🇨🇴 Bogotá vs 🇨🇴 Medellín

Cost of living comparison · 2026

🇨🇴

Bogotá

Colombia

$985–$1,559/mo

$4,104,167 – $6,495,833 / month (local)

🇨🇴

Medellín

Colombia

$862–$1,364/mo

$3,591,667 – $5,683,333 / month (local)

Bogotá is 14% more expensive

Medellín wins on affordability

Cost breakdown

CategoryBogotá (USD)Medellín (USD)Winner
Rent (1-bed, city center)$738–$1,149$646–$1,005🟢 Medellín
Rent (1-bed, outside center)$390–$615$341–$538🟢 Medellín
Utilities$31–$59$27–$52🟢 Medellín
Groceries$156–$234$136–$205🟢 Medellín
Eating out (mid-range meal)$21–$37$18–$32🟢 Medellín
Public transport (monthly)$39–$47$34–$41🟢 Medellín
Internet & Mobile$12–$21$11–$18🟢 Medellín
Gym membership$14–$27$13–$23🟢 Medellín
Cinema ticket$6–$7$5–$6🟢 Medellín
Monthly total (single)$985–$1,559$862–$1,364🟢 Medellín

See how your salary compares in both cities

Enter monthly take-home in USD. We compare to our estimated budget range for your household (not financial advice).

Quality of life comparison

Housing8.6 / 10 · 7.6 / 10
Bogotá▲ better
Medellín
Safety9.5 / 10 · 8.3 / 10
Bogotá▲ better
Medellín
Healthcare7.8 / 10 · 8.3 / 10
Bogotá
Medellín▲ better
Education7.4 / 10 · 7.9 / 10
Bogotá
Medellín▲ better
Environment8.2 / 10 · 8.7 / 10
Bogotá
Medellín▲ better
Economy8.2 / 10 · 7.0 / 10
Bogotá▲ better
Medellín
Culture8.8 / 10 · 7.6 / 10
Bogotá▲ better
Medellín
Internet9.2 / 10 · 8.0 / 10
Bogotá▲ better
Medellín

Who should choose which city?

Choose Bogotá if…

  • ✓You're happy to pay more for what Bogotá offers vs Medellín
  • ✓Altitude climate
  • ✓Startup scene
  • ✓Value
  • ✓BPO

Choose Medellín if…

  • ✓You want lower typical monthly costs than Bogotá
  • ✓Spring climate
  • ✓Digital nomads
  • ✓Value
  • ✓Remote work

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Full Bogotá guide

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Full Medellín guide

See all costs, neighborhoods and quality of life scores

Explore Medellín →