Apart from its friendly locals and enjoying an eternal spring, a lot of people move to Medellin for its low cost of living. Medellin is not the cheapest city to live in Colombia (Bucaramanga would be cheaper). However, the cost of living in Medellin is still lower than that of bigger cities’ like LA or Tokyo.

How much should you at least earn a month to be able to live in Medellin? People will always say that it will ultimately depend on your lifestyle. Long story short though, you can live pretty comfortably in Medellin at around 1,000 to 1,500 USD/month.

As of writing, the minimum wage in Colombia is 828,116 COP (248 USD). A lot of local families live on that budget, so imagine what you can do with four times that amount! As a fellow expat shared, he could afford to live in Laureles, take Uber everywhere, eat out 99% of the month, hire a maid, and a personal trainer all for 1,500 USD/month.

In the following table, we break down the different expenses and the typical amount expats budget for that expense.

ExpenseLower Budget Mid-higher Budget
Rent400 to 600 USD/ month
For a furnished studio or 1-bedroom in Laureles
(1,350,000 to 2,015,000 COP)		700 to 1,000 USD
For a furnished studio or 1-bedroom in El Poblado
( 2,350,000 to 3,350,000 COP)
Internet 40 USD/month for 10 to 20 MBPs
or 134,000 COP/month
(can get lower if you apply from the same provider as your mobile)		125 USD for 300 MBPs
or 420,000 COP/month
(can get lower if you apply from the same provider as your mobile)
Mobile Data17.35 USD/month (58,000 COP/month for 8GB postpaid plan from Claro)
20.63 USD/month
(69,000 COP/month for unlimited data plan from Avantel)		39 to 42 USD/month
(130,000 to 140,000 COP/month for 40 GB postpaid plans from Claro/Movistar)
Utilities 50 USD/month
(170,000 COP) for basic usage		70 USD/month
(23,000 COP/month)
Transportation 40 USD/
135,000 COP
Metro card for a month plus Uber from time to time		180 USD/month
(6 USD/day x 30)
600,000 COP/month
(20,000 COP/day x 30)
If you take Uber everywhere
Groceries 85 to 100 USD/month
(285,000 to 350,000 COP/month)
Go to farmer's markets or look out for discounts at Exito)		150 to 200 USD/month
(502,000 to 670,000 COP/month)
Entertainment 200 USD/month
(670,000 COP/month)
including some dining out, going to bars from time to time (2 to 3 USD/drink), or hanging out at coffee shops		300 to 400 USD/month
(1,003,562 to 1,338,083 COP) including dining out at mid-range restaurants and going to bars from time to time (8 to 10 USD /drink for more expensive bars); really depends on your kind of entertainment
Insurance 75 to 90 USD/month* depending on preferred package, age and conditions
(252,000 to 302,185 COP/month)		125 to 220 USD/month for top tier packages depending on your age
(419,700 to 738,672 COP/month)
Miscellaneous 120 to 150 USD/month
(400,000 to 500,000 COP/month)
This might include some quick travel and leisure, clothing, or an affordable 60,000 COP/month gym membership		250 to 350 USD/month
(840,000 to 1,175,160 COP/month)
This might include some quick travel and leisure, clothing, or an affordable 60,000 COP/month gym membership
TOTAL 1,027.35 to 1,290.63 USD/month
(3,450,000 to 4,334,000 COP/month)		 1,939 to 2,587 USD/month
(6,510,000 to 8,690,000 COP/month)

 

The cost of living in Medellin will ultimately depend on your lifestyle. If you cook a lot of meals at home and do not go out that much, then you can still save a lot from a 1,000 USD/month budget. If you do eat out and drink a lot and want to live in the most expensive neighborhoods in El Poblado, then even 5,000 USD/month will still probably feel small.

Are you a single person? What’s your biggest expense apart from rent each month? Any tips on saving while living in Medellin? Share in the comments!

*The health insurance depends on your age and home country. You can get a quote from World Nomad here.

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Featured image source: www.mind42.com