Cost of Living in Medellin - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $568 (excluding rent), and $1,030 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,371 (excluding rent), and $2,146 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.03 COP 22.9K
$3.62 COP 13.7K
$10.87 COP 41.2K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.17 COP 125.7K
$24.57 COP 93.1K
$49.15 COP 186.2K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.29 COP 27.6K
$6.07 COP 23.0K
$8.25 COP 31.3K
Cappuccino
$1.63 COP 6,174
$0.83 COP 3,143
$2.36 COP 8,947
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05 COP 3,974
$0.71 COP 2,686
$1.88 COP 7,139
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77 COP 2,918
$0.54 COP 2,062
$1.24 COP 4,708
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.73 COP 6,554
$0.99 COP 3,740
$2.46 COP 9,330
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18 COP 12.0K
$2.23 COP 8,453
$4.05 COP 15.3K
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.07 COP 4,043
$0.72 COP 2,733
$1.65 COP 6,251
White Bread (500g)
$1.31 COP 4,968
$0.75 COP 2,833
$2.98 COP 11.3K
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.38 COP 5,230
$0.62 COP 2,346
$2.76 COP 10.5K
Eggs
$2.25 COP 8,515
$1.56 COP 5,918
$3.52 COP 13.3K
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.48 COP 17.0K
$2.44 COP 9,261
$8.22 COP 31.1K
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.74 COP 21.7K
$2.41 COP 9,119
$9.64 COP 36.5K
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.86 COP 33.6K
$6.11 COP 23.1K
$11.73 COP 44.4K
Apples (1kg)
$2.24 COP 8,496
$1.30 COP 4,913
$3.54 COP 13.4K
Banana (1kg)
$1.06 COP 4,015
$0.68 COP 2,579
$2.12 COP 8,030
Oranges (1kg)
$1.51 COP 5,736
$0.74 COP 2,810
$2.46 COP 9,316
Tomato (1kg)
$1.36 COP 5,154
$0.47 COP 1,780
$2.12 COP 8,047
Potato (1kg)
$1.12 COP 4,247
$0.60 COP 2,273
$1.91 COP 7,228
Onion (1kg)
$1.17 COP 4,430
$0.62 COP 2,350
$1.73 COP 6,549
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.90 COP 3,418
$0.38 COP 1,431
$1.27 COP 4,809
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84 COP 3,171
$0.42 COP 1,586
$1.27 COP 4,793
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.26 COP 8,559
$1.42 COP 5,396
$3.09 COP 11.7K
Wine (Bottle)
$9.97 COP 37.8K
$5.24 COP 19.8K
$15.74 COP 59.6K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.18 COP 4,482
$0.78 COP 2,949
$1.49 COP 5,631
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.39 COP 9,054
$1.42 COP 5,381
$3.56 COP 13.5K
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.86 COP 3,255
$0.73 COP 2,779
$0.95 COP 3,612
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$41.45 COP 157.1K
$36.58 COP 138.6K
$51.2 COP 194.0K
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.47 COP 5,559
$1.20 COP 4,562
$1.96 COP 7,437
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.95 COP 7,372
$1.22 COP 4,622
$2.92 COP 11.1K
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.76 COP 29.4K
$5.96 COP 22.6K
$10.75 COP 40.7K
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.97 COP 3,665
$0.92 COP 3,478
$1.01 COP 3,815
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9K COP 68.0M
$14.6K COP 55.1M
$18.7K COP 70.8M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7K COP 101.2M
$26.7K COP 101.2M
$30.1K COP 114.1M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$81.1 COP 307.3K
$53.3 COP 202.0K
$119 COP 451.4K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.40 COP 35.6K
$5.88 COP 22.3K
$16.48 COP 62.4K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.61 COP 89.4K
$17.88 COP 67.8K
$35.06 COP 132.8K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$25.55 COP 96.8K
$16.93 COP 64.2K
$36.29 COP 137.5K
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.29 COP 73.1K
$11.03 COP 41.8K
$22.05 COP 83.5K
Cinema Ticket
$4.10 COP 15.5K
$3.48 COP 13.2K
$6.20 COP 23.5K
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$306 COP 1.2M
$191 COP 724.9K
$478 COP 1.8M
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,899 COP 22.3M
$4,316 COP 16.4M
$8,633 COP 32.7M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.8 COP 226.6K
$36.85 COP 139.6K
$86.0 COP 325.7K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.96 COP 121.1K
$16.81 COP 63.7K
$60.1 COP 227.5K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$103 COP 389.1K
$61.3 COP 232.3K
$147 COP 557.4K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108 COP 408.7K
$48.98 COP 185.6K
$159 COP 603.1K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$483 COP 1.8M
$266 COP 1.0M
$968 COP 3.7M
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$377 COP 1.4M
$233 COP 883.9K
$491 COP 1.9M
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$822 COP 3.1M
$573 COP 2.2M
$1,314 COP 5.0M
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$721 COP 2.7M
$486 COP 1.8M
$1,094 COP 4.1M
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,784 COP 10.5M
$1,326 COP 5.0M
$3,395 COP 12.9M
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,320 COP 5.0M
$1,178 COP 4.5M
$1,878 COP 7.1M
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$538 COP 2.0M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.43
9.5
18

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

Last update: March 3, 2026

Medellin Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

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Mbps
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Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
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Cost of Living in Medellin - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Medellin measure up for value for money for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Medellin tends to deliver solid value for money, especially when you adjust your location and lifestyle. Public transit, affordable street food, and a diverse housing landscape keep expenses predictable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. Cost of Living in Medellin, Colombia is often favorable relative to many Western cities, though prices vary by neighborhood and by how you live. You can balance comfort and cost by choosing a midrange area like Laureles or Envigado, which offer good amenities without ultra-premium rents. Internet access and coworking options are solid across several neighborhoods, making remote work workable. Tip: map out your priorities and test a few neighborhoods before committing.
What does daily life look like when searching for housing, shopping for groceries, and getting around in Medellin?
Daily life centers on accessible options: start with a short-term rental in a neighborhood with good transit links (Laureles or Poblado) to test vibes before committing long-term. Groceries come from busy mercados and well-stocked supermarkets, with plenty of affordable prepared foods if you’re pressed for time. For getting around, the metro plus Metrocable and reliable buses cover most of the city, and cycles or scooters are common for short hops. Co-working spaces are plentiful in several hubs, often with flexible plans. Medellin, Colombia living cost varies by neighborhood and lifestyle, but you can keep a comfortable routine by cooking at home, using public transit, and choosing local eateries. Tip: plan a weekly route map to save travel time.
What factors affect quality of life and budgeting for a stay in Medellin, and how can you fit in neighborhood and seasonal considerations?
Quality of life sits at the intersection of climate, culture, and community. You’ll find friendly, active neighborhoods, plazas, and a growing array of cafes and coworking spots that suit remote work and social life. To tailor your stay, pick a neighborhood that matches your pace: Poblado for easy access to services, Laureles for walkability, or Envigado for a calmer residential vibe. A simple budgeting approach helps: cover housing and utilities first, then food, transport, and personal activities, with some headroom for exploring the city. Seasonal shifts are less about weather swings and more about rain timing and outdoor events; plan outdoor days accordingly. Tip: build a flexible weekly plan that lets you swap neighborhoods.

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