Cartagena, Colombia

Cost of Living in Cartagena, Colombia

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Cartagena costs approximately $960 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $937. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Cartagena is a city in Colombia, where a single person can expect to spend about $960 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $937 per month, or $456 outside the centre. Internet is solid at around 135 Mbps median download speed, and Colombia offers a digital nomad visa. On safety, Cartagena scores 38/100 — below average on safety for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 89°F and winter highs around 87°F, with roughly 357 sunny days a year.

Top for Party BeachTop for Medical TourismTop for Walking TourTop for CasinoDigital nomad visaLGBTQ+ friendlyFamily friendly
Monthly Cost$960≈ $32/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$937
Internet135 Mbps
Safety38/100
Avg Temp88°F

Cartagena Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$6.80
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$49.78
McDonald's Combo Meal$10.88
Cappuccino$1.77
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$0.95
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$0.91

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.32
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$1.92
Eggs (12)$2.42
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$3.10
Apples (1 lb)$1.64
Bananas (1 lb)$0.99
Tomatoes (1 lb)$0.82
Potatoes (1 lb)$0.80
Water (1.5L Bottle)$0.68
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$17.79
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$2.58

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$0.98
Monthly Transit Pass$32.10
Taxi Start$2.72
Taxi (1 Mile)$2.72
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.14
VW Golf (New)$23,800.59

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$158.35
Mobile Phone Plan$12.16
Broadband Internet$28.02

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$39.37
Cinema Ticket$3.26
Preschool (Monthly)$159.12
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$9,520.23

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$54.40
Nike Running Shoes$140.54

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$936.61
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$456.10
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$1,583.08
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$628.34
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$277.97
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$180.05

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$404.87
Mortgage Interest Rate15%

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Cartagena

Internet135 Mbps
Safety38/100
Healthcare79/100
Public Transit35/100
Walkability62/100
Nightlife60/100
Food Scene72/100
Fine Dining10/100
Coffee Culture65/100
Air Quality85/100
Green Spaces45/100
Culture72/100
Beaches85/100
Hiking30/100
Surfing10/100
Coworking Spaces22
US Visa-Free90 days

Cartagena FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Cartagena?

A single person should budget around $960 per month in Cartagena, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs.

How much is rent in Cartagena?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Cartagena averages $937 per month, dropping to about $456 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $1,583.

Is Cartagena safe?

Cartagena scores 38/100 on safety, which is below average on safety. Tourist safety is rated 42/100.

How fast is the internet in Cartagena?

Median download speeds in Cartagena are around 135 Mbps — solid for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 22 coworking spaces in the city.

Does Colombia offer a digital nomad visa?

Yes — Colombia offers a digital nomad visa. US passport holders can typically stay 90 days visa-free before applying.

What is the weather like in Cartagena?

Cartagena sees summer highs around 89°F and winter highs near 87°F, with about 357 sunny days and 180 rainy days per year.

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