Cost of Living in Tunja - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $1,280 per month with rent, or $792 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $2,036 per month with rent, or $1,348 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $2,791 per month with rent, or $1,903 without housing.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.15 COP 25.6K
$5.22 COP 16.4K
$13.04 COP 41.0K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.25 COP 129.7K
$25.38 COP 79.8K
$63.5 COP 199.5K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.96 COP 31.3K
$7.90 COP 24.8K
$12.65 COP 39.8K
Cappuccino
$2.53 COP 7,944
$1.39 COP 4,369
$4.32 COP 13.6K
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.34 COP 4,213
$0.96 COP 3,032
$1.93 COP 6,064
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.88 COP 2,771
$0.65 COP 2,030
$1.30 COP 4,092
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.95 COP 6,118
$0.97 COP 3,059
$3.89 COP 12.2K
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.75 COP 11.8K
$2.51 COP 7,876
$5.62 COP 17.7K
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.65 COP 5,197
$0.88 COP 2,759
$2.91 COP 9,143
White Bread (500g)
$2.45 COP 7,702
$1.28 COP 4,025
$5.11 COP 16.1K
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.63 COP 5,121
$0.76 COP 2,401
$2.42 COP 7,618
Eggs
$3.69 COP 11.6K
$1.66 COP 5,205
$6.10 COP 19.2K
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.15 COP 22.5K
$3.14 COP 9,884
$18.86 COP 59.3K
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.52 COP 23.6K
$3.98 COP 12.5K
$11.25 COP 35.3K
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.64 COP 33.5K
$5.75 COP 18.1K
$14.39 COP 45.2K
Apples (1kg)
$3.35 COP 10.5K
$1.86 COP 5,842
$4.19 COP 13.2K
Banana (1kg)
$1.80 COP 5,672
$0.97 COP 3,061
$3.90 COP 12.2K
Oranges (1kg)
$1.95 COP 6,114
$1.13 COP 3,553
$4.84 COP 15.2K
Tomato (1kg)
$1.75 COP 5,495
$0.78 COP 2,452
$3.13 COP 9,841
Potato (1kg)
$1.50 COP 4,724
$0.49 COP 1,553
$3.26 COP 10.3K
Onion (1kg)
$1.41 COP 4,447
$0.64 COP 2,001
$1.70 COP 5,337
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.32 COP 4,150
$0.78 COP 2,447
$2.38 COP 7,495
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.09 COP 3,429
$0.62 COP 1,946
$1.74 COP 5,467
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.49 COP 14.1K
$3.99 COP 12.5K
$4.82 COP 15.2K
Wine (Bottle)
$12.63 COP 39.7K
$5.05 COP 15.9K
$20.52 COP 64.5K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.43 COP 4,496
$1.02 COP 3,194
$1.89 COP 5,953
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.93 COP 9,225
$1.85 COP 5,823
$4.82 COP 15.1K
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.16 COP 3,635
$1.03 COP 3,249
$1.16 COP 3,635
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.94 COP 2,955
$0.94 COP 2,955
$2.44 COP 7,659
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.46 COP 7,743
$2.26 COP 7,103
$3.23 COP 10.1K
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$9.41 COP 29.6K
$7.53 COP 23.7K
$15.68 COP 49.3K
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.32 COP 4,146
$1.28 COP 4,021
$1.41 COP 4,426
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.9K COP 69.0M
$18.8K COP 59.1M
$26.6K COP 83.8M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.5K COP 111.6M
$34.5K COP 108.3M
$37.8K COP 118.7M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$128 COP 401.5K
$96.9 COP 304.7K
$162 COP 507.8K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.14 COP 50.7K
$7.57 COP 23.8K
$28.39 COP 89.2K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.38 COP 98.6K
$25.68 COP 80.7K
$43.33 COP 136.2K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$40.35 COP 126.8K
$26.18 COP 82.3K
$46.96 COP 147.6K
Cinema Ticket
$7.74 COP 24.3K
$4.64 COP 14.6K
$7.74 COP 24.3K
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$482 COP 1.5M
$129 COP 404.4K
$1,286 COP 4.0M
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,518 COP 20.5M
$2,588 COP 8.1M
$15.9K COP 49.8M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$81.6 COP 256.5K
$38.58 COP 121.3K
$96.5 COP 303.2K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.1 COP 157.5K
$31.98 COP 100.5K
$64.0 COP 201.1K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$139 COP 437.3K
$94.0 COP 295.4K
$188 COP 590.8K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111 COP 347.6K
$77.9 COP 244.8K
$196 COP 617.0K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$682 COP 2.1M
$473 COP 1.5M
$738 COP 2.3M
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$472 COP 1.5M
$314 COP 988.3K
$692 COP 2.2M
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,033 COP 3.2M
$480 COP 1.5M
$1,107 COP 3.5M
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$945 COP 3.0M
$489 COP 1.5M
$950 COP 3.0M
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,163 COP 6.8M
$1,499 COP 4.7M
$2,203 COP 6.9M
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,848 COP 5.8M
$712 COP 2.2M
$1,848 COP 5.8M
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
12.81
11
15

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

Last update: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Groceries cost around $261 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $41.00.

