πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $656 in Polomolok, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,043 in Polomolok, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $1,431 in Polomolok, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 54% more than Polomolok, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and Polomolok are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Polomolok51% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Polomolok
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$1.78β±110
236.52%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$13.54β±835
142.69%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$2.26β±140
213.72%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$2.05β±127
-16.59%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$0.46β±28.30
139.13%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.49β±30.10
59.18%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$1.13β±69.4
48.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$1.62β±100.0
89.51%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Polomolok
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$1.74β±107
-37.36%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$0.98β±60.6
28.57%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$0.74β±45.67
86.49%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$2.06β±127
6.31%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$5.89β±363
-25.30%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$3.00β±185
87.67%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$6.06β±374
46.70%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$2.90β±179
-19.31%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$0.60β±36.95
76.67%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$2.29β±141
-34.50%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$0.86β±53.3
60.47%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$1.36β±83.9
-15.44%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$3.17β±195
-63.41%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$0.92β±56.9
-3.26%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.60β±36.89
40.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$2.60β±160
-12.31%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$7.42β±458
43.40%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$1.05β±65.0
14.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$1.55β±95.5
59.35%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Polomolok
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$0.26β±16.01
230.77%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
$14.20β±876
191.55%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$0.90β±55.5
63.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$0.25β±15.48
684.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$2.14β±132
261.68%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$1.02β±63.1
-6.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$17.4Kβ±1.1M
3.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$19.1Kβ±1.2M
38.45%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Polomolok
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$57.9β±3,571
42.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$12.51β±772
-24.06%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$29.48β±1,818
-17.81%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Polomolok
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$33.43β±2,061
-22.55%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
$4.52β±279
320.35%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$4.39β±271
-10.48%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Polomolok
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$117β±7,214
164.48%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$1,479β±91.2K
303.43%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Polomolok
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$46.28β±2,854
26.75%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$27.00β±1,665
19.81%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$70.5β±4,350
45.45%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$69.7β±4,298
55.57%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Polomolok
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$268β±16.5K
77.75%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$176β±10.9K
115.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$593β±36.6K
41.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$390β±24.0K
85.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
$2,419β±149.1K
15.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$971β±59.9K
24.75%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Polomolok
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$241β±14.9K
112.15%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6
123.83%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Polomolok: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $268 in Polomolok. 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 112% higher in Medellin, 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 $14.00 in Polomolok. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $165 β making Polomolok 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 Polomolok: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Polomolok cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 54%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. 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 $985 in Polomolok. 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 Polomolok, 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 Polomolok?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $656 in Polomolok. 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 Polomolok?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Polomolok, where all-in costs run around $656, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Polomolok it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Polomolok more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Polomolok 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 Polomolok. 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.