Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Saint Andrew Parish

For one person, living is cheaper in Saint Andrew Parish: $1,496 a month against $1,639 in Medellin, rent and utilities included – about $1,700 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Medellin outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Medellin, Colombia
Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,639
/mo nomad
Saint Andrew Parish
🇯🇲 Jamaica
$1,496
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Saint Andrew Parish

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Medellin and in Saint Andrew Parish actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,639 per month in Medellin vs $1,496 in Saint Andrew Parish, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,639
  • Saint Andrew Parish $1,496

A couple spends around $2,413 per month in Medellin vs $2,422 in Saint Andrew Parish, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,413
  • Saint Andrew Parish $2,422

A family of three spends $3,186 per month in Medellin vs $3,348 in Saint Andrew Parish, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,186
  • Saint Andrew Parish $3,348

Medellin costs about 10% more than Saint Andrew Parish, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

Both Medellin and Saint Andrew Parish sit above the global median – Medellin by 20%, Saint Andrew Parish by 10%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Saint Andrew Parish
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.09 COP 26.1K
$13.43 JMD 2,121
-39.76%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.05 COP 151.9K
$67.2 JMD 10.6K
-30.03%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.50 COP 30.7K
$8.15 JMD 1,288
16.56%
Cappuccino
$3.01 COP 9,734
$5.42 JMD 856
-44.46%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80 COP 5,809
$1.20 JMD 190
50.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.41 COP 4,560
$0.71 JMD 111
98.59%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.18 COP 10.3K
$2.24 JMD 355
41.96%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.75 COP 18.6K
$3.22 JMD 509
78.57%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Saint Andrew Parish
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.51 COP 4,875
$3.38 JMD 533
-55.33%
White Bread (500g)
$2.38 COP 7,677
$2.60 JMD 411
-8.46%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.77 COP 5,719
$1.63 JMD 257
8.59%
Eggs
$2.89 COP 9,332
$3.51 JMD 554
-17.66%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.19 COP 32.9K
$11.52 JMD 1,820
-11.55%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.87 COP 31.9K
$6.23 JMD 984
58.43%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.99 COP 45.2K
$10.36 JMD 1,638
35.04%
Apples (1kg)
$3.97 COP 12.8K
$6.07 JMD 960
-34.60%
Banana (1kg)
$1.55 COP 5,011
$3.98 JMD 630
-61.06%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.18 COP 7,047
$4.94 JMD 781
-55.87%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.18 COP 7,050
$3.10 JMD 489
-29.68%
Potato (1kg)
$1.96 COP 6,336
$3.32 JMD 525
-40.96%
Onion (1kg)
$1.59 COP 5,131
$2.58 JMD 408
-38.37%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.15 COP 3,698
$1.86 JMD 294
-38.17%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24 COP 4,014
$0.96 JMD 151
29.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.96 COP 12.8K
$9.27 JMD 1,465
-57.28%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.68 COP 44.2K
$11.46 JMD 1,810
19.37%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.66 COP 5,359
$2.54 JMD 401
-34.65%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26 COP 7,290
$3.08 JMD 487
-26.62%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Saint Andrew Parish
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.17 COP 3,770
$0.65 JMD 103
80.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$77.4 COP 249.8K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.27 COP 4,094
$0.97 JMD 154
30.93%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.05 COP 6,611
$3.10 JMD 490
-33.87%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.55 COP 27.6K
$6.14 JMD 970
39.25%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 COP 4,348
$1.30 JMD 206
3.85%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.1K COP 110.0M
$44.9K JMD 7.1M
-24.18%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7K COP 111.9M
$24.9K JMD 3.9M
39.25%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Saint Andrew Parish
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$170 COP 547.7K
$115 JMD 18.2K
47.61%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.55 COP 43.7K
$29.93 JMD 4,728
-54.73%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.07 COP 90.6K
$53.3 JMD 8,419
-47.33%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Saint Andrew Parish
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.70 COP 141.1K
$60.1 JMD 9,497
-27.30%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.19 COP 55.5K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.91 COP 22.3K
$13.44 JMD 2,123
-48.59%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Saint Andrew Parish
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$797 COP 2.6M
$254 JMD 40.1K
214.19%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,112 COP 29.4M
$8,331 JMD 1.3M
9.37%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Saint Andrew Parish
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$84.7 COP 273.5K
$23.59 JMD 3,727
259.14%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.0 COP 187.1K
$31.28 JMD 4,942
85.29%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$135 COP 435.7K
$77.4 JMD 12.2K
74.32%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$97.9 COP 316.0K
$74.8 JMD 11.8K
30.93%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Saint Andrew Parish
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,208 COP 3.9M
$825 JMD 130.3K
46.43%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$642 COP 2.1M
$534 JMD 84.3K
20.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,028 COP 6.5M
$1,680 JMD 265.4K
20.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,012 COP 3.3M
$1,109 JMD 175.1K
-8.73%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,170 COP 13.5M
$2,675 JMD 422.7K
55.88%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,910 COP 6.2M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Saint Andrew Parish
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$657 COP 2.1M
$726 JMD 114.8K
-9.53%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
9
21.56%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Medellin: October 25, 2026

Last update for Saint Andrew Parish: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$642
Saint Andrew Parish
$534 16.8% $108
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$297
Saint Andrew Parish
$342 15.3% $45
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$211
Saint Andrew Parish
$198 6.2% $13
Eating Out
Medellin
$170
Saint Andrew Parish
$222 31% $53
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$169
Saint Andrew Parish
$93 44.9% $76
Getting Around
Medellin
$94
Saint Andrew Parish
$19 * 79.6% $74
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$58
Saint Andrew Parish
$87 51.2% $29

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,208 in Medellin versus $825 in Saint Andrew Parish. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 11% higher in Saint Andrew Parish, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin versus $67 in Saint Andrew Parish. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $297 vs $342 – making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇯🇲 Saint Andrew Parish
🕒 Local time
13:23 1:23 PM
13:23 1:23 PM
Same time as Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
555,995
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

JMD, USD, EUR to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 3,229 COP (10,000 COP = 3.1 USD). 1 EUR = 3,603 COP (10,000 COP = 2.78 EUR).

Jamaican Dollar exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 158 JMD (1,000 JMD = 6.33 USD). 1 EUR = 176 JMD (1,000 JMD = 5.67 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Saint Andrew Parish 1,320 km ≈ 2 h 15 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Saint Andrew Parish

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Saint Andrew Parish: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saint Andrew Parish cheaper than Medellin?
Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 10%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in clothing.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,459 per month in Medellin and $2,244 in Saint Andrew Parish. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Saint Andrew Parish, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $825 there versus $1,208 in Medellin.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or in Saint Andrew Parish?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin and $67 in Saint Andrew Parish. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and in Saint Andrew Parish?
Interestingly, groceries are about 13% cheaper in Medellin – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value.
Is $2,000 enough for either Medellin or Saint Andrew Parish?
$2,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $1,639 in Medellin and $1,496 in Saint Andrew Parish, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Is Medellin or Saint Andrew Parish more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Saint Andrew Parish – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

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