πA single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $1,057 in Grand Bois, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $1,720 in Grand Bois, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $2,382 in Grand Bois, rent included.
πMedellin is about 2% cheaper than Grand Bois, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Medellin and Grand Bois are more affordable than the global median β Medellin23% lower, Grand Bois21% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Grand Bois
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.4K
$6.48MURΒ 303
-8.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COPΒ 118.2K
$43.53MURΒ 2,037
-24.76%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COPΒ 26.0K
$7.05MURΒ 330
2.13%
Cappuccino
$1.70COPΒ 6,140
$2.67MURΒ 125
-36.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,966
$1.04MURΒ 48.60
5.77%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COPΒ 2,605
$0.56MURΒ 26.02
28.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COPΒ 6,022
$2.16MURΒ 101
-22.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COPΒ 11.2K
$3.24MURΒ 152
-4.32%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Grand Bois
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,809
$1.71MURΒ 79.9
-38.01%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COPΒ 4,497
$0.67MURΒ 31.14
86.57%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COPΒ 5,022
$1.33MURΒ 62.4
4.51%
Eggs
$2.26COPΒ 8,168
$2.27MURΒ 106
-0.44%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COPΒ 15.6K
$11.97MURΒ 560
-63.83%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COPΒ 21.1K
$6.28MURΒ 294
-7.01%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COPΒ 31.9K
$12.88MURΒ 603
-31.44%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COPΒ 8,099
$2.07MURΒ 97.1
8.21%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COPΒ 3,882
$1.93MURΒ 90.1
-44.04%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COPΒ 5,522
$1.44MURΒ 67.3
6.25%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,950
$2.63MURΒ 123
-47.91%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COPΒ 4,078
$1.03MURΒ 48.23
9.71%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COPΒ 4,036
$0.93MURΒ 43.45
20.43%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COPΒ 3,057
$0.84MURΒ 39.42
1.19%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COPΒ 3,281
$0.77MURΒ 36.00
18.18%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COPΒ 8,414
$6.71MURΒ 314
-65.28%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COPΒ 40.2K
$8.46MURΒ 396
31.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COPΒ 4,309
$1.74MURΒ 81.6
-31.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COPΒ 8,553
$2.19MURΒ 102
8.22%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Grand Bois
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,838
$1.00MURΒ 46.85
-21.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COPΒ 148.5K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,184
$4.33MURΒ 203
-66.74%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COPΒ 6,901
$2.73MURΒ 128
-30.04%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COPΒ 28.9K
$19.74MURΒ 924
-59.37%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COPΒ 3,385
$1.42MURΒ 66.2
-33.80%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOPΒ 64.7M
$35.2KMURΒ 1.6M
-49.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOPΒ 96.7M
$29.0KMURΒ 1.4M
-7.62%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Grand Bois
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COPΒ 303.1K
$50.1MURΒ 2,345
67.52%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COPΒ 34.7K
$18.64MURΒ 872
-48.50%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COPΒ 87.2K
$33.63MURΒ 1,574
-28.16%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Grand Bois
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COPΒ 93.4K
$37.82MURΒ 1,769
-31.57%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COPΒ 68.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COPΒ 14.1K
$6.13MURΒ 287
-36.05%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Grand Bois
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COPΒ 1.1M
$157MURΒ 7,337
95.37%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COPΒ 21.4M
$3,944MURΒ 184.5K
50.06%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Grand Bois
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COPΒ 209.1K
$83.9MURΒ 3,926
-30.99%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COPΒ 114.9K
$78.2MURΒ 3,659
-59.31%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COPΒ 360.6K
$131MURΒ 6,129
-23.74%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COPΒ 386.8K
$93.8MURΒ 4,388
14.25%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Grand Bois
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COPΒ 1.8M
$511MURΒ 23.9K
-4.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COPΒ 1.3M
$346MURΒ 16.2K
6.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COPΒ 3.0M
$941MURΒ 44.0K
-12.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COPΒ 2.6M
$732MURΒ 34.2K
-2.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COPΒ 10.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COPΒ 5.1M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Grand Bois
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COPΒ 2.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.67
101.35%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026
Last update for Grand Bois: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $487 in Medellin versus $511 in Grand Bois. 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 $44.00 in Grand Bois. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $232 β making Medellin 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 Grand Bois: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Bois cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Grand Bois is pricier by about 2%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,550 per month in Medellin and $1,586 in Grand Bois. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Medellin, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Grand Bois?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,034 in Medellin and $1,057 in Grand Bois. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $306 per month in Medellin and $157 in Grand Bois. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Grand Bois?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,034, than in Grand Bois at $1,057. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Grand Bois it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Grand Bois more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Medellin β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Grand Bois?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Grand Bois makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.