Living Costs in Colombia

Average Cost of Living in Bogota

The cost of living in Bogota, Colombia, as of January 2024, can be detailed as follows:

• Monthly Costs for Individuals and Rent: A single traveler's monthly costs are estimated to be around $1,192, with monthly rent averaging $355. For a single person, the estimated monthly costs are approximately COL$4,734,850. The average cost of living is about $815, while the median after-tax salary is reported to be $395. Another source cites the cost of living in Bogota as around $602 per month, with an average monthly salary of $257 and an average house rent of $334 per month.
• Housing Prices: Housing prices in Bogota vary significantly based on location and accommodation type. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center typically costs between $500 and $900 per month, while the same outside the city center ranges from $400 to $650.
• Comparison to Other Locations: Bogota's cost of living is lower than in 79% of cities in Latin America and 88% of cities worldwide. It is also 86% cheaper than New York City.

These figures provide a comprehensive view of the cost of living in Bogota, indicating that while it is relatively affordable compared to many other major cities globally, the costs can vary widely depending on specific living situations and personal lifestyle choices.

Average Cost of Living in Medellin

The cost of living in Medellin, Colombia, as of January 2024, can be summarized as follows:

• Family and Single Person Costs: For a family of four, the estimated monthly costs are approximately COL$9,470,481. For a single person, the estimated monthly costs are around COL$4,550,675. In US dollars, a single person's cost is about $889 per month, while a family's cost is around $2,126 per month. Without rent, a family of four might spend about $1,771.7 monthly, and a single person might spend around $509.2.
• Housing Costs: Renting a 1-bedroom apartment outside the city center costs about $252.1 per month. In the city center, a 3-bedroom apartment costs approximately the same. The average monthly net salary after tax is reported to be around $136.64. The cost of a nice 1-bedroom apartment ranges from $400 to $800 per month, and a 2-bedroom apartment costs between $600 and $1,200 per month.

Affordability Compared to Other Locations

Medellin's cost of living is lower than 88% of cities in Latin America. Additionally, the cost of living in Colombia is, on average, 59% lower than in the United States, and rent in Colombia is, on average, 80.9% lower than in the United States.

Average Cost of Living in Cali

The average cost of living in Cali, Colombia, as of early 2024, can be summarized as follows:

• Overall Cost of Living: The average cost of living in Cali is around $530, placing it in the top 19% of the least expensive cities globally. The median after-tax salary is approximately $335, which can cover living expenses for about 0.6 months without rent. Compared to Seattle, Cali is 75.2% less expensive (without rent). Another source reports the total cost of living to be around $544, with an average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center at about $331 per month and utilities costing around $51 per month.
• Costs for Individuals and Families: For a single person, the estimated monthly costs are around $524.3 without rent. According to Nomad List, a single person's cost is about $591 per month, while a family's cost is approximately $1,153 per month. The monthly rent is estimated at $200 per month.
• Comparison to Other Locations: Cali is 69.1% less expensive than Seattle and 88% cheaper than New York City when not considering rent.

These figures indicate that Cali offers a relatively low cost of living compared to many other cities around the world, making it an affordable option for both individuals and families. The costs can vary depending on the specific area within the city and the lifestyle choices of the residents.

Average Cost of Living in Cartagena

The average cost of living in Cartagena, Colombia, as of early 2024, can be summarized as follows:

• General Cost of Living: The average monthly cost of living in Cartagena is estimated to be around $771. This includes expenses such as rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, eating out, sports, and leisure for one person. Another source cites the average cost of living to be about $943, which places Cartagena in the top 40% of the least expensive cities globally and ranks it 1st out of 50 in Colombia.
• Costs for Individuals and Families: For a single person, the monthly costs are estimated to be $990, while for a family, the costs are about $2,267 per month. Nomad List reports a slightly different figure, with a single person's monthly cost at $1,071 and a family's at $2,413.
• Housing and Rent: The monthly rent in Cartagena is around $589. For a family of four, the estimated monthly costs without rent are approximately COL$10,113,085, and for a single person, it's about COL$4,404,390.
• Comparison to Other Locations: Cartagena is considered 78% cheaper than New York City. The median after-tax salary in Cartagena is reported to be $383, which can cover living expenses for approximately 0.4 months.

These figures provide a comprehensive overview of the cost of living in Cartagena, indicating it is a relatively affordable city compared to many others globally, though the exact costs can vary depending on individual circumstances and lifestyle choices.

Average Cost of Living in Santa Marta

The average cost of living in Santa Marta, Colombia, as of early 2024, can be summarized as follows:

• Overall Cost of Living: The average monthly cost of living in Santa Marta is around $650, excluding rent. The median after-tax salary in the city is approximately $300 per month, which may not fully cover living expenses. Another source cites the average cost of living as $673, placing Santa Marta in the top 26% of the least expensive cities globally. A further report lists the average cost of living as $654 with an average monthly salary of $242.
• Costs for Individuals and Families: For a single person, the monthly cost of living is estimated to be $825, while for a family, it is approximately $1,452 per month. The cost for a single traveler is around $1,818 per month.
• Housing and Rent: Monthly rent costs in Santa Marta are about $236. Rent can vary depending on the location and quality of the apartment, ranging from $450 to $1,000 per month. The average house rent is reported to be around $329 per month.
• Comparison to Other Locations: Santa Marta is considered to be 83% cheaper than New York City.

These figures indicate that Santa Marta offers a relatively low cost of living compared to many other cities globally, though the exact costs can vary depending on individual circumstances and lifestyle choices. The city is particularly affordable in terms of global rankings, but the median salary might not be sufficient to cover all living expenses for some residents.