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Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Buenos Aires is 13% cheaper than Medellin
| Lifestyle | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $550/mo | $450/mo | -18% |
| Moderate | $750/mo | $650/mo | -13% |
| Comfortable | $1,150/mo | $1,000/mo | -13% |
Estimates for a single person. Based on World Bank PPP data and national statistics.
| Category | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $500/mo | $550/mo | +10% |
| Groceries & Food | $150/mo | $130/mo | -13% |
| Dining Out | $100/mo | $80/mo | -20% |
| Transport | $12/mo | $28/mo | +133% |
| Utilities & Internet | $75/mo | $65/mo | -13% |
| Healthcare | $60/mo | $52/mo | -13% |
| Leisure & Personal | $53/mo | $46/mo | -13% |
Sources: INDEC (Argentina), World Bank / DANE (Colombia), World Bank. Updated Jan 2026.
| Item | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $1 | $1 | +11% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $1 | $1 | -6% |
| Eggs (12) | $2 | $2 | -6% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $3 | $3 | -6% |
| Rice (1 kg) | $1 | $1 | -11% |
| Apples (1 kg) | $2 | $3 | +47% |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $1 | $1 | -23% |
| Item | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empanada (each) | $1 | $4 | +350% |
| Pizza slice | $1 | $5 | +382% |
| Fast food combo meal | $6 | $2 | -70% |
| Cappuccino | $2 | $2 | -14% |
| Beer (0.5L, restaurant) | $3 | $1 | -71% |
| Beer (0.5L, store) | $1 | $1 | +9% |
| Item | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (Palermo) | $500 | $550 | +10% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $320 | $300 | -6% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $950 | $1,000 | +5% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $550 | $550 | 0% |
| Item | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass (SUBE) | $8 | $22 | +175% |
| Taxi start | $1 | $1 | +67% |
| Taxi per km | $0 | $0 | +17% |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $1 | $1 | -35% |
| Item | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $35 | $65 | +86% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $18 | $20 | +11% |
| Mobile plan (10GB+) | $6 | $10 | +67% |
| Item | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pair of jeans (Levi's) | $50 | $45 | -10% |
| Running shoes (Nike/Adidas) | $75 | $65 | -13% |
| Item | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $22 | $25 | +14% |
| Cinema ticket | $4 | $4 | -18% |
| Item | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $6 | $5 | -13% |
Explore more: Buenos Aires city guide | Medellin city guide | Argentina | Colombia