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Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Cape Town is 35% cheaper than Medellin
| Lifestyle | 🇿🇦 Cape Town | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $700/mo | $450/mo | -36% |
| Moderate | $1,000/mo | $650/mo | -35% |
| Comfortable | $1,500/mo | $1,000/mo | -33% |
Estimates for a single person. Based on World Bank PPP data and national statistics.
| Category | 🇿🇦 Cape Town | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $700/mo | $550/mo | -21% |
| Groceries & Food | $200/mo | $130/mo | -35% |
| Dining Out | $100/mo | $80/mo | -20% |
| Transport | $35/mo | $28/mo | -20% |
| Utilities & Internet | $100/mo | $65/mo | -35% |
| Healthcare | $80/mo | $52/mo | -35% |
| Leisure & Personal | $70/mo | $46/mo | -34% |
Sources: Stats SA, World Bank / DANE (Colombia), World Bank. Updated Jan 2026.
| Item | 🇿🇦 Cape Town | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $1 | $1 | +25% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $1 | $1 | -6% |
| Eggs (12) | $2 | $2 | -15% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $4 | $3 | -18% |
| Rice (1 kg) | $1 | $1 | -20% |
| Item | 🇿🇦 Cape Town | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bunny chow / local meal | $4 | $4 | -18% |
| Fast food combo meal | $4 | $5 | +20% |
| Cappuccino | $2 | $2 | -23% |
| Beer (0.5L, restaurant) | $3 | $2 | -24% |
| Wine (glass, restaurant) | $3 | $1 | -76% |
| Item | 🇿🇦 Cape Town | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (City Bowl) | $700 | $550 | -21% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $450 | $300 | -33% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $1,300 | $1,000 | -23% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $800 | $550 | -31% |
| Item | 🇿🇦 Cape Town | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit (MyCiTi) | $35 | $22 | -37% |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $1 | $1 | -17% |
| Item | 🇿🇦 Cape Town | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $80 | $65 | -19% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $30 | $20 | -33% |
| Item | 🇿🇦 Cape Town | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $30 | $25 | -17% |
| Cinema ticket | $6 | $4 | -35% |
| Item | 🇿🇦 Cape Town | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $8 | $5 | -41% |
Explore more: Cape Town city guide | Medellin city guide | South Africa | Colombia