Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and RoxasCost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Roxas
Monthly Cost of Living
πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $615 in Roxas, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $968 in Roxas, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $1,322 in Roxas, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 65% more than Roxas, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Medellin and Roxas are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Roxas54% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Roxas
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$2.74β±166
117.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$21.55β±1,309
54.66%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$3.52β±214
105.40%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$1.97β±119
-17.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.56β±34.23
94.64%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.21β±12.95
247.62%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$0.95β±57.9
83.16%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$1.80β±109
79.44%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Roxas
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.18β±71.5
-11.02%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$1.07β±64.8
20.56%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$0.80β±48.46
65.00%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.24β±136
1.34%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$5.93β±360
-26.64%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$1.92β±116
206.25%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$6.82β±414
26.25%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.30β±78.8
73.08%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.12β±68.2
-4.46%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.41β±85.4
7.80%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$1.12β±68.0
26.79%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$1.04β±63.2
12.50%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.82β±50.0
42.68%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$1.06β±64.5
-16.04%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.45β±27.50
100.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$2.99β±181
-24.75%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$5.57β±338
98.20%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.26β±76.4
-9.52%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.43β±86.9
66.43%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Roxas
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.28β±17.14
200.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$0.68β±41.17
107.35%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.24β±14.62
691.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$2.58β±157
200.39%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.14β±69.0
-11.40%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$23.6Kβ±1.4M
-25.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$19.9Kβ±1.2M
33.38%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Roxas
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$64.9β±3,941
28.94%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$9.09β±552
3.96%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$28.50β±1,730
-15.40%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Roxas
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$33.61β±2,041
-24.70%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$4.35β±264
340.00%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$5.47β±332
-25.05%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Roxas
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$34.93β±2,121
793.04%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$4,368β±265.2K
37.21%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Roxas
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$45.86β±2,784
26.56%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$22.66β±1,376
43.69%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$62.5β±3,794
59.42%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$26.72β±1,623
306.21%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Roxas
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$359β±21.8K
34.32%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$175β±10.6K
117.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$576β±35.0K
45.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$392β±23.8K
84.43%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Roxas
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$586β±35.6K
-7.74%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
8
67.88%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Roxas: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $359 in Roxas. 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 8% higher in Roxas, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $22.00 in Roxas. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $142 β making Roxas 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 Roxas: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roxas cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 65%, 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 $1,525 per month in Medellin and $923 in Roxas. 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 Roxas, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Groceries cost about 34% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for Medellin or Roxas?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Roxas, where all-in costs run around $615, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Roxas it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Roxas more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Roxas 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 Roxas?
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 Roxas. 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.