πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $157 in Santa Cruz del Seibo, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $238 in Santa Cruz del Seibo, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $319 in Santa Cruz del Seibo, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 548% more than Santa Cruz del Seibo, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Medellin and Santa Cruz del Seibo are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Santa Cruz del Seibo88% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$9.83DOPΒ 576
-39.47%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$4.87DOPΒ 285
48.46%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$1.97DOPΒ 115
-17.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.98DOPΒ 57.2
11.22%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.52DOPΒ 30.34
40.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
-
-
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
-
-
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$17.40DOPΒ 1,019
-36.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
-
-
π Getting Around
Medellin
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
-
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
-
-
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
-
-
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
-
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
-
-
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Santa Cruz del Seibo: June 7, 2026
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 Santa Cruz del Seibo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Santa Cruz del Seibo cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 548%, 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 $1,525 per month in Medellin and $235 in Santa Cruz del Seibo. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Santa Cruz del Seibo?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $157 in Santa Cruz del Seibo. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Santa Cruz del Seibo?
Groceries cost about 445% 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 $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Santa Cruz del Seibo?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Santa Cruz del Seibo, where all-in costs run around $157, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Santa Cruz del Seibo it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Santa Cruz del Seibo more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Santa Cruz del Seibo 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 Santa Cruz del Seibo. 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.