Cost of Living in Monteria - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $747 monthly including rent, or $361 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,151 with rent, or $765 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,554 including rent, or $1,169 for daily expenses alone.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.71 COP 16.8K
$3.30 COP 11.8K
$7.78 COP 27.8K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$31.22 COP 111.5K
$19.21 COP 68.6K
$42.03 COP 150.1K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.30 COP 26.1K
$6.08 COP 21.7K
$9.73 COP 34.8K
Cappuccino
$1.71 COP 6,118
$0.72 COP 2,582
$4.79 COP 17.1K
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.88 COP 3,141
$0.62 COP 2,223
$1.43 COP 5,117
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64 COP 2,280
$0.49 COP 1,765
$1.47 COP 5,258
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.31 COP 4,670
$0.72 COP 2,563
$2.36 COP 8,428
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.92 COP 6,841
$0.96 COP 3,420
$3.33 COP 11.9K
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.92 COP 3,273
$0.58 COP 2,080
$1.85 COP 6,614
White Bread (500g)
$1.32 COP 4,702
$0.74 COP 2,640
$3.92 COP 14.0K
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.03 COP 3,661
$0.72 COP 2,570
$2.63 COP 9,399
Eggs
$1.44 COP 5,129
$1.35 COP 4,811
$2.73 COP 9,763
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.66 COP 16.6K
$2.45 COP 8,767
$8.60 COP 30.7K
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.84 COP 10.1K
$2.84 COP 10.1K
$6.77 COP 24.2K
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$3.89 COP 13.9K
$3.89 COP 13.9K
$8.75 COP 31.3K
Apples (1kg)
$1.97 COP 7,032
$1.73 COP 6,162
$6.51 COP 23.2K
Banana (1kg)
$0.46 COP 1,633
$0.46 COP 1,633
$1.52 COP 5,444
Oranges (1kg)
$1.00 COP 3,556
$0.79 COP 2,823
$3.56 COP 12.7K
Tomato (1kg)
$0.82 COP 2,929
$0.62 COP 2,206
$3.79 COP 13.5K
Potato (1kg)
$0.89 COP 3,190
$0.59 COP 2,092
$0.93 COP 3,327
Onion (1kg)
$1.01 COP 3,615
$1.01 COP 3,615
$1.76 COP 6,298
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.82 COP 2,924
$0.47 COP 1,671
$2.36 COP 8,423
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.46 COP 1,652
$0.35 COP 1,239
$0.82 COP 2,926
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.77 COP 9,886
$2.55 COP 9,106
$2.89 COP 10.3K
Wine (Bottle)
$9.52 COP 34.0K
$4.76 COP 17.0K
$14.56 COP 52.0K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.86 COP 3,080
$0.61 COP 2,170
$1.19 COP 4,234
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.28 COP 4,578
$0.96 COP 3,416
$2.39 COP 8,522
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.69 COP 2,449
$0.64 COP 2,274
$0.77 COP 2,763
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$29.84 COP 106.5K
$7.22 COP 25.8K
$39.70 COP 141.8K
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.92 COP 6,852
$1.43 COP 5,121
$2.39 COP 8,547
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.82 COP 10.1K
$2.36 COP 8,411
$2.82 COP 10.1K
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.44 COP 15.9K
$3.70 COP 13.2K
$6.16 COP 22.0K
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.97 COP 3,480
$0.84 COP 3,009
$1.11 COP 3,951
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$13.9K COP 49.8M
$13.9K COP 49.8M
$15.6K COP 55.8M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.7K COP 81.2M
$20.9K COP 74.7M
$34.7K COP 123.8M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$97.2 COP 347.1K
$97.2 COP 347.1K
$177 COP 632.3K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.06 COP 25.2K
$5.87 COP 21.0K
$9.40 COP 33.6K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.73 COP 70.5K
$19.73 COP 70.5K
$24.17 COP 86.3K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$23.31 COP 83.2K
$15.91 COP 56.8K
$28.93 COP 103.3K
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.64 COP 34.4K
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.98 COP 14.2K
$2.99 COP 10.7K
$6.22 COP 22.2K
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$167 COP 596.7K
$167 COP 596.7K
$167 COP 596.7K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,784 COP 6.4M
$1,427 COP 5.1M
$4,282 COP 15.3M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.6 COP 212.7K
$47.65 COP 170.2K
$66.7 COP 238.2K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.36 COP 69.1K
$19.36 COP 69.1K
$72.6 COP 259.3K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$61.4 COP 219.3K
$61.4 COP 219.3K
$111 COP 394.7K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$36.85 COP 131.6K
$36.85 COP 131.6K
$86.0 COP 307.0K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$282 COP 1.0M
$181 COP 646.9K
$290 COP 1.0M
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$236 COP 841.1K
$120 COP 427.7K
$323 COP 1.2M
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$520 COP 1.9M
$322 COP 1.1M
$687 COP 2.5M
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$422 COP 1.5M
$215 COP 767.3K
$501 COP 1.8M
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,634 COP 5.8M
$1,133 COP 4.0M
$1,960 COP 7.0M
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,204 COP 4.3M
$797 COP 2.8M
$1,449 COP 5.2M
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$358 COP 1.3M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10
10
10

