Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and PacovCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Pacov
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $1,733 in Pacov, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $2,483 in Pacov, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $3,234 in Pacov, rent included.
πMedellin is about 42% cheaper than Pacov, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πMedellin sits 24% below the global median, while Pacov is 29% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Pacov
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$9.22KΔΒ 192
-35.03%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.2K
$43.94KΔΒ 916
-25.22%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$12.67KΔΒ 264
-44.04%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,105
$2.93KΔΒ 61.1
-41.64%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,918
$2.82KΔΒ 58.8
-60.99%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,776
$1.44KΔΒ 30.05
-45.83%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,987
$1.36KΔΒ 28.35
23.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$5.18KΔΒ 108
-40.73%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Pacov
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,899
$1.60KΔΒ 33.29
-31.87%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,500
$1.40KΔΒ 29.24
-10.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,914
$3.08KΔΒ 64.2
-55.19%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,813
$5.45KΔΒ 114
-59.82%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$12.77KΔΒ 266
-65.54%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$9.26KΔΒ 193
-39.20%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.7K
$21.67KΔΒ 452
-58.98%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,334
$1.44KΔΒ 29.96
62.50%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,771
$2.65KΔΒ 55.3
-60.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,365
$3.75KΔΒ 78.3
-60.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,915
$3.52KΔΒ 73.4
-60.80%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,104
$1.25KΔΒ 26.15
-8.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,148
$2.08KΔΒ 43.39
-44.23%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,176
$1.26KΔΒ 26.29
-29.37%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,992
$0.81KΔΒ 16.92
3.70%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,131
$3.84KΔΒ 80.0
-40.63%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$7.10KΔΒ 148
49.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,276
$0.81KΔΒ 16.82
48.15%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,809
$1.85KΔΒ 38.54
33.51%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Pacov
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,051
$1.19KΔΒ 24.75
-27.73%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.6K
$26.01KΔΒ 542
59.17%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,255
$2.26KΔΒ 47.22
-34.96%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,997
$0.79KΔΒ 16.46
148.10%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$27.56KΔΒ 575
-71.92%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,403
$1.68KΔΒ 35.10
-43.45%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.6M
$27.8KKΔΒ 578.6K
-34.67%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.4M
$29.9KKΔΒ 623.7K
-11.47%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Pacov
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.2K
$299KΔΒ 6,232
-72.48%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$26.60KΔΒ 555
-64.29%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.4K
$20.61KΔΒ 430
17.56%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Pacov
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.3K
$99.4KΔΒ 2,072
-73.95%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.7K
$17.15KΔΒ 358
10.79%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$13.87KΔΒ 289
-71.67%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Pacov
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$412KΔΒ 8,581
-24.83%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$10.2KKΔΒ 211.6K
-41.23%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Pacov
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.1K
$119KΔΒ 2,479
-50.68%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.3K
$37.43KΔΒ 780
-13.57%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.7K
$94.5KΔΒ 1,971
8.53%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 386.5K
$113KΔΒ 2,358
-4.14%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Pacov
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$665KΔΒ 13.9K
-28.41%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$555KΔΒ 11.6K
-31.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$1,173KΔΒ 24.5K
-28.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$858KΔΒ 17.9K
-15.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
$4,713KΔΒ 98.3K
-40.79%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$4,757KΔΒ 99.2K
-74.54%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Pacov
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$1,150KΔΒ 24.0K
-55.48%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
7.85
71.08%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Pacov: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $665 in Pacov. 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 125% higher in Pacov, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $44.00 in Pacov. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $314 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 Pacov: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pacov cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Pacov is pricier by about 71%, 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 $1,519 per month in Medellin and $2,599 in Pacov. 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.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Pacov?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $1,733 in Pacov. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Pacov?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,013, than in Pacov at $1,733. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Pacov it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Pacov 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 Pacov?
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, Pacov makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.