๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,014 in Medellin versus $2,542 in Labrador City.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,596 in Medellin versus $3,624 in Labrador City.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,178 in Medellin versus $4,706 in Labrador City.
๐Living in Medellin costs roughly 60% less than in Labrador City, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐The two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 25% below, Labrador City is 89% above.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Medellin
Labrador City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPย 21.3K
$32.23CA$44.16
-81.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.17COPย 119.5K
$73.1CA$100
-54.62%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.25COPย 26.1K
$13.40CA$18.36
-45.90%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPย 6,176
$3.88CA$5.32
-55.93%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPย 3,940
$4.11CA$5.63
-73.48%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77COPย 2,760
$2.29CA$3.13
-66.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.75COPย 6,294
$5.61CA$7.69
-68.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COPย 11.5K
$5.96CA$8.16
-46.64%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Labrador City
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPย 3,816
$2.12CA$2.90
-50.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.30COPย 4,687
$2.71CA$3.71
-52.03%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPย 4,958
$3.50CA$4.80
-60.57%
Eggs
$2.21COPย 7,958
$2.94CA$4.03
-24.83%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.52COPย 16.3K
$11.24CA$15.40
-59.79%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.80COPย 20.9K
$11.69CA$16.02
-50.38%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COPย 32.3K
$14.98CA$20.52
-40.12%
Apples(1kg)
$2.29COPย 8,235
$4.13CA$5.66
-44.55%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPย 3,815
$1.37CA$1.88
-22.63%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.51COPย 5,446
$3.61CA$4.94
-58.17%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COPย 4,900
$3.68CA$5.04
-63.04%
Potato(1kg)
$1.16COPย 4,172
$2.49CA$3.42
-53.41%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPย 4,201
$2.47CA$3.38
-52.63%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.83COPย 2,979
$2.55CA$3.49
-67.45%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85COPย 3,063
$1.77CA$2.42
-51.98%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.35COPย 8,477
$14.25CA$19.52
-83.51%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.09COPย 39.9K
$13.68CA$18.75
-18.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.15COPย 4,159
$2.80CA$3.84
-58.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPย 8,910
$3.17CA$4.34
-22.08%
๐ Getting Around
Medellin
Labrador City
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPย 2,845
$2.35CA$3.22
-66.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.85COPย 150.7K
$63.2CA$86.5
-33.74%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPย 5,173
$3.13CA$4.29
-53.99%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPย 6,836
$1.43CA$1.97
32.87%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.70COPย 27.7K
$25.99CA$35.61
-70.37%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.03COPย 3,704
$1.13CA$1.54
-8.85%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.7KCOPย 63.7M
$25.1KCA$34.4K
-29.63%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.0KCOPย 97.3M
$20.6KCA$28.2K
31.38%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Labrador City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.4COPย 293.2K
$141CA$193
-42.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.42COPย 33.9K
$44.05CA$60.4
-78.62%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.77COPย 85.6K
$97.2CA$133
-75.54%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Labrador City
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.86COPย 93.2K
$41.14CA$56.4
-37.14%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.34COPย 69.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.05COPย 14.6K
$11.40CA$15.62
-64.47%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Labrador City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPย 1.1M
$732CA$1,003
-57.32%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,067COPย 21.9M
$11.6KCA$15.9K
-47.70%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Labrador City
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.9COPย 212.0K
$55.1CA$75.4
6.88%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.82COPย 118.2K
$40.28CA$55.2
-18.52%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$100COPย 361.9K
$85.1CA$117
18.10%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106COPย 382.8K
$108CA$148
-1.49%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Labrador City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$490COPย 1.8M
$1,334CA$1,827
-63.30%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$371COPย 1.3M
$1,167CA$1,599
-68.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPย 3.0M
$2,042CA$2,797
-58.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$715COPย 2.6M
$1,827CA$2,504
-60.88%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,952COPย 10.6M
$4,596CA$6,297
-35.77%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,394COPย 5.0M
$3,944CA$5,404
-64.66%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Labrador City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$532COPย 1.9M
$3,490CA$4,781
-84.75%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.39
110.17%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 20, 2026
Last update for Labrador City: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $474 in Medellin and $1,334 in Labrador City. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐ฐLabrador City pays 544% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
๐Dining out: $33 in Medellin vs $73 in Labrador City for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $364 per month, with Medellin 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 Labrador City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Labrador City cheaper than Medellin?
Medellin is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 151% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Medellin or Labrador City?
On paper, Labrador City earns 544% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Medellin and Labrador City?
Rent for a central apartment: $474 in Medellin versus $1,334 in Labrador City. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or Labrador City?
Dining out is cheaper in Medellin โ a meal for two runs $33.00 versus $73.0 in Labrador City. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Labrador City?
All in, you'll spend $1,014 per month in Medellin versus $2,542 in Labrador City โ a 151% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Labrador City?
At $1,014 in Medellin versus $2,542 in Labrador City, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Labrador City. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or Labrador City more family-friendly?
For families, Medellin is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Labrador City, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Labrador City?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Labrador City are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 151% less than in Labrador City. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.