Cost of Living Comparison Between San Bernardo and Medellin Cost of Living Comparison Between San Bernardo and Medellin

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $925 per month in San Bernardo vs $1,681 in Medellin, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,448 per month in San Bernardo vs $2,445 in Medellin, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,972 per month in San Bernardo vs $3,210 in Medellin, rent included.

San Bernardo is about 45% cheaper than Medellin, driven mainly by Getting Around.

San Bernardo sits 32% below the global median, while Medellin is 23% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.01 CLP 7,647

$8.02 COP 25.0K

-0.12%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$26.45 CLP 25.2K

$47.87 COP 149.4K

-44.75%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.98 CLP 6,657

$9.89 COP 30.8K

-29.42%

Cappuccino

$2.65 CLP 2,533

$3.13 COP 9,767

-15.34%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.99 CLP 949

$1.91 COP 5,954

-48.17%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.07 CLP 1,020

$1.51 COP 4,712

-29.14%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.20 CLP 4,010

$3.12 COP 9,747

34.62%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.72 CLP 4,504

$5.75 COP 17.9K

-17.91%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.14 CLP 1,086

$1.44 COP 4,509

-20.83%

White Bread (500g)

$1.28 CLP 1,219

$2.49 COP 7,759

-48.59%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.63 CLP 1,560

$1.77 COP 5,535

-7.91%

Eggs

$4.08 CLP 3,895

$2.96 COP 9,235

37.84%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.42 CLP 10.9K

$10.07 COP 31.4K

13.41%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.51 CLP 4,308

$10.12 COP 31.6K

-55.43%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.98 CLP 10.5K

$14.30 COP 44.6K

-23.22%

Apples (1kg)

$1.90 CLP 1,809

$4.14 COP 12.9K

-54.11%

Banana (1kg)

$1.59 CLP 1,516

$1.61 COP 5,019

-1.24%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.47 CLP 1,407

$2.25 COP 7,007

-34.67%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.77 CLP 1,688

$2.25 COP 7,028

-21.33%

Potato (1kg)

$0.88 CLP 840

$2.04 COP 6,375

-56.86%

Onion (1kg)

$0.80 CLP 764

$1.54 COP 4,790

-48.05%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.25 CLP 1,188

$1.17 COP 3,651

6.84%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.13 CLP 1,081

$1.31 COP 4,077

-13.74%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.32 CLP 3,164

$3.90 COP 12.2K

-14.87%

Wine (Bottle)

$6.09 CLP 5,810

$14.01 COP 43.7K

-56.53%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.61 CLP 1,540

$1.74 COP 5,439

-7.47%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.52 CLP 2,405

$2.87 COP 8,956

-12.20%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.81 CLP 776

$1.22 COP 3,792

-33.61%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$80.5 COP 251.1K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.41 CLP 389

$1.31 COP 4,084

-68.70%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.93 CLP 886

$2.19 COP 6,825

-57.53%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$11.80 CLP 11.3K

$8.71 COP 27.2K

35.48%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.36 CLP 1,301

$1.37 COP 4,260

-0.73%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$18.4K CLP 17.5M

$27.8K COP 86.9M

-34.03%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$21.7K CLP 20.7M

$35.8K COP 111.6M

-39.40%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$125 CLP 118.9K

$177 COP 553.2K

-29.72%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$12.48 CLP 11.9K

$13.88 COP 43.3K

-10.09%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$16.51 CLP 15.8K

$29.72 COP 92.8K

-44.45%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$20.41 CLP 19.5K

$44.88 COP 140.1K

-54.52%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.12 COP 53.4K

Cinema Ticket

$7.67 CLP 7,320

$6.65 COP 20.7K

15.34%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$447 CLP 426.9K

$813 COP 2.5M

-44.96%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.1K CLP 10.6M

$9,187 COP 28.7M

20.71%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$37.13 CLP 35.4K

$89.5 COP 279.3K

-58.51%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.27 CLP 26.0K

$59.0 COP 184.0K

-53.76%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$68.2 CLP 65.1K

$138 COP 431.2K

-50.66%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$82.1 CLP 78.4K

$102 COP 318.7K

-19.57%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$279 CLP 265.8K

$1,062 COP 3.3M

-73.77%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$256 CLP 244.0K

$663 COP 2.1M

-61.42%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$716 CLP 683.3K

$1,888 COP 5.9M

-62.08%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$552 CLP 526.7K

$1,027 COP 3.2M

-46.26%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,925 CLP 1.8M

$4,183 COP 13.1M

-53.99%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,417 CLP 1.4M

$1,675 COP 5.2M

-15.35%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,347 CLP 1.3M

$678 COP 2.1M

98.73%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.39

10.94

-50.73%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for San Bernardo: September 12, 2026

Last update for Medellin: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $279 in San Bernardo versus $1,062 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 99% higher in San Bernardo, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $26.00 in San Bernardo versus $48.00 in Medellin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $219 vs $305 – making San Bernardo 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

San Bernardo vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 82%, and the gap shows up most in Getting Around. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,387 per month in San Bernardo and $2,521 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in San Bernardo, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $26.00 in San Bernardo and $48.00 in Medellin. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 39% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in San Bernardo, where all-in costs run around $925, than in Medellin at $1,681. In San Bernardo it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward San Bernardo – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with San Bernardo. 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.