πA single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $1,060 in Miraflores, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $1,177 in Miraflores, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $1,294 in Miraflores, rent included.
πMedellin is about 2% cheaper than Miraflores, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Miraflores are more affordable than the global median β Medellin23% lower, Miraflores21% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Miraflores
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.4K
$4.08PENΒ 14.35
45.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COPΒ 118.2K
$32.68PENΒ 115
0.21%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COPΒ 26.0K
$5.14PENΒ 18.08
40.08%
Cappuccino
$1.70COPΒ 6,140
$2.65PENΒ 9.34
-35.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,966
$0.97PENΒ 3.41
13.40%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COPΒ 2,605
$0.64PENΒ 2.26
12.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COPΒ 6,022
$2.15PENΒ 7.58
-22.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COPΒ 11.2K
$3.99PENΒ 14.04
-22.31%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Miraflores
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,809
$1.28PENΒ 4.49
-17.19%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COPΒ 4,497
$1.09PENΒ 3.83
14.68%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COPΒ 5,022
$1.36PENΒ 4.78
2.21%
Eggs
$2.26COPΒ 8,168
$2.95PENΒ 10.37
-23.39%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COPΒ 15.6K
$7.92PENΒ 27.89
-45.33%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COPΒ 21.1K
$5.73PENΒ 20.19
1.92%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COPΒ 31.9K
$8.65PENΒ 30.44
2.08%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COPΒ 8,099
$1.97PENΒ 6.92
13.71%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COPΒ 3,882
$1.09PENΒ 3.83
-0.92%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COPΒ 5,522
$1.10PENΒ 3.87
39.09%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,950
$1.14PENΒ 4.00
20.18%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COPΒ 4,078
$0.99PENΒ 3.49
14.14%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COPΒ 4,036
$0.85PENΒ 2.99
31.76%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COPΒ 3,057
$0.81PENΒ 2.86
4.94%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COPΒ 3,281
$0.57PENΒ 2.01
59.65%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COPΒ 8,414
$5.44PENΒ 19.16
-57.17%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COPΒ 40.2K
$8.83PENΒ 31.08
26.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COPΒ 4,309
$1.69PENΒ 5.96
-29.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COPΒ 8,553
$2.75PENΒ 9.67
-13.82%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Miraflores
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,838
$0.27PENΒ 0.95
192.59%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COPΒ 148.5K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,184
$3.36PENΒ 11.82
-57.14%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COPΒ 6,901
$2.11PENΒ 7.44
-9.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COPΒ 28.9K
$8.40PENΒ 29.56
-4.52%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COPΒ 3,385
$1.22PENΒ 4.30
-22.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOPΒ 64.7M
$19.8KPENΒ 69.6K
-9.40%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOPΒ 96.7M
$24.0KPENΒ 84.6K
11.43%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Miraflores
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COPΒ 303.1K
$55.8PENΒ 197
50.36%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COPΒ 34.7K
$8.20PENΒ 28.87
17.07%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COPΒ 87.2K
$24.14PENΒ 85.0
0.08%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Miraflores
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COPΒ 93.4K
$32.80PENΒ 115
-21.10%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COPΒ 68.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COPΒ 14.1K
$7.08PENΒ 24.94
-44.63%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Miraflores
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COPΒ 1.1M
$216PENΒ 761
41.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COPΒ 21.4M
$7,947PENΒ 28.0K
-25.53%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Miraflores
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COPΒ 209.1K
$49.48PENΒ 174
17.04%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COPΒ 114.9K
$35.70PENΒ 126
-10.87%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COPΒ 360.6K
$89.3PENΒ 314
11.93%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COPΒ 386.8K
$83.8PENΒ 295
27.93%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Miraflores
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COPΒ 1.8M
$659PENΒ 2,320
-26.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COPΒ 1.3M
$495PENΒ 1,744
-25.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COPΒ 3.0M
$1,585PENΒ 5,579
-47.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COPΒ 2.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COPΒ 10.6M
$2,483PENΒ 8,739
17.83%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COPΒ 5.1M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Miraflores
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COPΒ 2.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
10.11
32.84%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026
Last update for Miraflores: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $487 in Medellin versus $659 in Miraflores. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $33.00 in Miraflores. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $192 β 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 Miraflores: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Miraflores cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Miraflores is pricier by about 3%, and the gap shows up most in Getting Around. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,550 per month in Medellin and $1,589 in Miraflores. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
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 food prices compare in Medellin and Miraflores?
Groceries cost about 1% more in Miraflores, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Miraflores?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,034, than in Miraflores at $1,060. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Miraflores it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Miraflores more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Medellin β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Miraflores?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Miraflores makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.