Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Paradise Island Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Paradise Island

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.02 COP 25.6K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$47.87 COP 152.9K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.89 COP 31.6K

Cappuccino

$3.13 COP 9,998

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.91 COP 6,095

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.51 COP 4,823

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.12 COP 9,977

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.75 COP 18.4K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.44 COP 4,616

White Bread (500g)

$2.49 COP 7,943

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.77 COP 5,665

Eggs

$2.96 COP 9,454

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.07 COP 32.2K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.12 COP 32.3K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.30 COP 45.7K

Apples (1kg)

$4.14 COP 13.2K

Banana (1kg)

$1.61 COP 5,138

Oranges (1kg)

$2.25 COP 7,172

Tomato (1kg)

$2.25 COP 7,194

Potato (1kg)

$2.04 COP 6,526

Onion (1kg)

$1.54 COP 4,903

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.17 COP 3,737

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.31 COP 4,173

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.90 COP 12.4K

Wine (Bottle)

$14.01 COP 44.8K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.74 COP 5,567

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.87 COP 9,168

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.22 COP 3,882

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$80.5 COP 257.1K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.31 COP 4,181

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.19 COP 6,987

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.71 COP 27.8K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.37 COP 4,360

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$27.8K COP 88.9M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$35.8K COP 114.3M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$177 COP 566.3K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$13.88 COP 44.3K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.72 COP 94.9K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.88 COP 143.4K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.12 COP 54.7K

Cinema Ticket

$6.65 COP 21.2K

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$813 COP 2.6M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,187 COP 29.3M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$89.5 COP 285.9K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$59.0 COP 188.4K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$138 COP 441.4K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$102 COP 326.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,062 COP 3.4M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$663 COP 2.1M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,888 COP 6.0M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,027 COP 3.3M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,183 COP 13.4M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,675 COP 5.3M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$678 COP 2.2M

$2,508 BSD 2,508

-72.97%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.94

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Medellin: September 14, 2026

Last update for Paradise Island: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 270% higher in Paradise Island. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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 Paradise Island: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Salaries in Paradise Island run about 270% lower, which matters when comparing the full picture. But lower pay doesn't always mean worse – if living costs drop proportionally, your purchasing power may stay the same or even improve.

Families tend to lean toward Paradise Island – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Paradise Island. 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.