😐A single person spends $1,716 per month in Medellin vs $419 in Villarrica, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,527 per month in Medellin vs $637 in Villarrica, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,338 per month in Medellin vs $854 in Villarrica, rent included.
😐Medellin costs about 309% more than Villarrica, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Medellin sits 25% above the global median, while Villarrica is 69% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Villarrica
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.03COP 25.1K
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.26COP 150.8K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.77COP 30.5K
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.91COP 9,095
$2.52CLP 2,349
15.48%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94COP 6,074
$1.65CLP 1,541
17.58%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.52COP 4,754
$1.09CLP 1,013
39.45%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.09COP 9,663
$2.74CLP 2,560
12.77%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.74COP 17.9K
$4.80CLP 4,482
19.58%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Villarrica
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.36COP 4,262
$1.29CLP 1,205
5.43%
White Bread(500g)
$2.39COP 7,460
$2.62CLP 2,450
-8.78%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70COP 5,314
$2.53CLP 2,364
-32.81%
Eggs
$2.87COP 8,967
$3.25CLP 3,036
-11.69%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.94COP 31.1K
$8.40CLP 7,846
18.33%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.78COP 33.7K
$11.32CLP 10.6K
-4.77%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.73COP 46.0K
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$4.09COP 12.8K
$2.61CLP 2,433
56.70%
Banana(1kg)
$1.57COP 4,911
$1.92CLP 1,790
-18.23%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.13COP 6,642
$2.78CLP 2,594
-23.38%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.21COP 6,917
$1.48CLP 1,382
49.32%
Potato(1kg)
$2.05COP 6,396
$1.48CLP 1,381
38.51%
Onion(1kg)
$1.50COP 4,700
$1.29CLP 1,206
16.28%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.19COP 3,718
$1.63CLP 1,521
-26.99%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.16COP 3,619
$2.00CLP 1,865
-42.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.90COP 12.2K
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$14.44COP 45.1K
$5.68CLP 5,304
154.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.58COP 4,948
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.83COP 8,836
$3.72CLP 3,478
-23.92%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Villarrica
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.17COP 3,650
$1.89CLP 1,760
-38.10%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$77.7COP 242.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.28COP 4,014
$2.20CLP 2,056
-41.82%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.09COP 6,537
$2.17CLP 2,028
-3.69%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.62COP 26.9K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.30COP 4,056
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.7KCOP 86.4M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.5KCOP 110.9M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Villarrica
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$176COP 550.1K
$64.1CLP 59.8K
174.68%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.37COP 41.8K
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.89COP 93.4K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Villarrica
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.76COP 139.8K
$32.17CLP 30.0K
39.14%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.06COP 53.3K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.20COP 19.4K
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Villarrica
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$793COP 2.5M
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,019COP 28.2M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Villarrica
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$85.6COP 267.5K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.5COP 182.7K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$136COP 425.9K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103COP 322.2K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Villarrica
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,060COP 3.3M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$680COP 2.1M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,012COP 6.3M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,169COP 3.7M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,111COP 12.8M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,701COP 5.3M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Villarrica
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$665COP 2.1M
$544CLP 508.0K
22.27%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.94
0
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CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: August 30, 2026
Last update for Villarrica: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Salaries run about 22% higher in Medellin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
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 Villarrica: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Villarrica cheaper than Medellin?
Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 309%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. 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 $2,574 per month in Medellin and $629 in Villarrica. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin and in Villarrica?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,716 in Medellin and $419 in Villarrica. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and in Villarrica?
Groceries cost about 25% 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 living in Medellin or in Villarrica?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Villarrica, where all-in costs run around $419, than in Medellin at $1,716. In Villarrica it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Villarrica more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Villarrica – 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 Villarrica. 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.