🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,003 in Medellin versus $2,541 in Maple Ridge.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,573 in Medellin versus $3,740 in Maple Ridge.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,143 in Medellin versus $4,940 in Maple Ridge.
🌍Living in Medellin costs roughly 61% less than in Maple Ridge, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 25% below, Maple Ridge is 91% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Maple Ridge
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.91COP 18.9K
$18.63CA$26.15
-68.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.96COP 105.2K
$66.3CA$93.1
-50.31%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.43COP 23.7K
$12.17CA$17.08
-38.95%
Cappuccino
$1.65COP 5,276
$3.32CA$4.66
-50.30%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,514
$1.81CA$2.54
-39.23%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COP 2,491
$1.50CA$2.11
-48.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,484
$5.57CA$7.81
-69.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COP 10.1K
$4.44CA$6.23
-28.38%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Maple Ridge
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10COP 3,521
$2.75CA$3.87
-60.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COP 4,015
$2.31CA$3.25
-45.45%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,407
$3.61CA$5.07
-61.77%
Eggs
$2.18COP 6,950
$3.29CA$4.62
-33.74%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.49COP 14.3K
$13.01CA$18.26
-65.49%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.79COP 18.5K
$12.13CA$17.02
-52.27%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COP 28.6K
$14.13CA$19.84
-36.52%
Apples(1kg)
$2.32COP 7,405
$2.76CA$3.87
-15.94%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COP 3,397
$2.03CA$2.85
-47.78%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COP 4,838
$3.93CA$5.51
-61.32%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COP 4,327
$4.61CA$6.47
-70.50%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,599
$3.58CA$5.03
-68.44%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,738
$2.68CA$3.76
-56.34%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90COP 2,876
$2.67CA$3.75
-66.29%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COP 2,861
$2.17CA$3.05
-58.53%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.23COP 7,128
$14.88CA$20.88
-85.01%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.12COP 38.7K
$12.70CA$17.82
-4.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 3,793
$3.75CA$5.27
-68.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COP 7,920
$4.21CA$5.90
-41.09%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Maple Ridge
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.85COP 2,723
$2.20CA$3.09
-61.36%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.62COP 132.8K
$98.0CA$138
-57.53%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COP 4,518
$5.02CA$7.05
-71.71%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.95COP 6,223
$1.50CA$2.10
30.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.89COP 25.2K
$21.68CA$30.42
-63.61%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,160
$1.35CA$1.89
-26.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOP 56.2M
$25.3KCA$35.5K
-30.39%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 85.5M
$20.6KCA$28.9K
30.16%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Maple Ridge
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.0COP 264.9K
$247CA$346
-66.34%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.70COP 30.9K
$58.8CA$82.5
-83.50%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.52COP 75.0K
$121CA$170
-80.63%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Maple Ridge
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.26COP 80.6K
$34.87CA$48.95
-27.56%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.10COP 60.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.95COP 12.6K
$10.84CA$15.22
-63.56%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Maple Ridge
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$316COP 1.0M
$578CA$811
-45.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,975COP 19.1M
$11.6KCA$16.2K
-48.30%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Maple Ridge
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0COP 191.4K
$55.3CA$77.7
8.44%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 101.5K
$45.95CA$64.5
-30.75%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102COP 324.4K
$102CA$143
0.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 342.8K
$141CA$198
-23.76%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Maple Ridge
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$475COP 1.5M
$1,423CA$1,998
-66.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$374COP 1.2M
$1,075CA$1,509
-65.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$849COP 2.7M
$1,910CA$2,681
-55.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$719COP 2.3M
$2,024CA$2,840
-64.45%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,265COP 10.4M
$5,750CA$8,071
-43.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,441COP 4.6M
$3,517CA$4,937
-59.04%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Maple Ridge
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$624COP 2.0M
$2,973CA$4,173
-79.00%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.96
125.34%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Last update for Maple Ridge: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $475 in Medellin and $1,423 in Maple Ridge. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Maple Ridge pays 376% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $66.0 in Maple Ridge for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $193 vs $391 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 Maple Ridge: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maple Ridge cheaper than Medellin?
Medellin is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 153% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Medellin or Maple Ridge?
On paper, salaries run 376% lower in Maple Ridge. 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 Maple Ridge?
Rent for a central apartment: $475 in Medellin versus $1,423 in Maple Ridge. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and in Maple Ridge?
Supermarket bills run roughly 102% higher in Maple Ridge. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or in Maple Ridge?
Dining out is cheaper in Medellin – a meal for two runs $33.00 versus $66.0 in Maple Ridge. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Maple Ridge?
At $1,003 in Medellin versus $2,541 in Maple Ridge, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Maple Ridge. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or Maple Ridge more family-friendly?
For families, Medellin is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Maple Ridge, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Maple Ridge?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Maple Ridge 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 – expenses run 153% less than in Maple Ridge. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.