πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $1,201 in Permet, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,851 in Permet, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $2,502 in Permet, rent included.
πMedellin is about 15% cheaper than Permet, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Medellin and Permet are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Permet11% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Permet
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$11.96ALLΒ 977
-50.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$59.7ALLΒ 4,877
-44.17%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$9.58ALLΒ 783
-24.53%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$1.95ALLΒ 160
-16.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$1.84ALLΒ 150
-40.76%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.99ALLΒ 80.5
-26.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$3.01ALLΒ 246
-42.19%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$4.14ALLΒ 338
-21.98%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Permet
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$2.13ALLΒ 174
-50.70%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$1.08ALLΒ 88.6
19.44%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$2.19ALLΒ 179
-39.73%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$3.85ALLΒ 314
-41.04%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$12.86ALLΒ 1,051
-66.17%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$7.87ALLΒ 643
-25.29%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$15.95ALLΒ 1,303
-46.02%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.72ALLΒ 141
30.81%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$2.74ALLΒ 224
-60.95%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.97ALLΒ 161
-22.84%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$1.91ALLΒ 156
-25.65%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.32ALLΒ 108
-11.36%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$1.28ALLΒ 104
-8.59%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$1.47ALLΒ 120
-39.46%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.79ALLΒ 64.9
13.92%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$4.28ALLΒ 349
-47.43%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$10.89ALLΒ 889
1.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.60ALLΒ 130
-28.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.07ALLΒ 169
14.98%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Permet
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.45ALLΒ 36.56
86.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$18.55ALLΒ 1,516
126.15%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$3.59ALLΒ 293
-60.72%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$3.15ALLΒ 258
-39.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$17.98ALLΒ 1,469
-56.90%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$2.08ALLΒ 170
-51.44%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$39.9KALLΒ 3.3M
-55.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$35.1KALLΒ 2.9M
-24.42%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Permet
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$106ALLΒ 8,651
-20.97%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$17.72ALLΒ 1,447
-46.67%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$18.36ALLΒ 1,500
31.32%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Permet
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$54.7ALLΒ 4,472
-53.75%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$25.44ALLΒ 2,078
-24.76%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$9.34ALLΒ 763
-56.10%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Permet
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$161ALLΒ 13.1K
94.28%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$5,569ALLΒ 455.0K
7.62%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Permet
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$68.6ALLΒ 5,601
-15.33%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$51.3ALLΒ 4,189
-36.49%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$107ALLΒ 8,764
-7.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$131ALLΒ 10.7K
-17.34%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Permet
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$446ALLΒ 36.4K
8.13%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$343ALLΒ 28.0K
10.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$615ALLΒ 50.2K
36.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$426ALLΒ 34.8K
69.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$2,029ALLΒ 165.7K
39.99%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$1,124ALLΒ 91.8K
8.85%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Permet
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.52
143.30%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Permet: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $446 in Permet. 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 $60.0 in Permet. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $280 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 Permet: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Permet cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Permet is pricier by about 18%, 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 $1,525 per month in Medellin and $1,801 in Permet. 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 Permet?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $1,201 in Permet. 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 Permet?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,017, than in Permet at $1,201. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Permet it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Permet 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 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, Permet makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.