Medellin real cost of living for digital nomads or golden retirement
.Wondering how far your money goes in Medellín? This blog helps you to get the cost of living showing why one of the favorites cities for nomads in the world is kind to your wallet.
Medellín offers a low cost of living compared to North America or Europe. But just how cheap is it really? Let’s crunch the pesos (Colombian pesos, that is) in a friendly budget breakdown.
Housing Costs: From Penthouse to Paisa-Priced Apartments
Yes, your biggest expense, but it’s refreshingly affordable. A one- or two-bedroom apartment in a good area like Laureles, Poblado, Conquistadores, Manila or Envigado can range from $400 to $900 USD per month.
Splitting a bigger place with fellows? co-living spaces for nomads or seniors’ flats are available in town. Even better for your budget. Opting for furnished Airbnb’s is also a good call.
Essentially, you can live comfortably without your rent devouring your paycheck.
Tip #1: Don’t burn your budget by paying 2- or 3-weeks hotel rate while you find your dream location. Reach out to a local relocation company and ask for help negotiating your rent directly with landlords in pesos. Having someone on the ground is a total game-changer.
Tip #2: Don’t fall for the trap of dreamy photos. A virtual flat or B&B may look like paradise online… until you arrive and realize it’s sitting on top of a car wash with no windows. To avoid that heartbreak, work with local support which is very affordable and can offer real video tours, not just of the apartment, but the entire area. The vibe of a neighborhood matters just as much as the layout of the living room. Local eyes = smarter choices.
Eating and Drinking: From Street Food to Sushi
Get ready to eat like a king (or queen) for cheap. Groceries run about $100–$150 USD per month if you cook often Supermarkets carry plenty of fresh products (avocados for pennies!). But the real treat is eating out: a traditional lunch (menu del día o “corrientazo”) with soup, main, and drink costs only $4–$7 USD. There are many many options in town for that. Every single mall has a big food area full of alternatives, but the Barrios itself have little restaurant for the day to day. It means although you have very nice and fancy restaurants too, for the “everyday” these options are available, affordable and delicious.
You can snack empanadas, buñuelos, for $1 USD, arepas for 2 , 3 $ USD Even international fare and mid-range restaurants won’t break the bank, with a nice dinner around $10–$15 USD per person in many cases and a fancy diner could be around $25–$40 USD Craft beer or cocktails in trendy bars cost about $5–$7, while a local beer at a “tienda de barrio” is under $2.
Craving coffee? A quality cappuccino with real Colombia Coffee which is a treasure will set you back a whopping $1.50. Your inner caffeine addict can rejoice that Medellín’s cafe culture is both excellent and affordable If you occasionally splurge on sushi or a fancy brunch, you’ll still find it cheaper than back home. Groceries + dining out combined are reasonable; many expats spend $200–$500 monthly depending on how often you eat out.
Tip #3: we can talk about better places to go and give you even discounts on our membership
Transportation and Mobile: Cheap and Convenient
Getting around Medellín is both easy and light on the budget. The city’s metro (train) and integrated transit system are incredibly affordable; a single metro ride costs under $1 USD
Try beating that in the London Underground! Buses cost the same (and you can pay with your tube ticket). But it’s better to take taxis or Ubers, which are also relatively cheap compared to Europe or the US; a 3-5 km ride costs approximately $3 to $6 USD. Many nomads end up using Uber for convenience (we’ll talk more about safety with these later). Even if you take a taxi every other day, you may only spend between $30 to $60 USD a month on local transport. The taxi system works well: you call and give the address where you need to be picked up, and the app finds the nearest available taxi. Everything is recorded, so it’s safe, and the authorities constantly check the meters to make sure you pay the right fare.
Don’t forget your phone and WiFi. A prepaid SIM with calls and 10GB of data is about $5/6 USD/month practically free. Most rentals include internet, but if not, a high-speed home broadband is around $20–$30 per month. And yes, internet in Medellín is fast and reliable (10–100 Mbps in many areas), which is one reason the city is known for being remote-work friendly.
Coworking & Entertainment: Optional Expenses to Consider
Most of the digital nomads work from home or cafes, but if you want a dedicated desk, budget for coworking the memberships average around $100–$180 USD per month
For fun, Medellín won’t disappoint or bankrupt you. Gym memberships at popular chains like Smart Fit are about $30/month Catching a movie? $4–$5 USD for a ticket , the cinemas are modern, there are even a very fancy alternatives for an extra dollar, super comfortable vip chairs as a bed completely reclinable with restaurant and bar service included ( Cinemark Tesoro, Cinemark Arkadia) A night out dancing in Poblado might cost you $10–$20 in drinks and cover charges, unless you start buying bottles at clubs (still cheaper than Miami or London). Many museums and attractions cost just a few dollars or are free on certain days.
Weekend trips to nearby Pueblos (like Guatapé) are affordable too. A bus ride to Guatapé is around $7–$10 one way, and you can have a full day of adventures on less than $30. In short, entertainment and exploration are a bargain here, letting you enjoy your life, in many ways!! But Santa fe de Antioquia, Amalfi, Jardin, rio Claro, Cauca viejo, Santorini, San Lus, Betania, rio el mecocho, alejandria, hacienda napoles, etc.
Tip #4: we have some alliances with nice tours for city trips for our members! Ask here how to get them !!
Tip #5: take a look these recommended links with some ideas to enjoy the surrounding areas
https://allnaturalcolombia.com/ about 30 USD close to Medellin
https://bubbleskyhotel.com/ about 70 USD 40 minutes from Medellin
https://www.entreverdesglamping.com/ desde 30 USD la noche
https://glampingthemountain.com/ 80
Other places you can check: Sierra de Viboral adventure, Glampling Alto Paraiso, La veranera, Verde Melcocho.
- • Rent (apartment in nice area): $ can be 400 USD- 1000
- • Utilities & Internet: $60 USD
- • Groceries: $100 USD-$200 USD
- • Dining Out & Coffee: $50USD – $250USD (that’s eating out a few times a week)
- • Transportation (Uber/Metro): $50 USD
- • Coworking Space: $50 USD (optional, if you use it some days)
- • Entertainment & Misc: $100USD – $250USD (gyms, outings, shopping, etc.)
- • City trips $75USD – $200USD (optional 1 per month)
- • Healthy insurance $25USD – $50USD
So, from a simple life on $900-1100 a month, cooking more at home and indulging less, to a very comfortable life on around $1500-1800, to a luxurious lifestyle for those who prefer, can, and want to have it with $2,000–2,500 you can get it all (which in New York might not even cover the rent).
In short, nice weather, modern, great food, nice people, incredible client service for a fraction of what you’d spend in the States or Europe. Your biggest challenge might be figuring out what to do with the extra cash you save more travel, perhaps? ¡Bienvenido a Medellín!
Tip #6: Contact us to show you how we can help you save money in your stay, we know how!!
Hidden costs of living in Medellín: survival guide for digital nomads - SettlingIN Medellin
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