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

Last update: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $282 for a central one-bedroom, or $236 outside the center. At 79% of the average salary ($358), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $358, while typical expenses reach $747. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $132 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $31.00 for two.

Public transport is priced at around $29.84 per month.

Cost Highlights

Chicken fillets is cheaper than 96% of cities in South America

Taxi is more expensive than 95% of cities in South America

Eggs is cheaper than 95% of cities in South America

Monteria 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
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Cost of Living in Monteria - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Monteria an affordable choice for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare to larger Colombian cities?
Compared with Bogotá or Medellín, Monteria often offers a friendlier price-to-value balance for daily life and a relaxed pace that suits travelers, expats, and digital nomads. Cost of Living in Monteria tends to feel accessible if you enjoy warm weather, fresh produce, and local eateries. Housing can be affordable in certain districts, especially outside the core centro, while co-working and casual work perks are present but sparser than in bigger cities. Transportation remains practical with buses and rideshares, and you can navigate without high costs if you plan ahead. Tip: start with short-term leases to test neighborhoods and your budget.
What does daily life look like in Monteria regarding housing search, groceries, transport, and coworking options?
Daily life centers on accessible amenities and a friendly local scene. For housing search, you will find a mix of options – from green, leafy neighborhoods to more urban cores – often with monthly rents that reflect size and location. Groceries and casual eats come at modest prices, especially if you shop at markets and support local producers. Transport hinges on bus routes and ride-hailing options, with compact driving becoming common in smaller towns nearby. Co-working spaces exist, but you may choose cafés for focus, balancing noise and atmosphere. Monteria living cost varies by area, season, and lifestyle – plan with a flexible budget. Tip: map a few neighborhoods before committing to a place.
What budgeting approach and neighborhood fit help you maximize quality of life in Monteria, considering seasonality and lifestyle?
A practical budgeting framework helps you align costs with your lifestyle. List essentials (rent, utilities, groceries) and discretionary items, then set simple monthly caps for each category. In Monteria, seasonality can shift shopping and leisure patterns, so adjust plans for busier weekends or festivals. Neighborhood choice shapes your costs and daily rhythm: central areas are convenient, quieter zones feel more relaxed, and proximity to the river can affect ambiance and prices. Track transport, co-working, and dining habits, and mix cooking with occasional meals out. Tip: build a small cushion for unexpected repairs or trips and revisit your plan every few weeks.
Why is Monteria considered affordable?
Compared to most cities worldwide, Monteria is just cheap – all-in costs average $747 monthly. Both housing and daily necessities sit below the international median, which explains its popularity with budget travelers, nomads, and locals on modest incomes.
Is Monteria expensive to live in?
Your money goes further in Monteria than in most cities its size. Expect to spend roughly $747 per month with housing included – groceries, transport, and eating out are all priced well below what you'd pay in comparable urban centers.
Can you save money on an average salary in Monteria?
At $358 take-home, most residents in Monteria can cover the $747 monthly cost of living. Those earning $1,121 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.
What are typical rents in Monteria?
Where you live in Monteria makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $282; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $236. Overall, the market runs from $236 to $282 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
How expensive is a gym membership in Monteria?
Fitness in Monteria is cheap at around $23.31 monthly for a standard gym. It's one of the lighter items in the budget, making it easy to stay active without worrying about the cost.
How cheap is food in Monteria?
Monteria is great for eating affordably at home. Monthly grocery bills run about $132, and local produce is plentiful and well-priced, making home cooking both practical and cost-effective.
Can you live on $800 a month in Monteria?
$800 stretches far in Monteria – all-in monthly costs average only $747. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.
What is quality of life like in Monteria?
Monteria offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value fast internet, vibrant nightlife, wellness scene, and at around $747 per month, it's accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.
Can you save money living in Monteria?
Monthly expenses in Monteria run around $747, so putting money aside takes more than $1,121 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.
Is Monteria good for backpackers on a budget?
Budget travelers love Monteria – low prices across accommodation, food, and transport make it one of the most backpacker-friendly cities around. Long-stay costs come to just $747 monthly; short-term visitors can get by on even less with hostels and local food.

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