✦ Cost of living
Medellín
Medellín, Colombia
US = 100
In plain terms: Medellín is about 51% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $550/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing42−58%
- Food & groceries48−52%
- Transport40−60%
- Utilities55−45%
- Healthcare55−45%
- Goods & services58−42%
About
“City of Eternal Spring”
A dramatic turnaround story with a year-round spring climate and a modern metro. El Poblado and Laureles anchor a booming nomad scene; costs are low and healthcare excellent, but safety still varies sharply by neighbourhood.
- Currency
- Colombian peso · COP
- Languages
- Spanish
- Coordinates
- 6.24, -75.58
- Emergency
- 123
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
39%
Income tax
progressive
19%
VAT / sales
35%
Corporate
$450
Avg net salary
per month
Visas & residency
The V-type Digital Nomad visa and M-type migrant visas make it a popular, affordable Latin-American base.
✈ 90 days visa-free (extendable to 180/year) for many passports.
Up to 2 years; ~$1,000/mo income.
Max stay: 24 months
Work, marriage or investment routes.
Permanent residence after ~5 yrs.
Quality of life
Safety
48/100
Healthcare
70/100
Pollution
55/100
Internet
80 Mbps
Jan avg
+22 °C
Jul avg
+22 °C
Sunny days
200/yr
Walkability
55/100
Public transit
68/100
Family-friendly
58/100
Living there
- English spoken
- Low
- Expat community
- Large
- Coworking spaces
- 40
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
Popular areas
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: 2026-08-14 · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
? Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Medellín, CO?
Medellín, CO's cost-of-living index is 49 (US average = 100) — about 51% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $550 per month.
What are the average living costs in Medellín, CO?
Living costs in Medellín, CO are about 51% cheaper than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 49 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $550. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Medellín, CO?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $550 per month, and around $350 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in Colombia?
Colombia has a top income-tax rate of 39% and a VAT or sales tax of 19%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Medellín, CO?
Medellín, CO averages around +22 °C in January and +22 °C in July, with roughly 200 sunny days a year.
Is Medellín, CO safe?
Medellín, CO scores 48 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
❖ Compare Medellín with…
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.