πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,013 in Medellin versus $760 in JaguariΓΊna.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,218 in JaguariΓΊna.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,192 in Medellin versus $1,675 in JaguariΓΊna.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 33% more expensive than JaguariΓΊna, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, JaguariΓΊna43% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
JaguariΓΊna
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.5K
$5.45R$28.08
9.91%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 118.1K
$27.40R$141
19.93%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.5K
$6.32R$32.58
12.18%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,154
$1.78R$9.18
-3.93%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,949
$1.12R$5.75
-1.79%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,798
$0.63R$3.22
23.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 6,035
$1.76R$9.05
-4.55%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$2.76R$14.23
11.23%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
JaguariΓΊna
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,930
$0.95R$4.88
14.74%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,536
$1.45R$7.48
-13.10%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,953
$1.18R$6.08
16.95%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,876
$1.94R$9.99
12.89%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.8K
$8.13R$41.86
-45.88%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.2K
$3.69R$19.02
52.57%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 32.0K
$7.36R$37.90
20.79%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,401
$2.07R$10.69
13.04%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,801
$1.49R$7.66
-28.86%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,408
$1.19R$6.15
26.05%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,955
$1.47R$7.55
-6.12%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,137
$1.20R$6.18
-4.17%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,181
$1.11R$5.70
4.50%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,202
$0.73R$3.77
21.92%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 3,016
$0.67R$3.44
25.37%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,196
$2.15R$11.06
6.05%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.2K
$7.85R$40.45
35.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,311
$1.27R$6.56
-5.51%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,880
$1.99R$10.25
24.12%
π Getting Around
Medellin
JaguariΓΊna
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,075
$0.89R$4.57
-3.37%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 148.8K
$38.99R$201
6.18%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,297
$1.07R$5.49
37.38%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,053
$0.70R$3.62
180.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.8K
$6.45R$33.21
20.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,430
$1.08R$5.59
-12.04%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 65.2M
$20.4KR$105.3K
-11.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 95.2M
$28.0KR$144.2K
-5.36%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
JaguariΓΊna
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 295.6K
$60.5R$312
35.97%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 34.1K
$13.39R$69.0
-29.05%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 87.1K
$15.21R$78.4
59.30%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
JaguariΓΊna
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 93.0K
$22.28R$115
16.20%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 68.3K
$22.01R$113
-13.68%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.1K
$6.19R$31.89
-36.51%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
JaguariΓΊna
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$270R$1,392
14.54%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.4M
$6,473R$33.3K
-7.84%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
JaguariΓΊna
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 210.8K
$48.61R$250
20.67%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 116.2K
$41.49R$214
-22.03%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 368.7K
$76.7R$395
33.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 389.6K
$65.1R$335
66.58%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
JaguariΓΊna
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$320R$1,646
49.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$214R$1,104
76.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$573R$2,951
46.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$431R$2,221
67.87%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
$1,619R$8,340
72.36%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.4M
$1,171R$6,032
3.45%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
JaguariΓΊna
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$983R$5,066
-47.96%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
10.92
22.99%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for JaguariΓΊna: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $476 in Medellin and $320 in JaguariΓΊna. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°JaguariΓΊna pays 92% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $27.00 in JaguariΓΊna for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $188 vs $176 per month, with JaguariΓΊna cheaper across the board.
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 JaguariΓΊna: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or JaguariΓΊna?
JaguariΓΊna wins on cost β living expenses run 33% lower than in Medellin. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making JaguariΓΊna the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Medellin or JaguariΓΊna?
On paper, JaguariΓΊna earns 92% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Medellin vs JaguariΓΊna?
Rent for a central apartment: $476 in Medellin versus $320 in JaguariΓΊna. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Medellin compared to JaguariΓΊna?
All in, you'll spend $1,013 per month in Medellin versus $760 in JaguariΓΊna β a 33% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Medellin vs JaguariΓΊna?
A monthly transit pass in JaguariΓΊna runs roughly 6% less than in Medellin. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Medellin or JaguariΓΊna?
At $760 in JaguariΓΊna versus $1,013 in Medellin, a $1,000 budget is realistic in JaguariΓΊna but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes JaguariΓΊna the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or JaguariΓΊna?
Both work as nomad bases, but JaguariΓΊna delivers better value β similar infrastructure at $760 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes JaguariΓΊna hard to pass up.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find JaguariΓΊna gentler on the wallet β expenses run 33% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.