😐A single person spends $1,003 per month in Medellin vs $910 in Springs, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,573 per month in Medellin vs $1,500 in Springs, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,143 per month in Medellin vs $2,089 in Springs, rent included.
😐Medellin costs about 10% more than Springs, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
📊Both Medellin and Springs are more affordable than the global median – Medellin25% lower, Springs32% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Springs
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.91COP 18.6K
$8.37R 138
-29.39%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.96COP 103.8K
$33.09R 545
-0.39%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.43COP 23.4K
$4.78R 78.8
55.44%
Cappuccino
$1.65COP 5,207
$2.02R 33.20
-18.32%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,468
$0.88R 14.41
25.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COP 2,458
$0.67R 11.08
16.42%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,412
$1.72R 28.40
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COP 10.0K
$2.01R 33.03
58.21%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Springs
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10COP 3,474
$1.24R 20.35
-11.29%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COP 3,962
$0.98R 16.17
28.57%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,349
$1.61R 26.56
-14.29%
Eggs
$2.18COP 6,858
$2.37R 39.02
-8.02%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.49COP 14.1K
$6.57R 108
-31.66%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.79COP 18.2K
$4.47R 73.6
29.53%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COP 28.2K
$6.34R 104
41.48%
Apples(1kg)
$2.32COP 7,308
$1.01R 16.70
129.70%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COP 3,352
$0.88R 14.52
20.45%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COP 4,774
$1.11R 18.25
36.94%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COP 4,270
$1.03R 16.96
32.04%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,552
$1.30R 21.45
-13.08%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,689
$1.16R 19.06
0.86%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90COP 2,838
$1.10R 18.09
-18.18%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COP 2,823
$1.15R 19.01
-21.74%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.23COP 7,034
$2.76R 45.38
-19.20%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.12COP 38.2K
$3.85R 63.4
214.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 3,743
$1.15R 18.97
3.48%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COP 7,815
$1.70R 27.93
45.88%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Springs
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.85COP 2,687
$1.64R 26.93
-48.17%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.62COP 131.0K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COP 4,459
$1.39R 22.84
2.16%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.95COP 6,141
$1.32R 21.70
47.73%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.89COP 24.8K
$3.10R 51.0
154.52%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,118
$1.28R 21.05
-22.66%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOP 55.4M
$19.3KR 317.6K
-8.77%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 84.4M
$26.1KR 430.1K
2.57%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Springs
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.0COP 261.4K
$126R 2,077
-34.21%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.70COP 30.5K
$37.01R 609
-73.79%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.52COP 74.1K
$38.50R 634
-38.91%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Springs
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.26COP 79.5K
$35.84R 590
-29.52%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.10COP 60.1K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.95COP 12.4K
$7.62R 125
-48.16%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Springs
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$316COP 994.2K
$84.2R 1,387
274.87%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,975COP 18.8M
$1,669R 27.5K
258.03%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Springs
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0COP 188.9K
$51.4R 847
16.69%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 100.2K
$31.75R 523
0.22%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102COP 320.1K
$87.9R 1,447
15.69%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 338.3K
$90.1R 1,483
19.31%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Springs
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$475COP 1.5M
$265R 4,369
78.94%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$374COP 1.2M
$255R 4,190
46.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$849COP 2.7M
$675R 11.1K
25.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$719COP 2.3M
$640R 10.5K
12.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,265COP 10.3M
$875R 14.4K
273.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,441COP 4.5M
$678R 11.2K
112.42%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Springs
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$624COP 2.0M
$1,114R 18.3K
-43.93%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
10.62
26.46%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Last update for Springs: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $475 in Medellin versus $265 in Springs. 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 78% higher in Springs, 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 $33.00 in Medellin versus $33.00 in Springs. Groceries tell a different story – $193 in Medellin vs $160 in Springs – so Springs wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Springs: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Springs cheaper than Medellin?
Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 10%, and the gap shows up most in Monthly Utilities & Internet. 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 $1,504 per month in Medellin and $1,365 in Springs. 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 Springs, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or in Springs?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin and $33.00 in Springs. 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 Springs?
Groceries cost about 20% 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 living in Medellin or in Springs?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Springs, where all-in costs run around $910, than in Medellin at $1,003. In Springs it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Springs more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Springs – 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 Springs. 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.