😐A single person spends $1,641 per month in Medellin vs $389 in San Antonio de Petrel, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,447 per month in Medellin vs $542 in San Antonio de Petrel, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,253 per month in Medellin vs $695 in San Antonio de Petrel, rent included.
😐Medellin costs about 322% more than San Antonio de Petrel, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Medellin sits 19% above the global median, while San Antonio de Petrel is 72% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.04COP 24.8K
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.29COP 148.6K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.42COP 29.0K
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.94COP 9,040
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86COP 5,735
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.46COP 4,479
$0.62CLP 582
135.48%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.21COP 9,882
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-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.71COP 17.6K
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🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.44COP 4,428
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-
White Bread(500g)
$2.40COP 7,389
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-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70COP 5,228
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-
Eggs
$2.89COP 8,896
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.06COP 30.9K
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.97COP 30.7K
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-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.20COP 43.7K
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-
Apples(1kg)
$3.98COP 12.3K
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-
Banana(1kg)
$1.58COP 4,878
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Oranges(1kg)
$2.15COP 6,624
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-
Tomato(1kg)
$2.30COP 7,078
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-
Potato(1kg)
$2.00COP 6,169
-
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Onion(1kg)
$1.51COP 4,646
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Lettuce(1 head)
$1.20COP 3,701
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Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.28COP 3,946
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Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.84COP 11.8K
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Wine(Bottle)
$14.01COP 43.1K
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Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71COP 5,256
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-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.74COP 8,440
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🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.25COP 3,834
$0.89CLP 835
40.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$77.9COP 239.7K
-
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Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.31COP 4,016
$0.82CLP 770
59.76%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.17COP 6,680
$3.13CLP 2,943
-30.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.29COP 25.5K
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Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.36COP 4,172
$1.51CLP 1,421
-9.93%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.5KCOP 84.5M
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Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.5KCOP 112.4M
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🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$169COP 519.2K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.57COP 41.8K
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Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.32COP 87.2K
$21.05CLP 19.8K
34.54%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$45.71COP 140.7K
$27.24CLP 25.6K
67.80%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.22COP 53.0K
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Cinema Ticket
$6.65COP 20.5K
$4.85CLP 4,566
37.11%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$803COP 2.5M
$65.5CLP 61.6K
1127.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,190COP 28.3M
$1,201CLP 1.1M
665.34%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$87.4COP 268.8K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.4COP 182.7K
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-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$139COP 427.5K
$75.2CLP 70.7K
84.82%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$102COP 314.0K
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🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,071COP 3.3M
$324CLP 305.4K
230.05%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$653COP 2.0M
$270CLP 254.0K
141.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,925COP 5.9M
$633CLP 595.7K
204.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,048COP 3.2M
$484CLP 455.3K
116.60%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,123COP 12.7M
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Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,697COP 5.2M
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💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$655COP 2.0M
$426CLP 401.0K
53.74%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.94
0
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CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: September 7, 2026
Last update for San Antonio de Petrel: September 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,071 in Medellin versus $324 in San Antonio de Petrel. 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 54% higher in Medellin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
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 San Antonio de Petrel: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Antonio de Petrel cheaper than Medellin?
Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 322%, 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 $2,462 per month in Medellin and $584 in San Antonio de Petrel. 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 San Antonio de Petrel, 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 and in San Antonio de Petrel?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,641 in Medellin and $389 in San Antonio de Petrel. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $803 per month in Medellin and $65.5 in San Antonio de Petrel. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in San Antonio de Petrel?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in San Antonio de Petrel, where all-in costs run around $389, than in Medellin at $1,641. In San Antonio de Petrel it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or San Antonio de Petrel more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward San Antonio de Petrel – 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 San Antonio de Petrel. 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.