😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,687 in Medellin versus $485 in Marsh Harbour.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,535 in Medellin versus $736 in Marsh Harbour.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,383 in Medellin versus $986 in Marsh Harbour.
🌍Living in Medellin is roughly 248% more expensive than in Marsh Harbour, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 23% above, Marsh Harbour is 65% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Marsh Harbour
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.89COP 24.2K
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.53COP 136.5K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.29COP 28.5K
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.90COP 8,874
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.81COP 5,541
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.55COP 4,741
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.25COP 9,962
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.88COP 18.0K
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Marsh Harbour
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38COP 4,230
$8.48BSD 8.48
-83.73%
White Bread(500g)
$2.45COP 7,517
$5.45BSD 5.45
-55.05%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.51COP 4,617
$3.69BSD 3.69
-59.08%
Eggs
$2.78COP 8,516
$7.06BSD 7.06
-60.62%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.05COP 27.7K
$3.28BSD 3.28
175.91%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.65COP 32.6K
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.63COP 44.8K
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$3.97COP 12.2K
$7.83BSD 7.83
-49.30%
Banana(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,219
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$2.30COP 7,056
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$2.02COP 6,185
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$2.09COP 6,390
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.63COP 4,996
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.08COP 3,313
$7.04BSD 7.04
-84.66%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.25COP 3,843
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.03COP 12.4K
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$13.47COP 41.3K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.60COP 4,904
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00COP 9,189
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Marsh Harbour
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.18COP 3,611
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$79.9COP 244.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.61COP 4,920
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.13COP 6,533
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.52COP 26.1K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.35COP 4,142
$1.71BSD 1.71
-21.05%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.3KCOP 86.8M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.7KCOP 109.4M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Marsh Harbour
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$151COP 463.8K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.10COP 40.1K
$35.44BSD 35.44
-63.04%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.30COP 99.0K
$121BSD 121
-73.21%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Marsh Harbour
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$46.33COP 141.9K
$79.2BSD 79.2
-41.49%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.26COP 52.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.43COP 19.7K
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Marsh Harbour
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$835COP 2.6M
$1,477BSD 1,477
-43.48%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,887COP 27.2M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Marsh Harbour
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$89.3COP 273.7K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.3COP 169.5K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$137COP 418.5K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COP 335.1K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Marsh Harbour
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$952COP 2.9M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$668COP 2.0M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,020COP 6.2M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,148COP 3.5M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,696COP 11.3M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,586COP 4.9M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Marsh Harbour
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$625COP 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.43
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: August 17, 2026
Last update for Marsh Harbour: August 17, 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 248% 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 $2,530 in Medellin and $728 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 $1,687 per month in Medellin versus $485 in Marsh Harbour – a 248% 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 14% 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 $485 in Marsh Harbour versus $1,687 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 $485 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 248% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.