πA single person spends $1,028 per month in Medellin vs $1,079 in Roche Terre, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,586 per month in Medellin vs $1,746 in Roche Terre, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,144 per month in Medellin vs $2,413 in Roche Terre, rent included.
πMedellin is about 5% cheaper than Roche Terre, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Medellin and Roche Terre are more affordable than the global median β Medellin23% lower, Roche Terre19% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Roche Terre
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.00COPΒ 20.6K
$6.68MURΒ 315
-10.18%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.84COPΒ 112.5K
$44.57MURΒ 2,098
-26.32%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.42COPΒ 25.4K
$7.02MURΒ 331
5.70%
Cappuccino
$1.65COPΒ 5,659
$2.57MURΒ 121
-35.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07COPΒ 3,663
$1.02MURΒ 48.24
4.90%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76COPΒ 2,607
$0.56MURΒ 26.48
35.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COPΒ 5,908
$2.26MURΒ 107
-23.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20COPΒ 11.0K
$3.26MURΒ 154
-1.84%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Roche Terre
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,597
$1.71MURΒ 80.3
-38.60%
White Bread(500g)
$1.31COPΒ 4,479
$0.70MURΒ 32.81
87.14%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.34COPΒ 4,591
$1.27MURΒ 59.6
5.51%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,521
$2.22MURΒ 105
-1.35%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.41COPΒ 15.1K
$11.73MURΒ 552
-62.40%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.69COPΒ 19.5K
$6.04MURΒ 285
-5.79%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.52COPΒ 29.2K
$12.70MURΒ 598
-32.91%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,023
$2.08MURΒ 97.9
12.50%
Banana(1kg)
$1.11COPΒ 3,804
$2.02MURΒ 94.9
-45.05%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,210
$1.49MURΒ 70.2
2.01%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,680
$2.75MURΒ 130
-50.18%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 3,950
$1.03MURΒ 48.34
11.65%
Onion(1kg)
$1.18COPΒ 4,043
$1.00MURΒ 47.04
18.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.84COPΒ 2,885
$0.80MURΒ 37.85
5.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86COPΒ 2,931
$0.75MURΒ 35.50
14.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.26COPΒ 7,753
$6.76MURΒ 318
-66.57%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.60COPΒ 39.8K
$8.31MURΒ 391
39.59%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,109
$1.74MURΒ 81.8
-31.03%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COPΒ 8,484
$2.22MURΒ 104
11.71%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Roche Terre
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,721
$1.00MURΒ 46.95
-21.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.83COPΒ 139.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,023
$4.52MURΒ 213
-67.48%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.92COPΒ 6,568
$2.70MURΒ 127
-28.89%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.77COPΒ 26.6K
$20.19MURΒ 951
-61.52%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,464
$1.39MURΒ 65.6
-27.34%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.7KCOPΒ 60.5M
$35.9KMURΒ 1.7M
-50.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 90.7M
$28.5KMURΒ 1.3M
-7.21%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Roche Terre
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.1COPΒ 277.9K
$49.38MURΒ 2,325
64.24%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.43COPΒ 32.3K
$18.38MURΒ 865
-48.69%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.86COPΒ 81.8K
$33.79MURΒ 1,591
-29.39%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Roche Terre
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.99COPΒ 89.1K
$38.07MURΒ 1,793
-31.73%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.71COPΒ 64.1K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.09COPΒ 14.0K
$6.06MURΒ 286
-32.51%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Roche Terre
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$315COPΒ 1.1M
$152MURΒ 7,167
106.60%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,022COPΒ 20.6M
$3,946MURΒ 185.8K
52.62%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Roche Terre
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.7COPΒ 204.6K
$85.5MURΒ 4,024
-30.14%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.97COPΒ 109.6K
$79.7MURΒ 3,750
-59.86%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101COPΒ 346.9K
$131MURΒ 6,186
-22.96%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$105COPΒ 360.3K
$95.9MURΒ 4,515
9.62%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Roche Terre
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$485COPΒ 1.7M
$507MURΒ 23.9K
-4.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$365COPΒ 1.3M
$352MURΒ 16.6K
3.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$827COPΒ 2.8M
$934MURΒ 44.0K
-11.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$730COPΒ 2.5M
$732MURΒ 34.5K
-0.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,992COPΒ 10.3M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,314COPΒ 4.5M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Roche Terre
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$551COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.67
101.35%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 15, 2026
Last update for Roche Terre: June 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $485 in Medellin versus $507 in Roche Terre. 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 $45.00 in Roche Terre. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $231 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 Roche Terre: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roche Terre cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Roche Terre is pricier by about 5%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. 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 $1,542 per month in Medellin and $1,619 in Roche Terre. 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.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Roche Terre?
Groceries cost about 22% more in Roche Terre, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Roche Terre?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,028, than in Roche Terre at $1,079. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Roche Terre it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Roche Terre 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 Roche Terre?
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, Roche Terre makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.