😐A single person spends $2,337 per month in Pembroke vs $1,641 in Medellin, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,821 per month in Pembroke vs $2,447 in Medellin, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $5,306 per month in Pembroke vs $3,253 in Medellin, rent included.
😐Pembroke costs about 42% more than Medellin, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Pembroke and Medellin sit above the global median – Pembroke by 69%, Medellin by 19%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Pembroke
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$50.6BMD 50.6
$8.04COP 25.0K
528.98%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$149BMD 149
$48.29COP 149.9K
208.68%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$17.21BMD 17.21
$9.42COP 29.3K
82.70%
Cappuccino
$4.61BMD 4.61
$2.94COP 9,120
56.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.19BMD 3.19
$1.86COP 5,786
71.51%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16BMD 3.16
$1.46COP 4,519
116.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.40BMD 7.40
$3.21COP 9,969
130.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$9.26BMD 9.26
$5.71COP 17.7K
62.17%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Pembroke
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$4.51BMD 4.51
$1.44COP 4,467
213.19%
White Bread(500g)
$8.52BMD 8.52
$2.40COP 7,454
255.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.67BMD 5.67
$1.70COP 5,274
233.53%
Eggs
$7.72BMD 7.72
$2.89COP 8,975
167.13%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.79BMD 18.79
$10.06COP 31.2K
86.78%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$23.51BMD 23.51
$9.97COP 31.0K
135.81%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$27.06BMD 27.06
$14.20COP 44.1K
90.56%
Apples(1kg)
$12.71BMD 12.71
$3.98COP 12.4K
219.35%
Banana(1kg)
$6.52BMD 6.52
$1.58COP 4,921
312.66%
Oranges(1kg)
$6.98BMD 6.98
$2.15COP 6,682
224.65%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.11BMD 4.11
$2.30COP 7,141
78.70%
Potato(1kg)
$6.95BMD 6.95
$2.00COP 6,223
247.50%
Onion(1kg)
$3.12BMD 3.12
$1.51COP 4,687
106.62%
Lettuce(1 head)
$6.58BMD 6.58
$1.20COP 3,734
448.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$3.69BMD 3.69
$1.28COP 3,981
188.28%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$17.83BMD 17.83
$3.84COP 11.9K
364.32%
Wine(Bottle)
$25.17BMD 25.17
$14.01COP 43.5K
79.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$5.32BMD 5.32
$1.71COP 5,302
211.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.63BMD 4.63
$2.74COP 8,515
68.98%
🚌 Getting Around
Pembroke
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$1.25COP 3,868
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$133BMD 133
$77.9COP 241.9K
70.35%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$6.37BMD 6.37
$1.31COP 4,052
386.26%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.54BMD 2.54
$2.17COP 6,739
17.05%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$69.0BMD 69.0
$8.29COP 25.8K
732.69%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.36BMD 2.36
$1.36COP 4,209
73.53%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.6KBMD 37.6K
$27.5KCOP 85.3M
36.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$41.7KBMD 41.7K
$36.5KCOP 113.4M
14.09%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pembroke
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$256BMD 256
$169COP 523.8K
51.57%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$145BMD 145
$13.57COP 42.1K
971.26%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$163BMD 163
$28.32COP 87.9K
476.87%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Pembroke
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$80.0BMD 80.0
$45.71COP 141.9K
74.95%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$17.22COP 53.5K
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.24BMD 13.24
$6.65COP 20.6K
99.10%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Pembroke
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,306BMD 1,306
$803COP 2.5M
62.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$24.8KBMD 24.8K
$9,190COP 28.5M
170.34%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Pembroke
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$91.4BMD 91.4
$87.4COP 271.2K
4.59%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$69.0BMD 69.0
$59.4COP 184.3K
16.17%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$143BMD 143
$139COP 431.3K
2.80%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$129BMD 129
$102COP 316.8K
26.62%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Pembroke
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,823BMD 3,823
$1,071COP 3.3M
256.95%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$653COP 2.0M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,925COP 6.0M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,048COP 3.3M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$4,123COP 12.8M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,697COP 5.3M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Pembroke
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$8,101BMD 8,101
$655COP 2.0M
1136.79%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.63
10.94
-21.12%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Pembroke: September 6, 2026
Last update for Medellin: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $3,823 in Pembroke versus $1,071 in Medellin. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 1137% higher in Pembroke, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $149 in Pembroke versus $48.00 in Medellin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $774 vs $300 – 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
Pembroke vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Pembroke?
Yes – Pembroke is pricier by about 42%, 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 $3,506 per month in Pembroke and $2,462 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – 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.
Is eating out cheaper in Pembroke or in Medellin?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $149 in Pembroke and $48.00 in Medellin. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Pembroke and in Medellin?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,337 in Pembroke and $1,641 in Medellin. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Pembroke or in Medellin?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,641, than in Pembroke at $2,337. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Pembroke it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Pembroke or Medellin more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Medellin – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Pembroke or Medellin?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – 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, Pembroke makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.