πA single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $1,215 in Permet, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $1,859 in Permet, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $2,503 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 Medellin23% lower, Permet9% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Permet
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.4K
$11.58ALLΒ 945
-48.88%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COPΒ 118.2K
$58.7ALLΒ 4,790
-44.18%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COPΒ 26.0K
$9.49ALLΒ 775
-24.13%
Cappuccino
$1.70COPΒ 6,140
$1.97ALLΒ 161
-13.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,966
$1.87ALLΒ 153
-41.18%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COPΒ 2,605
$0.93ALLΒ 75.6
-22.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COPΒ 6,022
$2.97ALLΒ 243
-43.77%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COPΒ 11.2K
$4.20ALLΒ 343
-26.19%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Permet
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,809
$2.13ALLΒ 174
-50.23%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COPΒ 4,497
$1.12ALLΒ 91.7
11.61%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COPΒ 5,022
$2.24ALLΒ 183
-37.95%
Eggs
$2.26COPΒ 8,168
$3.79ALLΒ 309
-40.37%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COPΒ 15.6K
$13.26ALLΒ 1,082
-67.35%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COPΒ 21.1K
$7.55ALLΒ 616
-22.65%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COPΒ 31.9K
$15.66ALLΒ 1,279
-43.61%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COPΒ 8,099
$1.78ALLΒ 145
25.84%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COPΒ 3,882
$2.65ALLΒ 216
-59.25%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COPΒ 5,522
$1.98ALLΒ 162
-22.73%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,950
$1.91ALLΒ 156
-28.27%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COPΒ 4,078
$1.38ALLΒ 112
-18.12%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COPΒ 4,036
$1.32ALLΒ 108
-15.15%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COPΒ 3,057
$1.50ALLΒ 123
-43.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COPΒ 3,281
$0.80ALLΒ 65.6
13.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COPΒ 8,414
$4.22ALLΒ 344
-44.79%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COPΒ 40.2K
$10.55ALLΒ 861
5.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COPΒ 4,309
$1.59ALLΒ 130
-25.16%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COPΒ 8,553
$2.16ALLΒ 176
9.72%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Permet
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,838
$0.45ALLΒ 37.08
75.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COPΒ 148.5K
$18.97ALLΒ 1,549
116.82%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,184
$3.48ALLΒ 284
-58.62%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COPΒ 6,901
$3.10ALLΒ 253
-38.39%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COPΒ 28.9K
$17.96ALLΒ 1,466
-55.35%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COPΒ 3,385
$2.08ALLΒ 170
-54.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOPΒ 64.7M
$40.2KALLΒ 3.3M
-55.45%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOPΒ 96.7M
$35.0KALLΒ 2.9M
-23.50%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Permet
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COPΒ 303.1K
$109ALLΒ 8,907
-23.04%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COPΒ 34.7K
$17.64ALLΒ 1,441
-45.58%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COPΒ 87.2K
$18.78ALLΒ 1,533
28.65%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Permet
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COPΒ 93.4K
$54.1ALLΒ 4,416
-52.14%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COPΒ 68.7K
$24.90ALLΒ 2,033
-23.53%
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COPΒ 14.1K
$9.66ALLΒ 789
-59.42%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Permet
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COPΒ 1.1M
$156ALLΒ 12.8K
96.02%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COPΒ 21.4M
$5,516ALLΒ 450.4K
7.30%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Permet
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COPΒ 209.1K
$68.4ALLΒ 5,584
-15.32%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COPΒ 114.9K
$50.1ALLΒ 4,093
-36.53%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COPΒ 360.6K
$106ALLΒ 8,616
-5.33%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COPΒ 386.8K
$127ALLΒ 10.3K
-15.39%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Permet
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COPΒ 1.8M
$454ALLΒ 37.0K
7.31%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COPΒ 1.3M
$337ALLΒ 27.5K
9.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COPΒ 3.0M
$610ALLΒ 49.8K
35.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COPΒ 2.6M
$430ALLΒ 35.1K
66.41%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COPΒ 10.6M
$1,727ALLΒ 141.0K
69.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COPΒ 5.1M
$1,396ALLΒ 114.0K
0.77%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Permet
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COPΒ 2.0M
-
-
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: April 27, 2026
Last update for Permet: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $487 in Medellin versus $454 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 $59.0 in Permet. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $279 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 $1,550 per month in Medellin and $1,823 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 $1,034 in Medellin and $1,215 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 $1,034, than in Permet at $1,215. 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.