Medellín skyline

🇨🇴Cost of Living in Medellín

Colombia · Population: 2,500,000 · Cost Index: 26/100

Cost of Living in Medellín

Colombia · South America

Medellín is Colombia's second-largest city, nestled in the Aburrá Valley of the Andes and celebrated for its year-round spring-like climate. Once notorious for its turbulent past, the city has undergone a remarkable transformation and is now a popular destination for digital nomads and entrepreneurs thanks to its low cost of living and innovative urban planning.

2,500,000

Population

26

Cost Index

42

Safety Index

52

Quality of Life

Average Monthly Cost: $700 (single person, excluding rent)

Cost Breakdown

Housing

Avg: $525.00
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$450.00
1-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$280.00
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$850.00
3-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$520.00

Food & Groceries

Avg: $4.21
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant(per meal)
$3.50
Meal for 2 at Mid-Range Restaurant(per meal)
$22.00
McMeal at McDonald's(per meal)
$5.50
Milk (1 liter)(per liter)
$0.95
Bread (500g loaf)(per loaf)
$1.00
Rice (1 kg)(per kg)
$0.90
Eggs (12)(per dozen)
$1.60
Chicken Breast (1 kg)(per kg)
$3.80
Apples (1 kg)(per kg)
$2.00
Banana (1 kg)(per kg)
$0.80

Transportation

Avg: $6.17
Monthly Public Transit Pass(per month)
$28.00
One-Way Ticket (Local Transport)(per trip)
$0.70
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)(base fare)
$0.90
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)(per km)
$0.55
Gasoline (1 liter)(per liter)
$0.70

Utilities

Avg: $29.67
Basic Utilities (85m² Apartment)(per month)
$55.00
Mobile Phone Plan(per month)
$12.00
Internet (60 Mbps+)(per month)
$22.00

Healthcare

Avg: $13.00
Doctor Visit(per visit)
$18.00
Dentist Visit(per visit)
$15.00
Prescription Medicine (avg)(per prescription)
$6.00

Entertainment

Avg: $8.20
Fitness Club Monthly(per month)
$25.00
Cinema Ticket(per ticket)
$4.00
Cappuccino(per cup)
$1.80
Beer (0.5l) at Restaurant(per glass)
$2.00

Clothing

Avg: $36.67
Pair of Jeans (Levi's)(per pair)
$35.00
Summer Dress (Chain Store)(per item)
$20.00
Running Shoes (Nike, Adidas)(per pair)
$55.00

Compare Medellín with another city

See how Medellín stacks up against any other city in our database.

Quick Facts

Currency
COP
Language
Spanish
Cost Index
26/100
Safety Index
42/100
Quality of Life
52/100

Data last updated: 2026-01-15. Prices are approximate and shown in USD.