Cost of Living in Medellin vs Cartagena

Cost of living in Medellin is 6% lower than in Cartagena (without rent).

Rent in Medellin is 37% cheaper than in Cartagena.

Cost of living including rent in Medellin is 23% lower than in Cartagena.

Food in Medellin is 30% cheaper than in Cartagena.

Transport in Medellin is 186% more expensive than in Cartagena.

Medellin vs. Cartagena Comparision

Medellin Cartagena
Cost of Living, including rent
873 $
1,136 $
Without Rent
478 $
511 $
Rent & Utilities
395 $
625 $
Food
264 $
376 $
Transport
130 $
46 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
417 $
1,750 $
Quality of Life
53
76
Population
2.5M
218.0K

Compare other cities?

Medellin Cartagena

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
5.77 $ 13.2 $
Dinner, for 2 24 $ 55.5 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 6.82 $ 7.8 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 1.83 $ 2.77 $
Capuccino 1.96 $ 2.19 $
Coke, 330ml 0.98 $ 2.14 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.06 $ 1.06 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 1.28 $ 0.98 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.18 $ 1.53 $
Eggs, 12 pack 2.21 $ 2.81 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 5.4 $ 11.3 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 5.4 $ 8.13 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 10.2 $ 13.5 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.22 $ 2.2 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 0.92 $ 1.8 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.26 $ 1.36 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.07 $ 1.07 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.14 $ 1.04 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.53 $ 0.38 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 1.59 $ 1.74 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 10.7 $ 5.52 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 1.05 $ 1.07 $
Cigarette pack 2.18 $ 5.52 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 0.72 $ 1.33 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 43 $ 11 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 0.98 $ 1.74 $
Taxi, 8 km 12.7 $ 12.9 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 35.3 $ 64.4 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 5.27 $ 7.95 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 4.2 $ 3.16 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 2.89 $ 1.77 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.22 $ 1.91 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
45.7 $ 90.7 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
70.3 $ 139 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
21.7 $ 30.3 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 300 $ 466 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 646 $ 752 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 436 $ 660 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 864 $ 859 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 1,473 $ 1,657 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 1,403 $ 1,393 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 417 $ 1,750 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 15.54 % 3.61 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 27 $ 38.4 $
Cinema, 1 seat 4.13 $ 7.69 $
Haircut 8.07 $ 8.74 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 91.7 $ 42.9 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 56.2 $ 42.7 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 239 $ 410 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 6,129 $ 2,660 $