πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $1,597 in SkuteΔ, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $2,288 in SkuteΔ, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $2,978 in SkuteΔ, rent included.
πMedellin is about 37% cheaper than SkuteΔ, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πMedellin sits 24% below the global median, while SkuteΔ is 19% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
SkuteΔ
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$8.77KΔΒ 183
-31.70%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.2K
$44.12KΔΒ 920
-25.52%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$8.96KΔΒ 187
-20.87%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,105
$2.97KΔΒ 61.9
-42.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,918
$1.90KΔΒ 39.65
-42.11%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,776
$1.39KΔΒ 29.04
-43.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,987
$2.33KΔΒ 48.65
-27.90%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$2.79KΔΒ 58.2
10.04%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
SkuteΔ
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,899
$1.15KΔΒ 23.89
-5.22%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,500
$1.46KΔΒ 30.34
-13.70%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,914
$2.33KΔΒ 48.58
-40.77%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,813
$3.02KΔΒ 63.0
-27.48%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$12.29KΔΒ 256
-64.20%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$9.14KΔΒ 191
-38.40%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.7K
$12.99KΔΒ 271
-31.56%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,334
$1.71KΔΒ 35.60
36.84%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,771
$1.76KΔΒ 36.73
-39.77%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,365
$2.19KΔΒ 45.56
-31.51%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,915
$3.52KΔΒ 73.3
-60.80%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,104
$1.25KΔΒ 26.12
-8.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,148
$1.19KΔΒ 24.86
-2.52%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,176
$1.54KΔΒ 32.05
-42.21%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,992
$0.75KΔΒ 15.68
12.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,131
$6.98KΔΒ 145
-67.34%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$7.54KΔΒ 157
41.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,276
$0.92KΔΒ 19.16
30.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,809
$1.93KΔΒ 40.15
27.98%
π Getting Around
Medellin
SkuteΔ
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,051
$1.16KΔΒ 24.15
-25.86%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.6K
$26.05KΔΒ 543
58.93%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,255
$2.20KΔΒ 45.77
-33.18%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,997
$1.33KΔΒ 27.64
47.37%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$14.42KΔΒ 301
-46.32%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,403
$1.74KΔΒ 36.23
-45.40%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.6M
$28.4KKΔΒ 592.2K
-36.18%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.4M
$30.0KKΔΒ 626.4K
-11.85%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
SkuteΔ
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.2K
$288KΔΒ 6,014
-71.49%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$27.13KΔΒ 566
-64.98%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.4K
$20.92KΔΒ 436
15.82%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
SkuteΔ
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.3K
$53.4KΔΒ 1,113
-51.49%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.7K
$16.62KΔΒ 346
14.32%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$10.22KΔΒ 213
-61.55%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
SkuteΔ
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$411KΔΒ 8,569
-24.72%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$10.2KKΔΒ 212.3K
-41.43%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
SkuteΔ
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.1K
$81.6KΔΒ 1,701
-28.10%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.3K
$37.22KΔΒ 776
-13.08%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.7K
$94.6KΔΒ 1,972
8.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 386.5K
$109KΔΒ 2,279
-0.81%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
SkuteΔ
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$672KΔΒ 14.0K
-29.13%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$561KΔΒ 11.7K
-32.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$1,153KΔΒ 24.0K
-27.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$864KΔΒ 18.0K
-16.22%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
$4,499KΔΒ 93.8K
-37.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$3,507KΔΒ 73.1K
-65.46%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
SkuteΔ
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$1,325KΔΒ 27.6K
-61.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.45
146.42%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for SkuteΔ: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $672 in SkuteΔ. 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 159% higher in SkuteΔ, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $44.00 in SkuteΔ. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $259 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 SkuteΔ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is SkuteΔ cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β SkuteΔ is pricier by about 58%, 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 $1,519 per month in Medellin and $2,396 in SkuteΔ. 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.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs SkuteΔ?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $1,597 in SkuteΔ. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or SkuteΔ?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,013, than in SkuteΔ at $1,597. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in SkuteΔ it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or SkuteΔ 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 SkuteΔ?
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, SkuteΔ makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.