Medellin, Colombia

Cost of Living in Medellin, Colombia

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Medellin costs approximately $940 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $642. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Medellin is a city in Colombia, where a single person can expect to spend about $940 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $642 per month, or $450 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 207 Mbps median download speed, and Colombia offers a digital nomad visa. On safety, Medellin scores 35/100 — below average on safety for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 82°F and winter highs around 76°F, with roughly 357 sunny days a year.

Top for CoworkingTop for Late NightTop for Medical TourismTop for Coffee CultureDigital nomad visaLGBTQ+ friendlyFamily friendly
Monthly Cost$940≈ $31/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$642
Internet207 Mbps
Safety35/100
Avg Temp79°F

Medellin Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$6.80
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$35.36
McDonald's Combo Meal$8.16
Cappuccino$1.93
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$1.90
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$0.87

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.17
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$1.44
Eggs (12)$2.43
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$3.23
Apples (1 lb)$1.26
Bananas (1 lb)$0.54
Tomatoes (1 lb)$0.69
Potatoes (1 lb)$0.60
Water (1.5L Bottle)$1.02
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$9.61
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$3.36

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$0.94
Monthly Transit Pass$67.46
Taxi Start$1.50
Taxi (1 Mile)$2.91
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.14
VW Golf (New)$23,933.87

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$93.84
Mobile Phone Plan$11.49
Broadband Internet$27.34

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$29.97
Cinema Ticket$4.49
Preschool (Monthly)$612.95
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$7,498.80

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$73.38
Nike Running Shoes$120.85

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$641.74
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$449.75
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$1,225.82
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$829.42
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$282.10
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$124.35

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$542.62
Mortgage Interest Rate11%

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Medellin

Internet207 Mbps
Safety35/100
Healthcare79/100
Public Transit55/100
Walkability62/100
Nightlife68/100
Food Scene74/100
Fine Dining10/100
Coffee Culture85/100
Air Quality83/100
Green Spaces60/100
Culture55/100
Beaches65/100
Hiking70/100
Surfing0/100
Coworking Spaces55
US Visa-Free90 days

Neighborhoods in Medellin

El Poblado · Laureles · Envigado

Communities & Expat Groups

Medellín Expats & Digital Nomads · Digital Nomads Medellin · Medellin Rooms & Expat Info

Medellin FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Medellin?

A single person should budget around $940 per month in Medellin, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs.

How much is rent in Medellin?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Medellin averages $642 per month, dropping to about $450 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $1,226.

Is Medellin safe?

Medellin scores 35/100 on safety, which is below average on safety. Tourist safety is rated 45/100.

How fast is the internet in Medellin?

Median download speeds in Medellin are around 207 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 55 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 Medellin?

Medellin sees summer highs around 82°F and winter highs near 76°F, with about 357 sunny days and 245 rainy days per year.

Medellin in our travel guides

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