πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $1,549 in TΕeboΕ, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $2,227 in TΕeboΕ, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $2,905 in TΕeboΕ, rent included.
πMedellin is about 35% cheaper than TΕeboΕ, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πMedellin sits 24% below the global median, while TΕeboΕ is 16% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
TΕeboΕ
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$9.29KΔΒ 194
-35.52%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.2K
$43.86KΔΒ 914
-25.08%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$9.30KΔΒ 194
-23.76%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,105
$3.27KΔΒ 68.2
-47.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,918
$1.83KΔΒ 38.11
-39.89%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,776
$1.39KΔΒ 28.90
-43.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,987
$2.61KΔΒ 54.5
-35.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$2.54KΔΒ 52.9
20.87%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
TΕeboΕ
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,899
$1.13KΔΒ 23.64
-3.54%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,500
$1.45KΔΒ 30.20
-13.10%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,914
$2.12KΔΒ 44.24
-34.91%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,813
$2.20KΔΒ 45.77
-0.45%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$13.20KΔΒ 275
-66.67%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$4.47KΔΒ 93.2
25.95%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.7K
$11.15KΔΒ 232
-20.27%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,334
$1.74KΔΒ 36.30
34.48%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,771
$1.70KΔΒ 35.34
-37.65%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,365
$2.14KΔΒ 44.68
-29.91%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,915
$4.03KΔΒ 84.0
-65.76%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,104
$1.31KΔΒ 27.34
-12.21%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,148
$0.82KΔΒ 17.07
41.46%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,176
$0.91KΔΒ 19.01
-2.20%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,992
$0.79KΔΒ 16.52
6.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,131
$6.98KΔΒ 145
-67.34%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$6.64KΔΒ 138
60.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,276
$0.94KΔΒ 19.67
27.66%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,809
$1.79KΔΒ 37.24
37.99%
π Getting Around
Medellin
TΕeboΕ
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,051
$1.20KΔΒ 24.99
-28.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.6K
$25.20KΔΒ 525
64.29%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,255
$2.78KΔΒ 58.1
-47.12%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,997
$1.49KΔΒ 30.99
31.54%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$15.27KΔΒ 318
-49.31%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,403
$1.75KΔΒ 36.38
-45.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.6M
$28.5KKΔΒ 593.7K
-36.33%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.4M
$29.8KKΔΒ 620.4K
-10.99%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
TΕeboΕ
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.2K
$314KΔΒ 6,537
-73.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$25.32KΔΒ 528
-62.48%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.4K
$21.20KΔΒ 442
14.29%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
TΕeboΕ
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.3K
$53.0KΔΒ 1,104
-51.11%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.7K
$16.48KΔΒ 344
15.29%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$7.17KΔΒ 149
-45.19%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
TΕeboΕ
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$440KΔΒ 9,183
-29.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$14.7KKΔΒ 306.7K
-59.45%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
TΕeboΕ
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.1K
$89.1KΔΒ 1,858
-34.19%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.3K
$41.50KΔΒ 865
-22.05%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.7K
$99.1KΔΒ 2,066
3.51%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 386.5K
$113KΔΒ 2,357
-4.10%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
TΕeboΕ
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$667KΔΒ 13.9K
-28.56%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$568KΔΒ 11.8K
-33.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$1,184KΔΒ 24.7K
-29.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$853KΔΒ 17.8K
-15.16%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
$4,764KΔΒ 99.3K
-41.42%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$3,252KΔΒ 67.8K
-62.75%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
TΕeboΕ
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$1,180KΔΒ 24.6K
-56.62%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.56
141.55%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for TΕeboΕ: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $667 in TΕeboΕ. 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 TΕeboΕ, 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 TΕeboΕ. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $226 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 TΕeboΕ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is TΕeboΕ cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β TΕeboΕ is pricier by about 53%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. 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 $2,323 in TΕeboΕ. 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 TΕeboΕ?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $1,549 in TΕeboΕ. 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 TΕeboΕ?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,013, than in TΕeboΕ at $1,549. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in TΕeboΕ it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or TΕeboΕ 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 TΕeboΕ?
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, TΕeboΕ makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.