😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,555 in Medellin versus $494 in Marsh Harbour.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,314 in Medellin versus $722 in Marsh Harbour.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,072 in Medellin versus $949 in Marsh Harbour.
🌍Living in Medellin is roughly 215% more expensive than in Marsh Harbour, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 15% above, Marsh Harbour is 63% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Marsh Harbour
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.59COP 24.3K
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.78COP 143.4K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.24COP 29.6K
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.95COP 9,441
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80COP 5,769
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35COP 4,322
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.93COP 9,394
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.46COP 17.5K
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Marsh Harbour
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.43COP 4,590
$8.28BSD 8.28
-82.73%
White Bread(500g)
$2.39COP 7,662
$5.50BSD 5.50
-56.55%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.60COP 5,127
$3.56BSD 3.56
-55.06%
Eggs
$2.88COP 9,217
$7.14BSD 7.14
-59.66%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.71COP 31.1K
$3.35BSD 3.35
189.85%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.44COP 30.2K
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.24COP 42.4K
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$3.75COP 12.0K
$7.64BSD 7.64
-50.92%
Banana(1kg)
$1.45COP 4,629
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$2.10COP 6,722
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$2.13COP 6,821
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.92COP 6,161
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.53COP 4,905
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.09COP 3,493
$7.13BSD 7.13
-84.71%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.18COP 3,783
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.79COP 12.1K
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$13.16COP 42.2K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.64COP 5,254
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28COP 7,294
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Marsh Harbour
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.18COP 3,765
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$73.6COP 235.8K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.28COP 4,091
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.98COP 6,333
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.89COP 25.3K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.29COP 4,145
$1.69BSD 1.69
-23.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.8KCOP 85.8M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7KCOP 111.1M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Marsh Harbour
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$158COP 505.5K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.39COP 42.9K
$34.57BSD 34.57
-61.27%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.28COP 87.4K
$118BSD 118
-76.84%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Marsh Harbour
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.15COP 141.4K
$80.8BSD 80.8
-45.38%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.99COP 51.2K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.39COP 20.5K
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Marsh Harbour
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$777COP 2.5M
$1,511BSD 1,511
-48.61%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,800COP 28.2M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Marsh Harbour
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$82.7COP 265.0K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.1COP 179.8K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$131COP 419.0K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$95.9COP 307.2K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Marsh Harbour
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,006COP 3.2M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$627COP 2.0M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,826COP 5.8M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$969COP 3.1M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,907COP 12.5M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,576COP 5.0M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Marsh Harbour
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$620COP 2.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.94
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: September 28, 2026
Last update for Marsh Harbour: September 29, 2026
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 Marsh Harbour: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Marsh Harbour?
Marsh Harbour wins on cost – living expenses run 215% lower than in Medellin. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Marsh Harbour the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Medellin and in Marsh Harbour?
You'd need roughly $2,333 in Medellin and $742 in Marsh Harbour to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How much does it cost to live in Medellin compared to Marsh Harbour?
All in, you'll spend $1,555 per month in Medellin versus $494 in Marsh Harbour – a 215% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Are groceries more expensive in Medellin or in Marsh Harbour?
Supermarket bills run roughly 11% higher in Medellin. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Medellin or in Marsh Harbour?
At $494 in Marsh Harbour versus $1,555 in Medellin, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Marsh Harbour but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Marsh Harbour the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Marsh Harbour?
Both work as nomad bases, but Marsh Harbour delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $494 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Marsh Harbour hard to pass up.
How safe is Medellin compared to Marsh Harbour?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Marsh Harbour 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Marsh Harbour gentler on the wallet – expenses run 215% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.