Cost of living in Medellín (Colombia) is 33% more expensive than in Arequipa (Peru)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 775 prices entered by 83 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 20% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Medellín (Colombia) is 20% more expensive than in Arequipa (Peru) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Medellín | Arequipa | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | COL$34,041 (S/. 30) | S/. 20 | + 50% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | COL$29,348 (S/. 26) | S/. 20 | + 28% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | COL$12,737 (S/. 11) | S/. 8 | + 42% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | COL$4,387 (S/. 3.81) | S/. 5.70 | - 33% | |
| 12 eggs, large | COL$10,714 (S/. 9) | S/. 9 | + 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | COL$4,318 (S/. 3.75) | S/. 3.91 | - 4% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | COL$18,065 (S/. 16) | S/. 11 | + 48% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | COL$11,073 (S/. 10) | S/. 4.94 | + 95% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | COL$4,638 (S/. 4.03) | S/. 3.02 | + 33% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | COL$4,767 (S/. 4.14) | S/. 7 | - 42% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | COL$52,384 (S/. 46) | S/. 39 | + 16% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | COL$8,896 (S/. 8) | S/. 9 | - 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | COL$4,821 (S/. 4.19) | S/. 2.28 | + 84% | |
| Housing | + 77% | |||
| Housing in Medellín (Colombia) is 77% more expensive than in Arequipa (Peru) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Medellín | Arequipa | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | COL$4,666,470 (S/. 4,055) | S/. 1,714 | + 137% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | COL$2,410,600 (S/. 2,095) | S/. 930 | + 125% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | COL$326,693 (S/. 284) | S/. 138 | + 105% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | COL$2,567,060 (S/. 2,231) | S/. 1,109 | + 101% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | COL$1,435,160 (S/. 1,247) | S/. 727 | + 72% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | COL$201,231 (S/. 175) | S/. 104 | + 69% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | COL$79,794 (S/. 69) | S/. 66 | + 5% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | COL$1,333,970 (S/. 1,159) | S/. 1,071 | + 8% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | COL$348,983 (S/. 303) | S/. 340 | - 11% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | COL$24,508 (S/. 21) | S/. 27 | - 20% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | COL$30,521 (S/. 27) | S/. 14 | + 95% | |
| Clothes | + 17% | |||
| Clothes in Medellín (Colombia) is 17% more expensive than in Arequipa (Peru) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Medellín | Arequipa | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | COL$195,890 (S/. 170) | S/. 137 | + 25% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | COL$100,832 (S/. 88) | S/. 87 | + 1% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | COL$364,976 (S/. 317) | S/. 239 | + 33% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | COL$329,602 (S/. 286) | S/. 230 | + 24% | |
| Transportation | + 34% | |||
| Transportation in Medellín (Colombia) is 34% more expensive than in Arequipa (Peru) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Medellín | Arequipa | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | COL$83,006,200 (S/. 72,128) | S/. 53,456 | + 35% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | COL$4,295 (S/. 3.73) | S/. 4.71 | - 21% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | COL$158,353 (S/. 138) | S/. 80 | + 72% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | COL$26,990 (S/. 23) | S/. 28 | - 16% | |
| Personal Care | + 36% | |||
| Personal Care in Medellín (Colombia) is 36% more expensive than in Arequipa (Peru) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Medellín | Arequipa | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | COL$21,141 (S/. 18) | S/. 8 | + 139% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | COL$25,719 (S/. 22) | S/. 20 | + 14% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | COL$110,650 (S/. 96) | S/. 61 | + 57% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | COL$24,071 (S/. 21) | S/. 24 | - 11% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | COL$18,350 (S/. 16) | S/. 12 | + 35% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | COL$18,940 (S/. 16) | S/. 17 | - 6% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | COL$9,821 (S/. 9) | S/. 5.19 | + 64% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | COL$7,510 (S/. 7) | S/. 5.29 | + 23% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | COL$47,455 (S/. 41) | S/. 25 | + 67% | |
| Entertainment | + 7% | |||
| Entertainment in Medellín (Colombia) is 7% more expensive than in Arequipa (Peru) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Medellín | Arequipa | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | COL$82,302 (S/. 72) | S/. 32 | + 121% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | COL$33,786 (S/. 29) | S/. 28 | + 5% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | COL$135,980 (S/. 118) | S/. 135 | - 12% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | COL$156,714 (S/. 136) | S/. 68 | + 102% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | COL$35,383 (S/. 31) | S/. 26 | + 19% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | COL$10,394 (S/. 9) | S/. 14 | - 37% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | COL$10,343 (S/. 9) | S/. 8 | + 20% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | COL$3,226,070 (S/. 2,803) | S/. 2,312 | + 21% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | COL$294 (S/. 0.26) | S/. 0.64 | - 60% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | COL$154,618 (S/. 134) | S/. 107 | + 26% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | COL$10,235 (S/. 9) | S/. 12 | - 28% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 33% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 775 prices entered by 83 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 28, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00087
PEN
/
COP
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For example, you would need at least S/. 7,301 (COL$8,401,983) in Medellín to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with S/. 5,500 in Arequipa.
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