πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $687 in Toledo City, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,095 in Toledo City, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $1,502 in Toledo City, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 47% more than Toledo City, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Medellin and Toledo City are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Toledo City49% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Toledo City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$2.69β±166
122.68%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$21.17β±1,305
55.22%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$3.47β±214
104.32%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$1.97β±122
-13.20%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$0.53β±32.58
107.55%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.30β±18.41
160.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$0.96β±59.0
75.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$1.73β±106
77.46%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Toledo City
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$1.79β±110
-39.11%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$1.17β±72.2
7.69%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$0.93β±57.5
48.39%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$2.15β±133
1.86%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$5.85β±360
-24.79%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$4.34β±267
29.72%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$6.78β±418
31.12%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$2.32β±143
0.86%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$1.14β±70.3
-7.02%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$2.03β±125
-26.11%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$1.57β±96.5
-12.10%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$2.39β±148
-51.88%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$1.19β±73.4
-2.52%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$1.67β±103
-46.71%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.91β±55.9
-7.69%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$1.26β±77.9
80.95%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$4.19β±258
153.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$1.23β±75.9
-2.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$1.89β±116
30.69%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Toledo City
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$0.28β±17.36
207.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$0.69β±42.26
113.04%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$0.25β±15.53
684.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$2.70β±166
186.67%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$1.14β±70.2
-16.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$24.3Kβ±1.5M
-25.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$19.4Kβ±1.2M
36.76%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Toledo City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$66.3β±4,090
24.00%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$30.65β±1,890
-69.00%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$29.80β±1,838
-18.69%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Toledo City
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$33.57β±2,070
-22.88%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
$4.34β±268
337.79%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$1.74β±108
125.86%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Toledo City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$87.2β±5,377
254.83%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$4,309β±265.7K
38.45%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Toledo City
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$46.53β±2,869
26.07%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$22.63β±1,396
42.95%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$60.9β±3,753
68.56%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$79.1β±4,877
37.10%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Toledo City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$411β±25.3K
15.86%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$177β±10.9K
113.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$596β±36.8K
40.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$399β±24.6K
81.57%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
$2,471β±152.4K
12.92%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$962β±59.3K
25.93%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Toledo City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$329β±20.3K
55.65%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6
123.83%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Toledo City: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $411 in Toledo City. 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 56% higher in Medellin, 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 $21.00 in Toledo City. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $181 β making Toledo City 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 Toledo City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Toledo City cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 47%, and the gap shows up most in Getting Around. 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 $1,030 in Toledo City. 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 Toledo City, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Toledo City?
Groceries cost about 4% 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 $2,000 a realistic budget for Medellin or Toledo City?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Toledo City, where all-in costs run around $687, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Toledo City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Toledo City more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Toledo City 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 Toledo City. 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.