Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and La Chaux-de-Fonds Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and La Chaux-de-Fonds

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,641 per month in Medellin vs $3,063 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,447 per month in Medellin vs $4,852 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,253 per month in Medellin vs $6,641 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, rent included.

Medellin is about 46% cheaper than La Chaux-de-Fonds, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Medellin and La Chaux-de-Fonds sit above the global median – Medellin by 19%, La Chaux-de-Fonds by 122%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
La Chaux-de-Fonds
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.04 COP 24.8K
$24.87 CHF 20.31
-67.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.29 COP 148.7K
$85.2 CHF 69.6
-43.30%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.42 COP 29.0K
$18.84 CHF 15.39
-50.00%
Cappuccino
$2.94 COP 9,045
$4.72 CHF 3.86
-37.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 COP 5,738
$3.74 CHF 3.06
-50.27%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.46 COP 4,481
$4.73 CHF 3.87
-69.13%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.21 COP 9,887
$7.39 CHF 6.04
-56.56%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.71 COP 17.6K
$6.05 CHF 4.94
-5.62%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
La Chaux-de-Fonds
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.44 COP 4,431
$2.26 CHF 1.85
-36.28%
White Bread (500g)
$2.40 COP 7,393
$3.21 CHF 2.62
-25.23%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.70 COP 5,230
$3.26 CHF 2.66
-47.85%
Eggs
$2.89 COP 8,901
$7.97 CHF 6.51
-63.74%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.06 COP 31.0K
$26.29 CHF 21.47
-61.73%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.97 COP 30.7K
$27.42 CHF 22.39
-63.64%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.20 COP 43.7K
$42.24 CHF 34.50
-66.38%
Apples (1kg)
$3.98 COP 12.3K
$3.58 CHF 2.92
11.17%
Banana (1kg)
$1.58 COP 4,880
$2.32 CHF 1.89
-31.90%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.15 COP 6,627
$3.02 CHF 2.47
-28.81%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.30 COP 7,082
$4.82 CHF 3.93
-52.28%
Potato (1kg)
$2.00 COP 6,172
$1.76 CHF 1.44
13.64%
Onion (1kg)
$1.51 COP 4,648
$2.03 CHF 1.66
-25.62%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.20 COP 3,703
$2.30 CHF 1.88
-47.83%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.28 COP 3,948
$1.65 CHF 1.34
-22.42%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.84 COP 11.8K
$11.24 CHF 9.18
-65.84%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.01 COP 43.1K
$12.13 CHF 9.90
15.50%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71 COP 5,259
$2.49 CHF 2.03
-31.33%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.74 COP 8,444
$3.04 CHF 2.48
-9.87%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
La Chaux-de-Fonds
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.25 COP 3,836
$4.40 CHF 3.59
-71.59%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$77.9 COP 239.9K
$100.0 CHF 81.6
-22.08%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.31 COP 4,018
$8.14 CHF 6.64
-83.91%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.17 COP 6,684
$4.80 CHF 3.92
-54.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.29 COP 25.5K
$86.9 CHF 71.0
-90.46%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.36 COP 4,174
$2.26 CHF 1.85
-39.82%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.5K COP 84.6M
$44.7K CHF 36.5K
-38.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.5K COP 112.5M
$40.3K CHF 32.9K
-9.37%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
La Chaux-de-Fonds
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$169 COP 519.5K
$298 CHF 244
-43.46%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.57 COP 41.8K
$54.2 CHF 44.25
-74.96%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.32 COP 87.2K
$66.1 CHF 54.0
-57.15%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
La Chaux-de-Fonds
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.71 COP 140.8K
$76.4 CHF 62.4
-40.14%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.22 COP 53.0K
$44.09 CHF 36.00
-60.94%
Cinema Ticket
$6.65 COP 20.5K
$23.35 CHF 19.07
-71.52%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
La Chaux-de-Fonds
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$803 COP 2.5M
$2,984 CHF 2,437
-73.08%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,190 COP 28.3M
$20.6K CHF 16.8K
-55.40%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
La Chaux-de-Fonds
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$87.4 COP 269.0K
$146 CHF 119
-40.26%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.4 COP 182.8K
$80.7 CHF 65.9
-26.46%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$139 COP 427.7K
$166 CHF 136
-16.29%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$102 COP 314.2K
$204 CHF 167
-50.06%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
La Chaux-de-Fonds
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,071 COP 3.3M
$1,483 CHF 1,211
-27.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$653 COP 2.0M
$1,105 CHF 902
-40.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,925 COP 5.9M
$4,017 CHF 3,280
-52.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,048 COP 3.2M
$2,413 CHF 1,970
-56.57%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,123 COP 12.7M
$17.0K CHF 13.9K
-75.82%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,697 COP 5.2M
$11.5K CHF 9,350
-85.18%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
La Chaux-de-Fonds
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$655 COP 2.0M
$5,259 CHF 4,294
-87.54%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
2.43
350.21%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Medellin: September 7, 2026

Last update for La Chaux-de-Fonds: September 5, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,071 in Medellin versus $1,483 in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 703% higher in La Chaux-de-Fonds, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $48.00 in Medellin versus $85.0 in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $300 vs $591 – 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 La Chaux-de-Fonds: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or La Chaux-de-Fonds?
La Chaux-de-Fonds costs about 87% more than Medellin, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Medellin and in La Chaux-de-Fonds?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,462 per month in Medellin and $4,595 in La Chaux-de-Fonds. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Medellin or La Chaux-de-Fonds?
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.
How do dining costs compare in Medellin and in La Chaux-de-Fonds?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $48.00 in Medellin and $85.0 in La Chaux-de-Fonds. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Medellin compared to La Chaux-de-Fonds?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,641 in Medellin and $3,063 in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Can you live on $2,500/month in Medellin or in La Chaux-de-Fonds?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,641, than in La Chaux-de-Fonds at $3,063. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in La Chaux-de-Fonds it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or La Chaux-de-Fonds?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Medellin costs $1,641 versus $3,063 in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Medellin compared to La Chaux-de-Fonds?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Medellin or to La Chaux-de-Fonds?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, La Chaux-de-Fonds makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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