πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $1,025 in TamΓ‘si, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,585 in TamΓ‘si, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $2,145 in TamΓ‘si, rent included.
πMedellin is about 1% cheaper than TamΓ‘si, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
πBoth Medellin and TamΓ‘si are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, TamΓ‘si24% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
TamΓ‘si
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$7.67FtΒ 2,320
-22.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$45.89FtΒ 13.9K
-27.37%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$5.63FtΒ 1,703
28.42%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$2.06FtΒ 624
-20.87%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$1.49FtΒ 451
-26.85%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$1.39FtΒ 419
-47.48%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$2.27FtΒ 687
-23.35%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$2.12FtΒ 640
52.36%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
TamΓ‘si
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.05FtΒ 317
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$1.60FtΒ 485
-19.38%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.18FtΒ 358
11.86%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.04FtΒ 616
11.27%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$7.70FtΒ 2,330
-43.51%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$5.65FtΒ 1,711
4.07%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$11.26FtΒ 3,407
-23.53%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.37FtΒ 414
64.23%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.41FtΒ 426
-24.11%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.75FtΒ 528
-13.14%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$2.77FtΒ 839
-48.74%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.96FtΒ 291
21.87%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$1.19FtΒ 359
-1.68%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$1.43FtΒ 432
-37.76%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.48FtΒ 145
87.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$6.36FtΒ 1,924
-64.62%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$4.16FtΒ 1,260
165.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$0.92FtΒ 280
23.91%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.46FtΒ 442
63.01%
π Getting Around
Medellin
TamΓ‘si
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$1.18FtΒ 357
-28.81%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$25.37FtΒ 7,675
65.35%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$2.88FtΒ 870
-51.04%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$1.29FtΒ 390
47.29%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$17.46FtΒ 5,283
-55.61%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.68FtΒ 509
-39.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$26.2KFtΒ 7.9M
-33.00%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$25.3KFtΒ 7.6M
4.90%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
TamΓ‘si
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$105FtΒ 31.7K
-20.13%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$24.87FtΒ 7,524
-62.00%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$13.41FtΒ 4,058
79.79%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
TamΓ‘si
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$46.78FtΒ 14.2K
-45.90%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$16.60FtΒ 5,023
15.30%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$6.98FtΒ 2,111
-41.26%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
TamΓ‘si
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$223FtΒ 67.4K
39.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$6,210FtΒ 1.9M
-3.50%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
TamΓ‘si
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$82.9FtΒ 25.1K
-30.00%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$29.76FtΒ 9,004
9.41%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$69.5FtΒ 21.0K
43.32%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$58.1FtΒ 17.6K
86.98%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
TamΓ‘si
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$451FtΒ 136.4K
7.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$339FtΒ 102.6K
11.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$633FtΒ 191.7K
32.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$539FtΒ 163.2K
34.08%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$3,333FtΒ 1.0M
-14.79%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$2,104FtΒ 636.7K
-41.88%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
TamΓ‘si
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$1,251FtΒ 378.3K
-56.75%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.85
129.57%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for TamΓ‘si: June 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $451 in TamΓ‘si. 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 131% higher in TamΓ‘si, 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 $46.00 in TamΓ‘si. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $193 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 TamΓ‘si: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is TamΓ‘si cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β TamΓ‘si is pricier by about 1%, and the gap shows up most in Sport & Entertainment. 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 $1,537 in TamΓ‘si. 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 TamΓ‘si?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $1,025 in TamΓ‘si. 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 TamΓ‘si?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,017, than in TamΓ‘si at $1,025. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in TamΓ‘si it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or TamΓ‘si 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 TamΓ‘si?
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, TamΓ‘si makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.