πA single person spends $1,026 per month in St Francis Bay vs $1,017 in Medellin, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,587 per month in St Francis Bay vs $1,602 in Medellin, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,147 per month in St Francis Bay vs $2,188 in Medellin, rent included.
πSt Francis Bay costs about 1% more than Medellin, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth St Francis Bay and Medellin are more affordable than the global median β St Francis Bay24% lower, Medellin24% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
St Francis Bay
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.40RΒ 136
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
41.18%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.69RΒ 545
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
1.08%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.98RΒ 80.4
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
-31.12%
Cappuccino
$2.03RΒ 32.79
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
24.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.02RΒ 16.56
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
-6.42%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78RΒ 12.53
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
6.85%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.27RΒ 36.65
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
30.46%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.51RΒ 40.54
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
-22.29%
π Groceries & Markets
St Francis Bay
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.11RΒ 18.01
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
5.71%
White Bread(500g)
$1.05RΒ 17.04
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
-18.60%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.61RΒ 26.04
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
21.97%
Eggs
$2.47RΒ 39.98
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
8.81%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.91RΒ 128
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
81.84%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.65RΒ 75.1
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
-20.92%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.60RΒ 107
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
-23.34%
Apples(1kg)
$1.63RΒ 26.34
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
-27.56%
Banana(1kg)
$1.54RΒ 24.82
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
43.93%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.49RΒ 24.08
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
-1.97%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.65RΒ 26.63
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
16.20%
Potato(1kg)
$1.37RΒ 22.20
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
17.09%
Onion(1kg)
$1.18RΒ 19.13
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
0.85%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.06RΒ 17.11
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
19.10%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90RΒ 14.61
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.73RΒ 44.14
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
21.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.79RΒ 77.5
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
-56.61%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37RΒ 22.21
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
20.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.73RΒ 27.94
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
-27.31%
π Getting Around
St Francis Bay
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.62RΒ 26.22
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
92.86%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.11RΒ 17.91
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
-21.28%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.87RΒ 14.15
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
-54.21%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.08RΒ 66.0
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
-47.35%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.28RΒ 20.64
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
26.73%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1KRΒ 341.0K
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
19.98%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.3KRΒ 392.5K
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
-8.37%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
St Francis Bay
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$117RΒ 1,898
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
40.27%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$34.91RΒ 564
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
269.42%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$41.76RΒ 675
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
73.21%
π Sport & Entertainment
St Francis Bay
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.43RΒ 492
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
20.23%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.04RΒ 178
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-42.32%
Cinema Ticket
$6.66RΒ 108
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
62.44%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
St Francis Bay
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$193RΒ 3,124
$312COPΒ 1.1M
-38.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,316RΒ 69.8K
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
-27.98%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
St Francis Bay
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.63RΒ 802
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
-14.49%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.43RΒ 524
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
-0.40%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$87.1RΒ 1,407
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
-12.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.6RΒ 1,271
$109COPΒ 378.8K
-27.56%
π Accommodation & Living
St Francis Bay
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$362RΒ 5,854
$482COPΒ 1.7M
-24.92%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$339RΒ 5,484
$379COPΒ 1.3M
-10.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$686RΒ 11.1K
$837COPΒ 2.9M
-18.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$697RΒ 11.3K
$723COPΒ 2.5M
-3.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$899RΒ 14.5K
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
-68.34%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$709RΒ 11.5K
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
-42.02%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
St Francis Bay
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.51
13.43
-14.30%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for St Francis Bay: June 8, 2026
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $362 in St Francis Bay versus $482 in Medellin. 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 $34.00 in St Francis Bay versus $33.00 in Medellin. Groceries tell a different story β $178 in St Francis Bay vs $190 in Medellin β so St Francis Bay wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
St Francis Bay vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than St Francis Bay?
Yes β St Francis Bay is pricier by about 1%, and the gap shows up most in Getting Around. 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 $1,539 per month in St Francis Bay and $1,525 in Medellin. 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.
Is eating out cheaper in St Francis Bay or Medellin?
How do food prices compare in St Francis Bay and Medellin?
Interestingly, groceries are about 7% cheaper in St Francis Bay β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for St Francis Bay or Medellin?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,017, than in St Francis Bay at $1,026. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in St Francis Bay it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is St Francis Bay or Medellin 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, St Francis Bay 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 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, St Francis Bay makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
St Francis Bay vs other spots: cost of living compared