Cost Highlights

1-bedroom apartment, city center is more expensive than 94% of cities in South America

3-bedroom apartment, outside city center is more expensive than 93% of cities in South America

Taxi is more expensive than 92% of cities in South America

Tunja 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 Tunja - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tunja a good value for money overall, and who tends to find it especially affordable compared with other Colombian cities?
Yes, for many travelers and long-term visitors, Tunja offers approachable value compared with larger Colombian cities. The city blends reasonable housing options, affordable everyday meals, and a climate that keeps basic costs predictable. You’ll find that smaller apartments in central or university-adjacent areas are convenient and often more affordable than in Bogotá or Medellín, while keeping short commutes to services. The vibe favors steady routines and walkable streets, which helps you budget time and money. Cost of Living in Tunja reflects this practical balance, making it appealing for remote workers, students, and curious explorers. Tip: Look for longer stays in neighborhoods near plazas to maximize value.
What does daily life look like in Tunja in terms of housing search, food options, transport, and errands for a visitor or expat?
Housing search is smoother when you focus on university corridors, historic centers, or newer residential blocks outside peak demand. Expect a mix of small studios and larger flats, with rents and inclusions varying by location and building age. For daily life, aim to shop at local mercados for fresh produce, try casual eateries for reliable, budget-friendly meals, and use buses or bikes for short trips. Co-working spaces and cafes near campuses can help you balance work and errands, while libraries and public halls host events that help you connect. Tunja’s pace supports efficient routines, especially if you map quick shopping routes and transit options. Tip: Start with a week of cafe-hopping to test work setups.
What’s the quality of life like in Tunja, how should you budget and seasonally adapt, and how to choose a neighborhood that fits your lifestyle?
Quality of life in Tunja blends a serene, small-city feel with accessible services and a strong sense of community. You can structure a simple budget around housing, groceries, and transport by tracking recurring costs rather than chasing market swings. The climate and high-altitude setting create predictable daily routines, with occasional rain that shapes what you wear and where you walk. For neighborhood fit, explore the historic center, student corridors, and quieter outskirts to balance access, safety, and pace. The [location] living cost framework helps you compare choices as you plan short or long stays, and it can guide season-specific activity planning. Tip: Create a flexible weekly plan that emphasizes local markets, public transit, and inexpensive outings.
What is the average cost of living in Tunja?
A single person in Tunja typically spends $1,280 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $792. The final number shifts depending on your neighborhood, eating habits, and general lifestyle.
Is Tunja worth the cost of living?
Tunja is mid-range – monthly costs with rent reach about $1,280. For most residents, that's a fair trade: urban amenities, services, and job access without major-hub prices.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Tunja?
You'll want at least $1,921 per month after taxes to live comfortably in Tunja. That covers a decent apartment, groceries, utilities, transport, and enough left over for dining out occasionally. Families or people wanting a central location should budget higher.
How much is rent in Tunja?
A central one-bedroom apartment in Tunja runs about $682 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $472. Location makes a big difference here – and furnished places or short-term rentals will cost more on top of these figures.
Is food expensive in Tunja?
Grocery spending in Tunja lands around $261 per month for one person – not cheap, not expensive. Local produce and staples are fairly priced, though imported goods and specialty items cost more. Overall, food is a manageable part of the budget.
What is a typical grocery budget in Tunja?
Groceries in Tunja run about $261 monthly for one person – a moderate figure that matches the city's overall cost level. Local markets and supermarkets cover most needs, and food costs are manageable without strict budgeting.
Can a person live on $1,000 monthly in Tunja?
$1,000 is below the $1,280 average in Tunja, so it's tight but not impossible. You'll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.
Can you retire comfortably in Tunja?
Tunja makes a good retirement base. About $1,921 per month covers housing, healthcare, and everyday needs with enough left for some leisure and travel. It strikes a nice balance between cost and comfort.
How affordable is Tunja?
Tunja is neither cheap nor expensive – it sits comfortably in the middle. Monthly costs with rent run about $1,280, a figure most working professionals can handle without major financial stress.
Is Tunja good for backpackers?
Tunja is doable for backpackers, though it takes more planning than cheaper destinations. Monthly costs average $1,280, so daily spending is moderate. Hostels, local food, and public transport keep things in check, but attractions and nightlife can push costs up.

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