Colombia
Cost of Living in Cartagena
Monthly Total
$1,940
$33,950
Housing (1BR Mid-range)
$1,093
Daily Spend (ex. rent)
$28
Based on a typical expat lifestyle: 1BR furnished apartment, mix of cooking/eating out, rideshare transportation, moderate entertainment. Last updated: 1/13/2026.
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Housing (Rent)
1BR furnished apartment in mid-range neighborhood
$1,093
$19,128
Utilities
Electric, water, gas, and internet
$144
$2,520
Groceries
Groceries from supermarkets
$161
$2,818
Dining Out
Mix of casual restaurants, ~12 meals/month
$96
$1,680
Transportation
Rideshare (Uber/Didi), ~30 rides/month
$120
$2,100
Lifestyle & Entertainment
Entertainment, occasional cleaning service
$198
$3,465
Healthcare
Basic private health insurance
$85
$1,488
Phone & Subscriptions
Phone plan and streaming subscriptions
$44
$770
Monthly Total
$1,940
$33,950
Recommended PartnerDon't skip health insurance
Cost estimates are great for budgeting, but real coverage protects you when something goes wrong.
A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR
Living in Cartagena
Cartagena is 15-20% more expensive than other Colombian cities due to tourism. AC is essential (adds $50-80/month to electricity). Old City and Bocagrande most expensive, Getsemaní gentrifying, Manga offers quieter residential option. Tourism markup on restaurants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Compare Cartagena to Other Cities
See how Cartagena stacks up against other popular expat destinations in Mexico.
Customize Your Comparison