Cost of Living in Medellin - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $560 (excluding rent), and $1,014 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,380 (excluding rent), and $2,178 including rent.
Currency
Do you live in Medellin? Add cost details
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.14 COP 22.2K
$3.69 COP 13.3K
$11.07 COP 40.0K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.05 COP 119.3K
$24.49 COP 88.4K
$48.98 COP 176.8K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.32 COP 26.4K
$6.09 COP 22.0K
$8.29 COP 29.9K
Cappuccino
$1.66 COP 5,987
$0.84 COP 3,047
$2.40 COP 8,675
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10 COP 3,987
$0.75 COP 2,695
$1.98 COP 7,162
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78 COP 2,822
$0.55 COP 1,994
$1.26 COP 4,553
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.71 COP 6,188
$0.98 COP 3,531
$2.44 COP 8,809
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.17 COP 11.5K
$2.23 COP 8,037
$4.04 COP 14.6K
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.11 COP 4,012
$0.75 COP 2,712
$1.72 COP 6,204
White Bread (500g)
$1.31 COP 4,719
$0.75 COP 2,691
$2.97 COP 10.7K
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.38 COP 4,980
$0.62 COP 2,234
$2.76 COP 9,960
Eggs
$2.22 COP 8,009
$1.54 COP 5,567
$3.47 COP 12.5K
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.34 COP 15.7K
$2.37 COP 8,539
$7.96 COP 28.7K
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.80 COP 20.9K
$2.43 COP 8,781
$9.74 COP 35.2K
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.98 COP 32.4K
$6.19 COP 22.3K
$11.88 COP 42.9K
Apples (1kg)
$2.26 COP 8,164
$1.31 COP 4,721
$3.57 COP 12.9K
Banana (1kg)
$1.11 COP 4,023
$0.72 COP 2,584
$2.23 COP 8,046
Oranges (1kg)
$1.46 COP 5,284
$0.72 COP 2,589
$2.38 COP 8,583
Tomato (1kg)
$1.37 COP 4,929
$0.47 COP 1,702
$2.13 COP 7,695
Potato (1kg)
$1.11 COP 4,009
$0.59 COP 2,145
$1.89 COP 6,822
Onion (1kg)
$1.16 COP 4,199
$0.62 COP 2,227
$1.72 COP 6,208
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.89 COP 3,211
$0.37 COP 1,344
$1.25 COP 4,517
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.87 COP 3,124
$0.43 COP 1,562
$1.31 COP 4,722
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.35 COP 8,495
$1.48 COP 5,356
$3.22 COP 11.6K
Wine (Bottle)
$10.86 COP 39.2K
$6.97 COP 25.1K
$16.72 COP 60.4K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20 COP 4,330
$0.79 COP 2,850
$1.51 COP 5,440
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48 COP 8,946
$1.47 COP 5,316
$3.69 COP 13.3K
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.79 COP 2,842
$0.67 COP 2,426
$0.87 COP 3,154
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$40.77 COP 147.2K
$35.97 COP 129.9K
$50.4 COP 181.8K
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.42 COP 5,137
$1.17 COP 4,216
$1.90 COP 6,873
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.91 COP 6,900
$1.20 COP 4,326
$2.87 COP 10.4K
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.65 COP 27.6K
$5.88 COP 21.2K
$10.60 COP 38.2K
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.97 COP 3,490
$0.92 COP 3,312
$1.01 COP 3,633
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1K COP 65.3M
$14.7K COP 53.0M
$18.8K COP 68.0M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K COP 95.0M
$26.3K COP 95.0M
$29.7K COP 107.1M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$81.3 COP 293.5K
$53.4 COP 192.9K
$119 COP 431.2K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.63 COP 34.8K
$6.02 COP 21.7K
$16.88 COP 60.9K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.36 COP 88.0K
$18.46 COP 66.6K
$36.19 COP 130.6K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$26.02 COP 93.9K
$17.25 COP 62.3K
$36.97 COP 133.4K
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.92 COP 68.3K
$10.81 COP 39.0K
$21.62 COP 78.1K
Cinema Ticket
$3.89 COP 14.0K
$3.29 COP 11.9K
$5.88 COP 21.2K
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$304 COP 1.1M
$190 COP 686.3K
$475 COP 1.7M
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,902 COP 21.3M
$4,318 COP 15.6M
$8,637 COP 31.2M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7 COP 211.8K
$36.15 COP 130.5K
$84.4 COP 304.5K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.48 COP 117.2K
$17.08 COP 61.7K
$61.0 COP 220.3K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$102 COP 367.3K
$60.7 COP 219.2K
$146 COP 526.1K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108 COP 390.4K
$49.11 COP 177.3K
$160 COP 576.1K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$474 COP 1.7M
$261 COP 942.5K
$949 COP 3.4M
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$371 COP 1.3M
$229 COP 827.5K
$483 COP 1.7M
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$848 COP 3.1M
$592 COP 2.1M
$1,356 COP 4.9M
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$716 COP 2.6M
$483 COP 1.7M
$1,087 COP 3.9M
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,871 COP 10.4M
$1,368 COP 4.9M
$3,501 COP 12.6M
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,375 COP 5.0M
$1,227 COP 4.4M
$1,957 COP 7.1M
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$542 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: April 13, 2026

Medellin Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
City tags:
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.

Medellin vs other spots: cost of living compared

Nearby cities

Similar cities