Cost of living in Medellín (Colombia) is 12% more expensive than in Cuenca (Ecuador)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 800 prices entered by 84 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 15% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Medellín (Colombia) is 15% cheaper than in Cuenca (Ecuador) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Medellín | Cuenca | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | COL$31,014 ($8) | $11 | - 29% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | COL$29,687 ($7) | $7 | - 1% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | COL$14,133 ($3.44) | $3.16 | + 9% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | COL$4,540 ($1.11) | $1.00 | + 11% | |
| 12 eggs, large | COL$10,965 ($2.67) | $2.88 | - 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | COL$3,765 ($0.92) | $1.74 | - 47% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | COL$16,357 ($3.99) | $3.68 | + 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | COL$11,450 ($2.79) | $1.59 | + 75% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | COL$4,827 ($1.18) | $1.96 | - 40% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | COL$4,757 ($1.16) | $1.95 | - 41% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | COL$52,965 ($13) | $15 | - 15% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | COL$7,944 ($1.94) | $2.21 | - 12% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | COL$4,486 ($1.09) | $1.27 | - 14% | |
| Housing | + 39% | |||
| Housing in Medellín (Colombia) is 39% more expensive than in Cuenca (Ecuador) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Medellín | Cuenca | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | COL$4,922,770 ($1,200) | $644 | + 86% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | COL$2,688,660 ($655) | $398 | + 65% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | COL$309,143 ($75) | $52 | + 44% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | COL$2,240,250 ($546) | $347 | + 57% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | COL$1,493,610 ($364) | $231 | + 58% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | COL$223,731 ($55) | $35 | + 57% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | COL$73,585 ($18) | $25 | - 29% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | COL$1,303,890 ($318) | $435 | - 27% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | COL$390,767 ($95) | $123 | - 23% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | COL$29,091 ($7) | $10 | - 28% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | COL$32,614 ($8) | $5.00 | + 59% | |
| Clothes | - 14% | |||
| Clothes in Medellín (Colombia) is 14% cheaper than in Cuenca (Ecuador) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Medellín | Cuenca | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | COL$223,575 ($54) | $58 | - 6% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | COL$130,908 ($32) | $40 | - 20% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | COL$390,948 ($95) | $118 | - 19% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | COL$297,582 ($73) | $72 | + 0% | |
| Transportation | + 50% | |||
| Transportation in Medellín (Colombia) is 50% more expensive than in Cuenca (Ecuador) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Medellín | Cuenca | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | COL$80,139,400 ($19,528) | $23,001 | - 15% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | COL$5,472 ($1.33) | $1.19 | + 12% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | COL$202,884 ($49) | $21 | + 135% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | COL$34,452 ($8) | $12 | - 31% | |
| Personal Care | + 5% | |||
| Personal Care in Medellín (Colombia) is 5% more expensive than in Cuenca (Ecuador) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Medellín | Cuenca | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | COL$15,773 ($3.84) | $9 | - 58% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | COL$30,436 ($7) | $11 | - 31% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | COL$124,695 ($30) | $29 | + 5% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | COL$25,956 ($6) | $5.92 | + 7% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | COL$22,634 ($5.52) | $3.07 | + 80% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | COL$18,940 ($4.62) | $5.64 | - 18% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | COL$9,665 ($2.36) | $1.68 | + 40% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | COL$9,000 ($2.19) | $1.86 | + 18% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | COL$49,338 ($12) | $9 | + 35% | |
| Entertainment | - 16% | |||
| Entertainment in Medellín (Colombia) is 16% cheaper than in Cuenca (Ecuador) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Medellín | Cuenca | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | COL$82,302 ($20) | $19 | + 4% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | COL$33,786 ($8) | $12 | - 32% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | COL$135,980 ($33) | $40 | - 17% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | COL$156,714 ($38) | $34 | + 13% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | COL$36,282 ($9) | $9 | - 3% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | COL$12,443 ($3.03) | $3.96 | - 23% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | COL$11,218 ($2.73) | $2.36 | + 16% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | COL$3,226,070 ($786) | $544 | + 45% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | COL$294 ($0.07) | $0.24 | - 70% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | COL$154,618 ($38) | $43 | - 12% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | COL$10,235 ($2.49) | $4.23 | - 41% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 12% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 800 prices entered by 84 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 26, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00024
USD
/
COP
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For example, you would need at least $2,134 (COL$8,758,879) in Medellín to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $1,900 in Cuenca.
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