Cost of living in Colombia

Compare the cost of your home country to the actual living costs in Colombia, simply select your home currency and see the difference!

All data is kept up to date by local members and actual students. Our latest update was on: 30th of June 2020

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Food			Price in $
12 eggs dozen, large			12.50 COP
1 beer pint in local shops, markets			7 COP
1 kg of tomatoes			8.50 COP
Full chicken 2kg			38.75 COP
1litre 100% fruit juice			8.50 COP
1 package of cigarettes imported brands			25 COP
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples			7.50 COP
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality			48.95 COP
2.5 liters of Coca-Cola			0.95 COP
1 Bread loaf standard			9.50 COP
Whole fat Yogurt. 500ml			12 COP
1x6 pack Dardanelle tuna			18.50 COP
Heinz baked beans 1 tin			8 COP
1.5 kg Sugar			10 COP
2 liter cooking oil			20 COP
Yum-yum noodles per pack			2.00 COP
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes			5.50 COP
1 liter milk			8.50 COP
Fast food restaurant large serving/ take away			25 COP
Housing
Utilities per month (water, electricity, gas) for 2 people in flat			165 COP
Wi-Fi monthly fee 8 Mbps (1 month)			145 COP
Laundry detergent (bleach, sunlight liquid, washing surf… altogether)			58.50 COP
House Cleaning fee per day			105 COP
Large Gas heater price range upwards.			200 COP
Original branded Electric Fans			200 COP
Original branded Electric kettle.			120 COP
40 inches Beko flat screen HD TV set			2000 COP
Single bed Blankets			120 COP
Personal Care
Avon for women and men cologne			100 COP
Ladies hair plaiting.			60 COP
Ladies Sanitaryware (Pads and Tampoons)			18 COP
Men's haircut			40 COP
Ibuprofen, Panadol, Grandpa Pain killers box of 12 dosses			24.50 COP
Mobile package local network providers’ talk-time, data and messages			65 COP
1 month of gym subscription.			105 COP
Earphones original (Samsung. iPhone)			90 COP
Unisex Loris perfume			30 COP
Gadgets maintenance and repairs (cellphone, laptops, tablets...) starting price.			100 COP
Smart phones (Samsung, Xiaomi, HTC, IPhone) price range upwards			1000 COP
Laptops (Samsung, Lenovo, Hp, Monster, Dell etc.) price range upwards			3000 COP
Entertainment
Boat cruise with refreshments and finger snacks			120 COP
Go carting 30mins			120 COP
Movie House 3d cinema			30 COP
Summer Festivals (jet, bumper cars, lucky deep ...(per ticket)			15 COP
Photo shoot			120 COP
Cappuccino / expresso/ coffee			12.50 COP
3 course dinner local restaurant two people			96.50 COP
3 course dinner classy, exotic restaurant two people			150 COP
Play station 4 console without games.			2000 COP
Spalding Basketball			200 COP
Original branded Racket and Wilson’s tennis balls			500 COP
Transportation
Taxi fare on average 5-10km			45 COP
Public transport per trip one way maximum fare			30 COP
1 liter petrol/diesel			6.50 COP
1 day rent a car cost			140 COP
Driver’s license			2300 COP
Clothes
1 pair of jeans (Denim or similar)			150 COP
1 pair of men’s formal shoes			215 COP
1 pair original sport/casual shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands)			280 COP
1 classy summer dress (Zara, H&M or similar retailers)			135.79 COP
Ladies formal shoes original and durable			120 COP
Back-pack, gym bag (Nike, Adidas, New balance)			150 COP

Situated at the northwestern tip of the South American continent, Colombia is a trending hotspot for retirees and others looking for a low-cost but comfortable life abroad. While $1,000 might not even cover the rent in many American cities, the same income can provide for all your basic needs in Colombia, with a much less left over for some fun.

In Colombia you can get a developed world lifestyle, you are in a metropolitan city, you get all the upscale stores, fancy malls, and everything. So pretty much everything you can wish for just at a way lower price than in the US, Canada, Australia or Europe.

Housing

Quality housing in Colombia for students is very affordable in most cities. According to data collected by the price comparison website Numbeo.com, the national average as of Spring 2020 for a one-bedroom apartment in both central city districts and suburbs is less than $290 per month.

If you plan to share housing with a spouse or friend, you can upgrade to a nice three-bedroom apartment for about $500 in central city districts or under $420 in outlying areas.

Some Colombian cities may prove a bit expensive for someone living alone on a $1,000 budget. For example, a one-bedroom apartment in central Cartagena on Colombia's Caribbean coast averages about $550.

However, other popular cities on the Caribbean coastline, including Santa Marta and Barranquilla, have housing prices margins much closer to national averages.

While you may be priced out of some locations on a $1,000 budget, here cheap housing can be found in all of Colombia's regions, including the coast, mountains, plains, and rainforest.

Utilities

Utility costs and other basic services including water, electricity, garbage service, and broadband Internet average about $120 per month. Cellphone rates are dependent on the service and plan you opt for. Prepaid service averages about 6 cents per minute, and you may be able to use your current phone in Colombia.

DirecTV satellite television is available in many parts. Service packages include Colombian and international Spanish-language channels as well as international English-language channels. These include many of the most popular American news, sports, and entertainment networks.

Food

Colombian groceries offer an excellent variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, typically at very affordably low prices. There are seasonal price changes, of course, but as of Spring 2020, the average price for tomatoes is 40 cents per pound and oranges are 40 cents per pound, well below prices in many American cities. Here staple foods including chicken, bread, pasta, rice, and eggs are widely available and inexpensive.

Colombian grocery store shelves are packed with ingredients to keep your pantry full and your home-made meals varied. Imported brands are increasingly available in bigger Colombian cities but are quite expensive compared to local-brand alternatives.

Sticking to locally produced foods is an important way to keep your costs in the margin. A single person shopping carefully and cooking nearly all meals at home can easily go for under $200.

Other Expenses

Around $100 per month should easily take care of most incidental expenses like cleaning products, personal care items, and souvenirs. Most of these products are relatively cheap as long as you stick to local brands. Add more for extra spending on clothes, cosmetic products, home decorating, and the like.

Public transportation is readily available in Colombian cities. Buses average under 75 cents per ride, or around $31 for a monthly pass. Taxis start at about $1.30 plus around $2.30 per mile, which can add up in a hurry if you make it a habit. While purchasing a personal vehicle in Colombia is certainly possible, it is probably far too costly for a $1,000 budget, and not a necessity gave the other options available.

The Grand Total

All of the above adds up to a decent life for about $760 a month, with about $250 leftover for unexpected expenses or small splurges. That is for a single person living in a one-bedroom apartment.

Cost of living in Colombia chart