City Comparison
Cali vs Medellín
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Cali is ~13% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Cali
Colombia
COL+Rent
16.7
Rent Index
7.4
Groceries
26.9
Restaurant
21
Medellín
Colombia
COL+Rent
19.1
Rent Index
8.9
Groceries
30.2
Restaurant
24
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Cali | Medellín | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $275 | $332 | $57 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $180 | $217 | $37 |
| Groceries | $176 | $198 | $22 |
| Restaurant Meal | $7 | $7 | $0 |
| Transit Pass | $24 | $27 | $3 |
| Utilities | $38 | $43 | $5 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Cali | Medellín |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $393/mo | $454/mo |
| Typical | $618/mo | $705/mo |
| Comfortable | $799/mo | $899/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Cali | ≈ in Medellín | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,716/mo | +$216 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,287/mo | +$287 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,431/mo | +$431 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cali or Medellín cheaper to live in?
Cali is approximately 13% cheaper overall. Cali's COL+Rent Index is 16.7 vs Medellín's 19.1 (NYC = 100).
How much is rent in Cali vs Medellín?
A 1BR in Cali city center costs ~$275/mo vs $332/mo in Medellín. Outside the center: $180 vs $217.
What is $2,000/month in Cali worth in Medellín?
Using cost-of-living adjustment, $2,000/month in Cali has the purchasing power of approximately $2,287/month in Medellín.
Are groceries cheaper in Cali or Medellín?
Monthly groceries cost approximately $176 in Cali vs $198 in Medellín. Groceries Index: 26.9 vs 30.2 (NYC = 100).