Cost of living in Cartagena, Colombia vs Iowa City, Iowa, United States
Currency:
Food | - 46% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Cartagena (Colombia) is 46% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | COL$29,742 ($8) | $14 | - 40% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | COL$21,731 ($5.96) | $7 | - 12% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | COL$8,458 ($2.32) | $4.70 | - 51% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | COL$2,937 ($0.81) | $0.86 | - 6% | |
12 eggs, large | COL$5,860 ($1.61) | $2.37 | - 32% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | COL$3,099 ($0.85) | $4.43 | - 81% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | COL$8,419 ($2.31) | $8 | - 70% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | COL$6,293 ($1.73) | $3.06 | - 44% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | COL$1,949 ($0.53) | $1.56 | - 66% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | COL$3,014 ($0.83) | $2.81 | - 71% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | COL$44,645 ($12) | $13 | - 5% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | COL$3,749 ($1.03) | $1.84 | - 44% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | COL$2,883 ($0.79) | $1.66 | - 52% | |
Housing | - 60% | |||
Housing in Cartagena (Colombia) is 60% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | COL$2,386,620 ($654) | $1,487 | - 56% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | COL$1,155,610 ($317) | $1,026 | - 69% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | COL$258,247 ($71) | $123 | - 42% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | COL$1,761,120 ($483) | $957 | - 50% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | COL$682,609 ($187) | $692 | - 73% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | COL$262,788 ($72) | $127 | - 43% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | COL$65,293 ($18) | $48 | - 63% | |
40” flat screen tv | COL$1,019,220 ($279) | $338 | - 17% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | COL$199,184 ($55) | $80 | - 32% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | COL$13,212 ($3.62) | $11 | - 68% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | COL$9,521 ($2.61) | $24 | - 89% | |
Clothes | - 19% | |||
Clothes in Cartagena (Colombia) is 19% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | COL$178,438 ($49) | $49 | + 1% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | COL$103,491 ($28) | $33 | - 14% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | COL$226,567 ($62) | $82 | - 24% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | COL$143,549 ($39) | $101 | - 61% | |
Transportation | - 27% | |||
Transportation in Cartagena (Colombia) is 27% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | COL$45,651,400 ($12,518) | $19,239 | - 35% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | COL$2,396 ($0.66) | $0.70 | - 6% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | COL$90,062 ($25) | $33 | - 25% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | COL$37,952 ($10) | $17 | - 37% | |
Personal Care | - 65% | |||
Personal Care in Cartagena (Colombia) is 65% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | COL$12,251 ($3.36) | $7 | - 51% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | COL$11,865 ($3.25) | $21 | - 84% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | COL$58,176 ($16) | $95 | - 83% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | COL$13,004 ($3.57) | $6 | - 44% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | COL$8,486 ($2.33) | $3.01 | - 23% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | COL$10,261 ($2.81) | $5.65 | - 50% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | COL$5,198 ($1.43) | $3.19 | - 55% | |
Tube of toothpaste | COL$2,999 ($0.82) | $1.79 | - 54% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | COL$14,202 ($3.89) | $20 | - 81% | |
Entertainment | - 55% | |||
Entertainment in Cartagena (Colombia) is 55% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | COL$41,931 ($11) | $34 | - 66% | |
2 tickets to the movies | COL$22,476 ($6) | $19 | - 68% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | COL$124,941 ($34) | $95 | - 64% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | COL$94,273 ($26) | $67 | - 61% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | COL$13,312 ($3.65) | $7 | - 48% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | COL$4,435 ($1.22) | $3.83 | - 68% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | COL$4,699 ($1.29) | $4.40 | - 71% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | COL$1,599,730 ($439) | $430 | + 2% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | COL$209 ($0.06) | $0.21 | - 72% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | COL$102,886 ($28) | $43 | - 35% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | COL$4,962 ($1.36) | $7 | - 81% | |
TOTAL | - 49% |

These prices were last updated on February 27, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.00027
USD
/
COP
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Cost of living in Cartagena (Colombia) is 49% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $4,200 in Iowa City, Iowa you would need to make just about $2,138 (COL$7,798,085) in Cartagena.
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