Cost of Living in Medellin - Updated Prices & Insights

39.29
Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $566 (excluding rent), and $1,015 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,365 (excluding rent), and $2,160 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.22 COP 25.9K
$3.73 COP 15.6K
$11.21 COP 46.7K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.42 COP 135.1K
$24.02 COP 100.1K
$48.03 COP 200.3K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.29 COP 30.4K
$6.07 COP 25.3K
$8.26 COP 34.4K
Cappuccino
$1.71 COP 7,109
$0.87 COP 3,618
$2.47 COP 10.3K
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.06 COP 4,418
$0.72 COP 2,986
$1.9 COP 7,935
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78 COP 3,271
$0.55 COP 2,311
$1.27 COP 5,277
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.72 COP 7,158
$0.98 COP 4,084
$2.44 COP 10.2K
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.22 COP 13.4K
$2.26 COP 9,419
$4.1 COP 17.1K
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.11 COP 4,635
$0.75 COP 3,133
$1.72 COP 7,167
White Bread (500g)
$1.29 COP 5,398
$0.74 COP 3,079
$2.94 COP 12.3K
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.32 COP 5,513
$0.59 COP 2,473
$2.64 COP 11K
Eggs
$2.17 COP 9,063
$1.51 COP 6,299
$3.4 COP 14.2K
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.55 COP 19K
$2.48 COP 10.3K
$8.35 COP 34.8K
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.78 COP 24.1K
$2.42 COP 10.1K
$9.71 COP 40.5K
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.75 COP 36.5K
$6.03 COP 25.1K
$11.58 COP 48.3K
Apples (1kg)
$2.32 COP 9,684
$1.34 COP 5,600
$3.67 COP 15.3K
Banana (1kg)
$1.06 COP 4,412
$0.68 COP 2,834
$2.12 COP 8,824
Oranges (1kg)
$1.47 COP 6,148
$0.72 COP 3,012
$2.4 COP 9,986
Tomato (1kg)
$1.36 COP 5,661
$0.47 COP 1,955
$2.12 COP 8,838
Potato (1kg)
$1.16 COP 4,817
$0.62 COP 2,578
$1.97 COP 8,198
Onion (1kg)
$1.13 COP 4,694
$0.6 COP 2,490
$1.66 COP 6,939
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.88 COP 3,649
$0.37 COP 1,528
$1.23 COP 5,135
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.87 COP 3,621
$0.43 COP 1,810
$1.31 COP 5,472
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.35 COP 9,777
$1.48 COP 6,164
$3.21 COP 13.4K
Wine (Bottle)
$9.5 COP 39.6K
$7.13 COP 29.7K
$14.25 COP 59.4K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19 COP 4,943
$0.78 COP 3,253
$1.49 COP 6,210
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38 COP 9,919
$1.41 COP 5,894
$3.54 COP 14.8K
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.85 COP 3,532
$0.72 COP 3,015
$0.94 COP 3,919
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$40.8 COP 170.1K
$36 COP 150.1K
$50.4 COP 210.1K
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.41 COP 5,880
$1.16 COP 4,825
$1.89 COP 7,866
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.91 COP 7,969
$1.2 COP 4,996
$2.87 COP 12K
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.03 COP 33.5K
$6.17 COP 25.7K
$11.12 COP 46.4K
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.95 COP 3,976
$0.91 COP 3,773
$0.99 COP 4,138
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.7K COP 73.8M
$14.4K COP 59.9M
$18.4K COP 76.8M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7K COP 111.5M
$26.7K COP 111.5M
$30.1K COP 125.7M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$81.3 COP 339K
$53.4 COP 222.8K
$119 COP 498.1K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.4 COP 39.2K
$5.88 COP 24.5K
$16.47 COP 68.7K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.74 COP 99K
$17.99 COP 75K
$35.26 COP 147K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$25.69 COP 107.1K
$17.03 COP 71K
$36.5 COP 152.2K
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.71 COP 78K
$10.7 COP 44.6K
$21.39 COP 89.2K
Cinema Ticket
$4.04 COP 16.8K
$3.42 COP 14.3K
$6.11 COP 25.5K
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$315 COP 1.3M
$197 COP 821.2K
$492 COP 2.1M
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,040 COP 25.2M
$4,420 COP 18.4M
$8,840 COP 36.9M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.2 COP 242.7K
$35.86 COP 149.5K
$83.7 COP 348.8K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.67 COP 132K
$16.65 COP 69.4K
$59.5 COP 248K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$100 COP 418.9K
$60 COP 250.1K
$144 COP 600.2K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108 COP 449.4K
$48.94 COP 204K
$159 COP 663.1K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$477 COP 2M
$263 COP 1.1M
$955 COP 4M
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$372 COP 1.5M
$230 COP 958.1K
$484 COP 2M
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$822 COP 3.4M
$574 COP 2.4M
$1,315 COP 5.5M
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$730 COP 3M
$492 COP 2.1M
$1,107 COP 4.6M
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,860 COP 7.8M
$930 COP 3.9M
$2,644 COP 11M
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,352 COP 5.6M
$1,080 COP 4.5M
$1,681 COP 7M
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$460 COP 1.9M
-
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.
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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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