Colombia (CO)
Colombia offers expats an extraordinary combination of year-round spring climate (especially in Medellín), very affordable living, rich culture, improving safety, and one of Latin America's most welcoming visa systems.
Capital: Bogotá
Region: Americas
Language: Spanish
Currency: COP ($)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 30)
Emergency: 123
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Cost of Living
Real prices in Colombia — 2026 data in COP.
30
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Very affordable compared to major global cities. Your money goes a long way here.
Food & Groceries
Monthly groceries (1 person, cooking at home) COP $400,000–700,000
Monthly groceries (1 person, quality imported products) COP $700,000–1,200,000
Bread (500g loaf) COP $3,500–8,000
Rice (1kg) COP $3,500–5,500
Chicken breast (1kg) COP $12,000–18,000
Beef (1kg, common cut) COP $18,000–35,000
Eggs (12 units) COP $8,000–13,000
Milk (1 litre) COP $3,500–5,000
Avocado (1 unit) COP $1,500–4,000
Bottle of wine (decent Chilean/Argentine) COP $25,000–60,000
Beer (330ml, local brand — Águila/Club Colombia) COP $2,500–4,500
Aguardiente (750ml Antioqueño) COP $28,000–40,000
Coffee beans (500g, premium Colombian) COP $15,000–45,000
Imported cheese (200g) COP $12,000–25,000
Dining Out
Almuerzo ejecutivo (set lunch: soup + main + juice) COP $8,000–18,000
Bandeja paisa (full traditional plate) COP $18,000–35,000
Pizza (mid-range restaurant) COP $30,000–60,000
Dinner at a good restaurant (per person, with drink) COP $45,000–120,000
Fine dining (Bogotá/Medellín top restaurants, per person) COP $150,000–350,000
Street empanada COP $1,500–3,500
Tinto (small black coffee) COP $1,500–3,500
Specialty coffee (cappuccino/latte) COP $6,000–12,000
Fresh juice (jugo natural) COP $3,000–8,000
Aguardiente at a bar (shot) COP $4,000–8,000
Cerveza at a bar COP $5,000–12,000
Cocktail (craft bar) COP $18,000–40,000
Rent
Studio/1BR Bogotá (Chapinero/Usaquén/Zona Rosa) COP $1,500,000–2,800,000
Studio/1BR Bogotá (outer barrios) COP $800,000–1,500,000
2BR Bogotá (Chapinero/Usaquén) COP $2,500,000–4,500,000
Studio/1BR Medellín (El Poblado) COP $1,800,000–3,500,000
Studio/1BR Medellín (Laureles/Envigado) COP $1,200,000–2,200,000
2BR Medellín (El Poblado) COP $2,500,000–5,000,000
Studio/1BR Cartagena (Bocagrande/El Laguito) COP $1,500,000–3,000,000
Studio/1BR Cartagena (Getsemaní/other) COP $900,000–1,800,000
Studio/1BR Cali (Centro/El Peñon) COP $800,000–1,600,000
Long-term Airbnb furnished (Medellín, 1BR) COP $2,000,000–4,000,000
Shared house room (Bogotá, utilities included) COP $600,000–1,200,000
Transport
TransMilenio single ride (Bogotá) COP $3,200
Metro single ride (Medellín) COP $3,100–3,500
InDrive/taxi (5km urban trip) COP $8,000–15,000
Uber (5km urban trip, Bogotá) COP $10,000–20,000
Mototaxi (short trip, informal) COP $3,000–7,000
Bus intercity (Bogotá–Medellín, ~8h) COP $60,000–90,000
Domestic flight (Bogotá–Medellín, one way) COP $80,000–250,000
Monthly TuLlave card recharge (Bogotá, 60 trips) COP $192,000
Petrol 1 litre (corriente/regular) COP $11,000–13,500
Toll (autopista, one way) COP $10,000–25,000
Health & Insurance
EPS employee contribution (4% of SMMLV, minimum) COP $56,940/month
GP consultation (private, no insurance) COP $30,000–80,000
Specialist consultation (private) COP $80,000–200,000
Dental cleaning (private) COP $40,000–80,000
Dental filling (composite, private) COP $40,000–100,000
Dental implant (private) COP $1,500,000–2,500,000
Medicina Prepagada (private top-up, adult, basic plan) COP $250,000–400,000/month
Blood test panel (private lab) COP $50,000–150,000
Prescription medication (common, private pharmacy) COP $5,000–50,000
Eye test + glasses (mid-range) COP $100,000–350,000
Psychology session (private, 50 min) COP $60,000–150,000
Utilities
Electricity (1BR apt, stratum 4) COP $80,000–160,000
Water + sewage (1BR apt) COP $30,000–70,000
Natural gas (cooking + water heating) COP $25,000–60,000
Broadband internet (50–100Mbps fibre) COP $55,000–100,000
Mobile phone plan (unlimited data, calls) COP $25,000–60,000
Netflix Colombia COP $18,900–35,900/month
Spotify Colombia COP $14,900/month
Cuota de administración (condo fee, 1BR) COP $120,000–400,000/month
Childcare
Jardín infantil / Guardería (public, ICBF) Free–COP $150,000/month
Private pre-school (monthly) COP $400,000–1,200,000
Public primary/secondary school Free (with nominal fees ~COP $20,000–80,000)
Private Colombian school (mensualidad, 1BR family) COP $400,000–1,500,000/month
International school (Bogotá/Medellín, annual) COP $35,200,000–96,800,000/year
Spanish private tutor (per hour) COP $30,000–80,000
Leisure
Cinema ticket (major Cinemark/Procinal) COP $14,000–25,000
Gym membership (budget) COP $50,000–100,000/month
Gym membership (Smart Fit, Bodytech) COP $80,000–180,000/month
Gym membership (premium, El Poblado/Zona Rosa) COP $200,000–450,000/month
Museum entry (most Bogotá national museums) Free–COP $20,000
Salsa class (Cali, group) COP $20,000–50,000/session
Medellín Parque Arví entrance (cable + entry) COP $15,000–25,000
City of Eternal Spring tour (Medellín, 4hr) COP $60,000–120,000
Haircut (barber) COP $15,000–40,000
Haircut + colour (salon, women) COP $60,000–250,000
Cost of Living
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