Cost of living in Medellín, Colombia vs San Jose, California, United States
Currency:
| Food | - 66% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Medellín (Colombia) is 66% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | COL$20,019 ($5.51) | $19 | - 72% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | COL$17,190 ($4.73) | $11 | - 56% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | COL$7,311 ($2.01) | $5.19 | - 61% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | COL$2,434 ($0.67) | $1.21 | - 44% | |
| 12 eggs, large | COL$5,744 ($1.58) | $3.92 | - 60% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | COL$2,370 ($0.65) | $4.21 | - 85% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | COL$8,533 ($2.35) | $7 | - 67% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | COL$5,346 ($1.47) | $4.37 | - 66% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | COL$2,090 ($0.57) | $2.38 | - 76% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | COL$3,041 ($0.84) | $2.95 | - 72% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | COL$36,504 ($10) | $18 | - 44% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | COL$4,412 ($1.21) | $2.37 | - 49% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | COL$2,432 ($0.67) | $2.24 | - 70% | |
| Housing | - 77% | |||
| Housing in Medellín (Colombia) is 77% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | COL$2,504,400 ($689) | $3,252 | - 79% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | COL$1,321,390 ($364) | $2,659 | - 86% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | COL$229,491 ($63) | $149 | - 58% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | COL$1,742,430 ($479) | $2,410 | - 80% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | COL$851,419 ($234) | $1,555 | - 85% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | COL$155,862 ($43) | $114 | - 62% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | COL$84,270 ($23) | $38 | - 39% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | COL$1,128,260 ($310) | $329 | - 6% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | COL$341,066 ($94) | $128 | - 27% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | COL$16,184 ($4.45) | $10 | - 57% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | COL$11,052 ($3.04) | $37 | - 92% | |
| Clothes | - 37% | |||
| Clothes in Medellín (Colombia) is 37% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | COL$141,159 ($39) | $49 | - 20% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | COL$105,350 ($29) | $50 | - 42% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | COL$268,936 ($74) | $89 | - 17% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | COL$215,467 ($59) | $112 | - 47% | |
| Transportation | - 47% | |||
| Transportation in Medellín (Colombia) is 47% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | COL$62,938,000 ($17,314) | $23,712 | - 27% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | COL$2,389 ($0.66) | $0.92 | - 29% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | COL$137,856 ($38) | $81 | - 53% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | COL$23,333 ($6) | $19 | - 66% | |
| Personal Care | - 59% | |||
| Personal Care in Medellín (Colombia) is 59% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | COL$11,164 ($3.07) | $7 | - 56% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | COL$13,272 ($3.65) | $21 | - 83% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | COL$53,383 ($15) | $110 | - 87% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | COL$19,174 ($5.27) | $7 | - 24% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | COL$12,812 ($3.52) | $3.71 | - 5% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | COL$14,709 ($4.05) | $5.68 | - 29% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | COL$6,661 ($1.83) | $3.57 | - 49% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | COL$5,417 ($1.49) | $1.93 | - 23% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | COL$22,049 ($6) | $21 | - 71% | |
| Entertainment | - 69% | |||
| Entertainment in Medellín (Colombia) is 69% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | COL$41,853 ($12) | $50 | - 77% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | COL$23,966 ($7) | $27 | - 76% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | COL$83,066 ($23) | $202 | - 89% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | COL$75,281 ($21) | $89 | - 77% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | COL$21,698 ($5.97) | $13 | - 54% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | COL$9,285 ($2.55) | $5.70 | - 55% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | COL$3,920 ($1.08) | $8 | - 86% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | COL$1,859,770 ($512) | $436 | + 17% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | COL$196 ($0.05) | $0.43 | - 87% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | COL$92,839 ($26) | $62 | - 59% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | COL$7,542 ($2.07) | $9 | - 77% | |
| TOTAL | - 66% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,512 prices entered by 211 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 09, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.00028
USD
/
COP
Do you live in San Jose, California? We need your help!
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Madrid is 131% more expensive than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Copenhagen is 16% cheaper than in New York City
- Cost of living in Valencia is 87% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in Tegucigalpa is 41% cheaper than in Madrid
- Cost of living in New York City is about the same as in London
- Cost of living in Montevideo is 71% more expensive than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Santiago is 29% more expensive than in São Paulo
- Cost of living in Caracas is 71% cheaper than in San Jose, Costa Rica
- Cost of living in Hong Kong is 14% more expensive than in Singapore
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 39% cheaper than in Santiago
Compare other countries
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in San Francisco, California (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Guayaquil (Ecuador)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Calgary (Canada)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Havana (Cuba)
- Cost of Living, Prices in San Diego, California (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Santiago de Cali (Colombia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Salt Lake City, Utah (United States)
Cost of living in Medellín (Colombia) is 66% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $9,200 in San Jose, California you would need to make just about $3,174 (COL$11,537,874) in Medellín.
Prices recently added
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Gävle costs 89 kr (6 minutes ago)
- Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in Manchester costs £1,200 (about 1 hour ago)
- Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in Bucharest costs 6,300 lei (about 1 hour ago)
- Internet connection 300 mbps, 1 month in London costs £50 (about 1 hour ago)
- 1 liter of gasoline in Warsaw costs 4.60 zł (about 2 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 45 m2 furnished studio in expensive area in Montpellier costs €735 (about 2 hours ago)