COP 74.1K
$79.3BBD 159
-70.35%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Ellerton
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.26COP 79.5K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.10COP 60.1K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.95COP 12.4K
$9.82BBD 19.64
-59.78%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Ellerton
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$316COP 994.2K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,975COP 18.8M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Ellerton
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0COP 188.9K
$60.3BBD 121
-0.55%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 100.2K
$34.72BBD 69.4
-8.35%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102COP 320.1K
$69.0BBD 138
47.28%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 338.3K
$84.3BBD 169
27.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Ellerton
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$475COP 1.5M
$300BBD 601
58.16%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$374COP 1.2M
$252BBD 504
48.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$849COP 2.7M
$745BBD 1,490
13.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$719COP 2.3M
$598BBD 1,197
20.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,265COP 10.3M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,441COP 4.5M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Ellerton
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$624COP 2.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Last update for Ellerton: July 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $475 in Medellin and $300 in Ellerton. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
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 Ellerton: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ellerton cheaper than Medellin?
Ellerton is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Sport & Entertainment. The 34% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,504 in Medellin and $1,126 in Ellerton 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.
What is the rent difference between Medellin and Ellerton?
Rent for a central apartment: $475 in Medellin versus $300 in Ellerton. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and in Ellerton?
Supermarket bills run roughly 408% higher in Medellin. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Ellerton runs roughly 109% less than in Medellin. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Ellerton?
At $751 in Ellerton versus $1,003 in Medellin, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Ellerton but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Ellerton the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or Ellerton more family-friendly?
For families, Ellerton is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Medellin, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Ellerton?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Ellerton are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Ellerton gentler on the wallet – expenses run 34% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.