Colombia
Cost of Living in Medellín
Monthly Total
$1,653
$28,928
Housing (1BR Mid-range)
$977
Daily Spend (ex. rent)
$23
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
$977
$17,098
Utilities
Electric, water, gas, and internet
$92
$1,610
Groceries
Groceries from supermarkets
$126
$2,205
Dining Out
Mix of casual restaurants, ~12 meals/month
$60
$1,050
Transportation
Rideshare (Uber/Didi), ~30 rides/month
$90
$1,575
Lifestyle & Entertainment
Entertainment, occasional cleaning service
$193
$3,378
Healthcare
Basic private health insurance
$75
$1,313
Phone & Subscriptions
Phone plan and streaming subscriptions
$39
$683
Monthly Total
$1,653
$28,928
Don't skip health insurance
Cost estimates are great for budgeting, but real coverage protects you when something goes wrong.
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Living in Medellín
Medellín offers excellent value with comfortable lifestyle possible at $1,500-2,500/month. El Poblado is most expensive (expat hub), Laureles offers better value with authentic feel, Envigado is most affordable with family-friendly vibe. Estrato 4-6 neighborhoods have higher utility rates.
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