πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $909 in Muntinlupa, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,417 in Muntinlupa, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $1,926 in Muntinlupa, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 12% more than Muntinlupa, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Muntinlupa are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Muntinlupa32% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Muntinlupa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$4.90β±297
21.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$26.13β±1,587
27.55%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$3.14β±191
130.25%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$2.72β±165
-40.07%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.94β±57.0
15.96%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.42β±25.45
73.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$1.39β±84.2
25.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$2.63β±160
22.81%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Muntinlupa
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.90β±115
-44.74%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$1.23β±74.7
4.88%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.03β±62.7
28.16%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$1.99β±121
14.07%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$7.11β±432
-38.82%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$4.79β±291
22.76%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$7.33β±445
17.46%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$4.05β±246
-44.44%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.55β±94.3
-30.97%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$2.99β±182
-49.16%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$2.43β±148
-41.56%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$2.71β±165
-56.83%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$3.07β±186
-61.89%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$1.96β±119
-54.59%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$1.05β±64.0
-14.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$3.28β±199
-31.40%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$8.77β±533
25.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.48β±90.0
-22.97%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.04β±124
16.67%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Muntinlupa
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.26β±15.75
223.08%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$14.10β±856
197.52%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$0.83β±50.7
69.88%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.22β±13.27
763.64%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$2.10β±127
269.05%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.15β±69.7
-12.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$25.5Kβ±1.5M
-30.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$20.3Kβ±1.2M
30.80%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Muntinlupa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$136β±8,279
-38.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$21.69β±1,317
-56.43%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$29.90β±1,816
-19.36%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Muntinlupa
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$49.77β±3,022
-49.15%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$4.49β±273
326.28%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$6.92β±420
-40.75%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Muntinlupa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$115β±7,012
170.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$4,576β±277.9K
30.96%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Muntinlupa
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$46.20β±2,805
25.63%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$34.74β±2,110
-6.28%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$96.5β±5,861
3.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$93.1β±5,654
16.56%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Muntinlupa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$395β±24.0K
21.98%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$208β±12.6K
82.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$1,135β±68.9K
-26.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$436β±26.5K
65.92%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$2,387β±144.9K
18.99%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$1,026β±62.3K
19.15%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Muntinlupa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$634β±38.5K
-14.69%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
7.52
78.59%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Muntinlupa: June 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $395 in Muntinlupa. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 17% higher in Muntinlupa, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $26.00 in Muntinlupa. Groceries tell a different story β $190 in Medellin vs $228 in Muntinlupa β so Medellin wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Muntinlupa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Muntinlupa cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 12%, 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 $1,525 per month in Medellin and $1,363 in Muntinlupa. 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 Muntinlupa, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Muntinlupa?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $909 in Muntinlupa. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for Medellin or Muntinlupa?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Muntinlupa, where all-in costs run around $909, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Muntinlupa it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Muntinlupa more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Muntinlupa 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 Muntinlupa?
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 Muntinlupa. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Medellin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.