Cost of Living in Cartagena, Colombia
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 189 sunny days a year.
Cartagena Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Cartagena
How Cartagena Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Cartagena is cheaper than 75% of them, but sits in the bottom 15% for safety.
| Metric | Cartagena | World rank | Rank in Latin America & Caribbean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $960 | #83 of 340 | #33 of 63 |
| Safety | 38/100 | #291 of 340 | #42 of 63 |
| Healthcare | 79/100 | #90 of 340 | #1 of 63 |
| Internet speed | 135 Mbps | #208 of 340 | #23 of 63 |
| Walkability | 62/100 | #135 of 340 | #13 of 63 |
| Public transit | 35/100 | #172 of 340 | #22 of 63 |
| Food scene | 72/100 | #178 of 340 | #24 of 63 |
| Air quality | 85/100 | #114 of 340 | #12 of 63 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Cartagena
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Cartagena.
- Santa Marta, Colombia — $751/mo, 22% cheaper, safety 38/100
- Natal, Brazil — $751/mo, 22% cheaper, safety 32/100
- Pipa, Brazil — $720/mo, 25% cheaper, safety 48/100
- El Tunco, El Salvador — $751/mo, 22% cheaper, safety 38/100
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 189 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 87 days.
Cartagena in our travel guides
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