πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $1,073 in Grand Bois, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,757 in Grand Bois, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $2,442 in Grand Bois, rent included.
πMedellin is about 5% cheaper than Grand Bois, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Medellin and Grand Bois are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Grand Bois20% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Grand Bois
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$6.78MURΒ 319
-12.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$44.64MURΒ 2,102
-25.34%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$7.23MURΒ 341
-
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$2.67MURΒ 126
-38.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.97MURΒ 45.61
12.37%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.56MURΒ 26.18
30.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$2.18MURΒ 103
-20.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$3.39MURΒ 160
-4.72%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Grand Bois
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.65MURΒ 77.7
-36.36%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.66MURΒ 30.88
95.45%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.29MURΒ 60.6
2.33%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.26MURΒ 106
0.44%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$12.06MURΒ 568
-63.93%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$6.06MURΒ 285
-2.97%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$12.69MURΒ 597
-32.15%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$2.01MURΒ 94.4
11.94%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$2.00MURΒ 94.0
-46.50%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.49MURΒ 70.3
2.01%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$2.71MURΒ 128
-47.60%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.98MURΒ 46.30
19.39%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$1.02MURΒ 47.81
14.71%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.86MURΒ 40.49
3.49%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.75MURΒ 35.41
20.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$6.65MURΒ 313
-66.17%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$8.31MURΒ 391
32.85%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.75MURΒ 82.3
-34.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.17MURΒ 102
9.68%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Grand Bois
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.99MURΒ 46.76
-15.15%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$4.47MURΒ 210
-68.46%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$2.65MURΒ 125
-28.30%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$20.00MURΒ 942
-61.25%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.41MURΒ 66.4
-28.37%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$36.0KMURΒ 1.7M
-51.16%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$29.1KMURΒ 1.4M
-9.01%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Grand Bois
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$48.84MURΒ 2,300
71.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$18.33MURΒ 863
-48.45%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$33.91MURΒ 1,597
-28.90%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Grand Bois
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$37.87MURΒ 1,783
-33.17%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$5.90MURΒ 278
-30.51%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Grand Bois
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$154MURΒ 7,229
103.19%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$3,976MURΒ 187.2K
50.73%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Grand Bois
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$86.8MURΒ 4,088
-33.15%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$80.0MURΒ 3,767
-59.30%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$132MURΒ 6,197
-24.30%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$96.4MURΒ 4,540
12.59%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Grand Bois
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$513MURΒ 24.2K
-6.03%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$347MURΒ 16.3K
9.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$950MURΒ 44.7K
-11.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$713MURΒ 33.6K
1.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Grand Bois
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
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: June 8, 2026
Last update for Grand Bois: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $513 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 $45.00 in Grand Bois. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $230 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 6%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. 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 $1,525 per month in Medellin and $1,609 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 $1,017 in Medellin and $1,073 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 $312 per month in Medellin and $154 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 $1,017, than in Grand Bois at $1,073. 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.