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Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Buenos Aires is 15% cheaper than Medellin
| Lifestyle | 🇨🇴 Medellin | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $450/mo | $550/mo | +22% |
| Moderate | $650/mo | $750/mo | +15% |
| Comfortable | $1,000/mo | $1,150/mo | +15% |
Estimates for a single person. Based on World Bank PPP data and national statistics.
| Category | 🇨🇴 Medellin | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $550/mo | $500/mo | -9% |
| Groceries & Food | $130/mo | $150/mo | +15% |
| Dining Out | $80/mo | $100/mo | +25% |
| Transport | $28/mo | $12/mo | -57% |
| Utilities & Internet | $65/mo | $75/mo | +15% |
| Healthcare | $52/mo | $60/mo | +15% |
| Leisure & Personal | $46/mo | $53/mo | +15% |
Sources: DANE (Colombia), World Bank / INDEC (Argentina), World Bank. Updated Jan 2026.
| Item | 🇨🇴 Medellin | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $1 | $1 | -10% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $1 | $1 | +6% |
| Eggs (12) | $2 | $2 | +6% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $3 | $3 | +6% |
| Rice (1 kg) | $1 | $1 | +12% |
| Apples (1 kg) | $3 | $2 | -32% |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $1 | $1 | +30% |
| Item | 🇨🇴 Medellin | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Almuerzo ejecutivo (set lunch) | $4 | $1 | -78% |
| Fast food combo meal | $5 | $1 | -79% |
| Cappuccino | $2 | $6 | +229% |
| Beer (0.5L, restaurant) | $2 | $2 | +16% |
| Beer (0.5L, store) | $1 | $3 | +250% |
| Fresh juice | $1 | $1 | -8% |
| Item | 🇨🇴 Medellin | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (El Poblado) | $550 | $500 | -9% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $300 | $320 | +7% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $1,000 | $950 | -5% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $550 | $550 | 0% |
| Item | 🇨🇴 Medellin | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass (Metro) | $22 | $8 | -64% |
| Taxi start | $1 | $1 | -40% |
| Taxi per km | $0 | $0 | -14% |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $1 | $1 | +54% |
| Item | 🇨🇴 Medellin | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $65 | $35 | -46% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $20 | $18 | -10% |
| Mobile plan (10GB+) | $10 | $6 | -40% |
| Item | 🇨🇴 Medellin | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pair of jeans (Levi's) | $45 | $50 | +11% |
| Running shoes (Nike/Adidas) | $65 | $75 | +15% |
| Item | 🇨🇴 Medellin | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $25 | $22 | -12% |
| Cinema ticket | $4 | $4 | +22% |
| Item | 🇨🇴 Medellin | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $5 | $6 | +15% |
Explore more: Medellin city guide | Buenos Aires city guide | Colombia | Argentina