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Cities / Medellin / Cost of Living

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด Cost of Living in Medellin

How much you'll actually spend โ€” not what travel blogs tell you

Monthly budget ยท Single ยท city center

$1,127/mo

Just you and your questionable life decisions

Rent(1BR)$703
Groceries & eating out$210
Transport$69
Utilities & phones$145
Average local salary (after tax)$539/mo

The real monthly damage

Rent โ€” the biggest line item

1BR, city center$703/mo
1BR, outside center$477/mo
3BR, city center$1,292/mo
3BR, outside center$871/mo

Source: Numbeo. Prices in USD unless toggled.

Grocery prices โ€” the supermarket reality check

Milk (1L)$1.25
Bread (loaf)$1.72
Eggs (12)$2.59
Rice (1kg)$1.54
Chicken (1kg)$7.42
Apples (1kg)$3.21
Tomatoes (1kg)$1.64
Potatoes (1kg)$1.37
Water (1.5L)$1.06
Wine (mid-range)$11
Beer (0.5L)$1.29

Eating out โ€” because you won't cook every night

Cheap meal$6.99
Mid-range dinner for 2$42
Cappuccino$2.08
Beer (draught)$2.00
Coke (0.33L)$1.34

Getting around โ€” or trying to

Monthly pass$69
Single ride$0.98
Taxi start$1.68
Taxi per km$1.86
Gasoline (1L)$1.18

30-day trial run

What a month-long scouting trip costs before you commit to anything permanent.

Short-term rental$1,054
Food (2 meals + coffee/day)$482
Transport (2 rides/day)$59
SIM card$12
Total 30 days$1,607

Medellin vs. similar cities

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to live in Medellin?โ–ผ

A single person can expect to spend about $1,127/month in Medellin, including rent in the city center, groceries, transport, and utilities. Couples need roughly $1,418/month.

What is the average salary in Medellin?โ–ผ

The average monthly net salary (after tax) in Medellin is about $539, according to Numbeo data.

Is Medellin expensive compared to other cities?โ–ผ

Compared to similar cities: Rio de Janeiro ($1,111/mo), Buenos Aires ($1,615/mo), Florianopolis ($987/mo), Bangkok ($982/mo), Phuket ($1,065/mo). Medellin comes in at $1,127/mo for a single person.

Cost data sourced from Numbeo. Updated periodically.