πA single person spends $1,028 per month in Medellin vs $1,243 in Tunapuna, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,586 per month in Medellin vs $2,016 in Tunapuna, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,144 per month in Medellin vs $2,790 in Tunapuna, rent included.
πMedellin is about 17% cheaper than Tunapuna, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Medellin and Tunapuna are more affordable than the global median β Medellin23% lower, Tunapuna7% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Tunapuna
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.00COPΒ 20.6K
$5.74TTDΒ 38.75
4.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.84COPΒ 112.5K
$72.8TTDΒ 492
-54.87%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.42COPΒ 25.4K
$6.48TTDΒ 43.77
14.51%
Cappuccino
$1.65COPΒ 5,659
$3.04TTDΒ 20.53
-45.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07COPΒ 3,663
$0.54TTDΒ 3.68
98.15%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76COPΒ 2,607
$0.46TTDΒ 3.08
65.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COPΒ 5,908
$1.50TTDΒ 10.12
14.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20COPΒ 11.0K
$2.88TTDΒ 19.48
11.11%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Tunapuna
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,597
$2.11TTDΒ 14.23
-50.24%
White Bread(500g)
$1.31COPΒ 4,479
$2.72TTDΒ 18.41
-51.84%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.34COPΒ 4,591
$2.63TTDΒ 17.76
-49.05%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,521
$5.12TTDΒ 34.57
-57.23%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.41COPΒ 15.1K
$7.88TTDΒ 53.2
-44.04%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.69COPΒ 19.5K
$10.56TTDΒ 71.3
-46.12%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.52COPΒ 29.2K
$14.57TTDΒ 98.5
-41.52%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,023
$5.86TTDΒ 39.62
-60.07%
Banana(1kg)
$1.11COPΒ 3,804
$2.61TTDΒ 17.62
-57.47%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,210
$4.40TTDΒ 29.75
-65.45%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,680
$4.59TTDΒ 31.04
-70.15%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 3,950
$1.50TTDΒ 10.15
-23.33%
Onion(1kg)
$1.18COPΒ 4,043
$1.64TTDΒ 11.11
-28.05%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.84COPΒ 2,885
$1.96TTDΒ 13.27
-57.14%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86COPΒ 2,931
$1.00TTDΒ 6.77
-14.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.26COPΒ 7,753
$5.21TTDΒ 35.19
-56.62%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.60COPΒ 39.8K
$19.13TTDΒ 129
-39.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,109
$1.47TTDΒ 9.92
-18.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COPΒ 8,484
$2.70TTDΒ 18.23
-8.15%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Tunapuna
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,721
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.83COPΒ 139.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,023
$1.01TTDΒ 6.85
45.54%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.92COPΒ 6,568
$1.21TTDΒ 8.20
58.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.77COPΒ 26.6K
$14.73TTDΒ 99.5
-47.25%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,464
$1.02TTDΒ 6.87
-0.98%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.7KCOPΒ 60.5M
$33.7KTTDΒ 227.9K
-47.66%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 90.7M
$37.9KTTDΒ 256.2K
-30.25%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Tunapuna
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.1COPΒ 277.9K
$80.7TTDΒ 545
0.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.43COPΒ 32.3K
$47.05TTDΒ 318
-79.96%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.86COPΒ 81.8K
$60.6TTDΒ 409
-60.62%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Tunapuna
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.99COPΒ 89.1K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.71COPΒ 64.1K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.09COPΒ 14.0K
$10.22TTDΒ 69.1
-59.98%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Tunapuna
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$315COPΒ 1.1M
$327TTDΒ 2,206
-3.67%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,022COPΒ 20.6M
$7,297TTDΒ 49.3K
-17.47%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Tunapuna
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.7COPΒ 204.6K
$59.6TTDΒ 403
0.17%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.97COPΒ 109.6K
$37.67TTDΒ 255
-15.13%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101COPΒ 346.9K
$146TTDΒ 983
-30.45%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$105COPΒ 360.3K
$58.3TTDΒ 394
80.20%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Tunapuna
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$485COPΒ 1.7M
$437TTDΒ 2,950
11.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$365COPΒ 1.3M
$384TTDΒ 2,596
-4.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$827COPΒ 2.8M
$1,031TTDΒ 6,965
-19.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$730COPΒ 2.5M
$696TTDΒ 4,701
4.94%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,992COPΒ 10.3M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,314COPΒ 4.5M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Tunapuna
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$551COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.38
149.63%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 15, 2026
Last update for Tunapuna: June 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $485 in Medellin versus $437 in Tunapuna. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $73.0 in Tunapuna. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $364 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 Tunapuna: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tunapuna cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Tunapuna is pricier by about 21%, 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 $1,542 per month in Medellin and $1,864 in Tunapuna. 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.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Tunapuna?
Groceries cost about 92% more in Tunapuna, 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 Medellin or Tunapuna?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,028, than in Tunapuna at $1,243. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tunapuna it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Tunapuna 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 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, Tunapuna makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.