πA single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $919 in Muntinlupa, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $1,444 in Muntinlupa, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $1,970 in Muntinlupa, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 12% more than Muntinlupa, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Medellin and Muntinlupa are more affordable than the global median β Medellin23% lower, Muntinlupa31% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Muntinlupa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.4K
$4.67β±288
26.77%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COPΒ 118.2K
$27.00β±1,665
21.30%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COPΒ 26.0K
$3.11β±192
131.51%
Cappuccino
$1.70COPΒ 6,140
$2.63β±162
-35.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,966
$0.93β±57.4
18.28%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COPΒ 2,605
$0.46β±28.07
56.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COPΒ 6,022
$1.39β±85.9
20.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COPΒ 11.2K
$2.61β±161
18.77%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Muntinlupa
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,809
$1.89β±116
-43.92%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COPΒ 4,497
$1.24β±76.3
0.81%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COPΒ 5,022
$1.09β±67.0
27.52%
Eggs
$2.26COPΒ 8,168
$2.04β±126
10.78%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COPΒ 15.6K
$7.19β±443
-39.78%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COPΒ 21.1K
$4.67β±288
25.05%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COPΒ 31.9K
$7.70β±475
14.68%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COPΒ 8,099
$3.83β±236
-41.51%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COPΒ 3,882
$1.62β±100.0
-33.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COPΒ 5,522
$2.97β±183
-48.48%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,950
$2.38β±147
-42.44%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COPΒ 4,078
$2.78β±172
-59.35%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COPΒ 4,036
$3.08β±190
-63.64%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COPΒ 3,057
$1.98β±122
-57.07%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COPΒ 3,281
$1.02β±62.9
-10.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COPΒ 8,414
$3.25β±200
-28.31%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COPΒ 40.2K
$9.19β±567
21.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COPΒ 4,309
$1.55β±95.8
-23.23%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COPΒ 8,553
$2.03β±125
16.75%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Muntinlupa
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,838
$0.28β±17.27
182.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COPΒ 148.5K
$14.46β±892
184.44%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,184
$0.81β±50.0
77.78%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COPΒ 6,901
$0.24β±14.86
695.83%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COPΒ 28.9K
$2.09β±129
283.73%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COPΒ 3,385
$1.16β±71.3
-18.97%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOPΒ 64.7M
$25.9Kβ±1.6M
-30.93%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOPΒ 96.7M
$20.7Kβ±1.3M
29.19%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Muntinlupa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COPΒ 303.1K
$136β±8,392
-38.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COPΒ 34.7K
$21.93β±1,353
-56.22%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COPΒ 87.2K
$29.69β±1,831
-18.63%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Muntinlupa
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COPΒ 93.4K
$48.83β±3,012
-47.00%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COPΒ 68.7K
$4.38β±270
334.70%
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COPΒ 14.1K
$6.54β±404
-40.06%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Muntinlupa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COPΒ 1.1M
$113β±6,957
171.62%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COPΒ 21.4M
$4,528β±279.3K
30.71%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Muntinlupa
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COPΒ 209.1K
$45.98β±2,836
25.95%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COPΒ 114.9K
$34.65β±2,137
-8.17%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COPΒ 360.6K
$98.2β±6,056
1.75%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COPΒ 386.8K
$92.4β±5,700
15.93%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Muntinlupa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COPΒ 1.8M
$402β±24.8K
21.19%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COPΒ 1.3M
$210β±12.9K
75.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COPΒ 3.0M
$1,171β±72.3K
-29.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COPΒ 2.6M
$448β±27.6K
60.00%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COPΒ 10.6M
$2,310β±142.5K
26.65%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COPΒ 5.1M
$832β±51.3K
69.19%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Muntinlupa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COPΒ 2.0M
$641β±39.6K
-14.96%
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: April 27, 2026
Last update for Muntinlupa: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $487 in Medellin versus $402 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 18% 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 $27.00 in Muntinlupa. Groceries tell a different story β $190 in Medellin vs $229 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 Groceries & Markets. 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 $1,378 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 $1,034 in Medellin and $919 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 $919, than in Medellin at $1,034. 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.