Cost of living in Santiago de Cali (Colombia) is 5% cheaper than in Medellín (Colombia)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,282 prices entered by 193 different people.
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Currency:
Food | - 2% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Santiago de Cali (Colombia) is about the same as in Medellín (Colombia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Santiago de Cali | Medellín | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | COL$30,541 | COL$26,705 | + 14% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | COL$21,040 | COL$21,627 | - 3% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | COL$10,039 | COL$9,366 | + 7% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | COL$3,632 | COL$3,023 | + 20% | |
12 eggs, large | COL$9,309 | COL$8,977 | + 4% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | COL$3,197 | COL$3,090 | + 3% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | COL$10,431 | COL$9,830 | + 6% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | COL$5,356 | COL$7,043 | - 24% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | COL$3,193 | COL$4,200 | - 24% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | COL$4,054 | COL$5,725 | - 29% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | COL$53,433 | COL$46,612 | + 15% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | COL$4,997 | COL$5,777 | - 13% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | COL$2,815 | COL$3,339 | - 16% | |
Housing | - 17% | |||
Housing in Santiago de Cali (Colombia) is 17% cheaper than in Medellín (Colombia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Santiago de Cali | Medellín | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | COL$2,181,270 | COL$2,748,150 | - 21% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | COL$1,164,620 | COL$1,492,490 | - 22% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | COL$212,722 | COL$225,049 | - 5% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | COL$1,505,590 | COL$1,888,150 | - 20% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | COL$730,599 | COL$1,016,030 | - 28% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | COL$135,815 | COL$141,213 | - 4% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | COL$81,350 | COL$96,384 | - 16% | |
40” flat screen tv | COL$1,647,940 | COL$1,565,110 | + 5% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | COL$431,754 | COL$339,174 | + 27% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | COL$18,049 | COL$26,263 | - 31% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | COL$10,284 | COL$11,168 | - 8% | |
Clothes | - 6% | |||
Clothes in Santiago de Cali (Colombia) is 6% cheaper than in Medellín (Colombia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Santiago de Cali | Medellín | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | COL$243,875 | COL$212,254 | + 15% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | COL$129,525 | COL$143,652 | - 10% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | COL$300,773 | COL$364,595 | - 18% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | COL$226,848 | COL$292,146 | - 22% | |
Transportation | + 16% | |||
Transportation in Santiago de Cali (Colombia) is 16% more expensive than in Medellín (Colombia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Santiago de Cali | Medellín | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | COL$70,227,600 | COL$64,676,100 | + 9% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | COL$3,220 | COL$2,443 | + 32% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | COL$148,063 | COL$126,214 | + 17% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | COL$26,394 | COL$24,457 | + 8% | |
Personal Care | - 7% | |||
Personal Care in Santiago de Cali (Colombia) is 7% cheaper than in Medellín (Colombia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Santiago de Cali | Medellín | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | COL$16,140 | COL$12,360 | + 31% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | COL$19,183 | COL$11,276 | + 70% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | COL$87,856 | COL$116,355 | - 24% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | COL$19,467 | COL$20,306 | - 4% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | COL$12,327 | COL$13,993 | - 12% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | COL$15,220 | COL$18,091 | - 16% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | COL$5,970 | COL$6,915 | - 14% | |
Tube of toothpaste | COL$4,550 | COL$5,996 | - 24% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | COL$20,439 | COL$27,778 | - 26% | |
Entertainment | - 26% | |||
Entertainment in Santiago de Cali (Colombia) is 26% cheaper than in Medellín (Colombia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Santiago de Cali | Medellín | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | COL$21,832 | COL$60,298 | - 64% | |
2 tickets to the movies | COL$24,992 | COL$35,093 | - 29% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | COL$96,771 | COL$98,707 | - 2% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | COL$91,259 | COL$126,178 | - 28% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | COL$23,987 | COL$22,675 | + 6% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | COL$9,107 | COL$8,768 | + 4% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | COL$3,438 | COL$5,205 | - 34% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | COL$1,591,980 | COL$1,980,370 | - 20% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | COL$180 | COL$213 | - 16% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | COL$113,278 | COL$146,385 | - 23% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | COL$6,998 | COL$8,350 | - 16% | |
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TOTAL | - 5% |

These prices were last updated on May 26, 2022.
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require COL$7,680,000 in Medellín you would need to make just about COL$7,270,879 in Santiago de Cali.
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