πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $716 in FacatativΓ‘, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,137 in FacatativΓ‘, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $1,557 in FacatativΓ‘, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 42% more than FacatativΓ‘, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Medellin and FacatativΓ‘ are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, FacatativΓ‘47% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
FacatativΓ‘
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$2.90COPΒ 10.1K
105.17%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$31.61COPΒ 110.3K
5.44%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$7.67COPΒ 26.8K
-5.74%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$1.18COPΒ 4,103
38.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.35COPΒ 1,216
211.43%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.35COPΒ 1,217
108.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$1.17COPΒ 4,076
48.72%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$2.20COPΒ 7,675
46.82%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
FacatativΓ‘
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$0.94COPΒ 3,279
11.70%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$1.05COPΒ 3,679
22.86%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.18COPΒ 4,103
11.86%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$1.98COPΒ 6,897
14.65%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$2.69COPΒ 9,378
61.71%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$4.97COPΒ 17.3K
18.31%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$6.25COPΒ 21.8K
37.76%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$0.79COPΒ 2,747
184.81%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$0.77COPΒ 2,690
38.96%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.29COPΒ 4,512
17.83%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$0.91COPΒ 3,172
56.04%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.13COPΒ 3,939
3.54%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$1.17COPΒ 4,068
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.64COPΒ 2,218
39.06%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.35COPΒ 1,213
157.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$2.87COPΒ 10.0K
-21.60%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$4.37COPΒ 15.2K
152.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$0.88COPΒ 3,083
29.55%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.19COPΒ 4,142
100.00%
π Getting Around
Medellin
FacatativΓ‘
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.71COPΒ 2,485
18.31%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$29.50COPΒ 103.0K
42.20%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$1.43COPΒ 5,007
-1.40%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.91COPΒ 3,184
108.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$6.14COPΒ 21.4K
26.22%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$0.77COPΒ 2,673
31.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$15.5KCOPΒ 54.3M
13.08%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$24.7KCOPΒ 86.2M
7.27%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
FacatativΓ‘
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$37.33COPΒ 130.3K
124.16%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$2.47COPΒ 8,622
282.59%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$25.60COPΒ 89.4K
-5.82%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
FacatativΓ‘
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$23.15COPΒ 80.8K
9.33%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$4.96COPΒ 17.3K
-17.34%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
FacatativΓ‘
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$291COPΒ 1.0M
7.27%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$8,445COPΒ 29.5M
-29.03%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
FacatativΓ‘
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$58.1COPΒ 202.8K
-0.10%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$42.47COPΒ 148.2K
-23.33%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$101COPΒ 352.6K
-1.41%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$82.6COPΒ 288.3K
31.37%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
FacatativΓ‘
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$287COPΒ 1.0M
67.81%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$242COPΒ 843.6K
56.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$527COPΒ 1.8M
59.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$435COPΒ 1.5M
66.42%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$1,627COPΒ 5.7M
74.57%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$1,286COPΒ 4.5M
-4.86%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
FacatativΓ‘
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
12.93
3.87%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for FacatativΓ‘: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $287 in FacatativΓ‘. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $32.00 in FacatativΓ‘. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $130 β making FacatativΓ‘ 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 FacatativΓ‘: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and FacatativΓ‘ compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,017 in Medellin, $716 in FacatativΓ‘ β roughly 42% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to FacatativΓ‘?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,525 per month in Medellin and $1,074 in FacatativΓ‘. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and FacatativΓ‘?
Rent is clearly cheaper in FacatativΓ‘, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 45% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in FacatativΓ‘, where all-in costs run around $716, than in Medellin at $1,017. In FacatativΓ‘ it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and FacatativΓ‘?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $716 in FacatativΓ‘ to $1,017 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Medellin and FacatativΓ‘?
If budget matters most, go with FacatativΓ‘. 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.