🇨🇴 Medellin vs 🇵🇹 Lisbon

Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

Medellin is 60% cheaper than Lisbon

Quick answer

Comparing Medellin, Colombia and Lisbon, Portugal: a moderate single-person monthly budget is approximately $1,040 in Medellin versus $2,604 in Lisbon. Medellin is roughly 60% cheaper overall. Central 1-bed rent: $617/mo (Medellin) vs $1,466/mo (Lisbon). The totals use the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.

Key facts

Moderate budget: $1,040/mo in Medellin single person — city-centre rent + modeled non-housing categories.
Moderate budget: $2,604/mo in Lisbon single person — like-for-like city-centre basket.
Central 1-bed rent $617/mo in Medellin · $1,466/mo in Lisbon.
Cheaper overall: Medellin ~60% cheaper than Lisbon.
Source World Bank ICP + national statistics + item-level price snapshots · CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Budget Comparison

Lifestyle	🇨🇴 Medellin	🇵🇹 Lisbon	Difference
Budget	$750/mo	$1,800/mo	+140%
Moderate	$1,040/mo	$2,604/mo	+150%
Comfortable	$1,550/mo	$3,900/mo	+152%

The Moderate row equals the category table below: single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending. Budget and Comfortable scale that same basket.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Category	🇨🇴 Medellin	🇵🇹 Lisbon	Diff
Housing (1-bed, center)	$617/mo	$1,466/mo	+138%
Groceries & Food	$130/mo	$350/mo	+169%
Dining Out	$65/mo	$175/mo	+169%
Transport	$65/mo	$175/mo	+169%
Utilities & Internet	$65/mo	$175/mo	+169%
Healthcare	$52/mo	$140/mo	+169%
Leisure & Personal	$46/mo	$123/mo	+167%

Category sum = Moderate budget. Basis: single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.

Housing (1-bed, center)

Medellin

$617

Lisbon

$1,466

Groceries & Food

Medellin

$130

Lisbon

$350

Dining Out

Medellin

$65

Lisbon

$175

Transport

Medellin

$65

Lisbon

$175

Utilities & Internet

Medellin

$65

Lisbon

$175

Healthcare

Medellin

$52

Lisbon

$140

Leisure & Personal

Medellin

$46

Lisbon

$123

Detailed Price Comparison

Sources: DANE (Colombia), World Bank / INE (Statistics Portugal), Eurostat. Updated Jan 2026.

Groceries

Item	🇨🇴 Medellin	🇵🇹 Lisbon	Diff
Loaf of bread (500g)	$1	$1	+30%
Milk (1 liter)	$1	$1	0%
Eggs (12)	$2	$3	+47%
Chicken breast (1 kg)	$3	$7	+110%
Rice (1 kg)	$1	$1	+50%
Apples (1 kg)	$3	$2	-24%
Tomatoes (1 kg)	$1	$2	+120%
Cheese, local (1 kg)	$5	$9	+77%

Restaurants & Cafes

Item	🇨🇴 Medellin	🇵🇹 Lisbon	Diff
Almuerzo ejecutivo (set lunch)	$4	$10	+164%
Fast food combo meal	$5	$8	+43%
Cappuccino	$2	$2	+6%
Beer (0.5L, restaurant)	$2	$3	+74%
Beer (0.5L, store)	$1	$1	+38%
Fresh juice	$1	$1	+8%

Housing

Item	🇨🇴 Medellin	🇵🇹 Lisbon	Diff
1-bedroom apartment, center (El Poblado)	$617	$1,466	+138%
1-bedroom apartment, outside	$510	$800	+57%
3-bedroom apartment, center	$1,000	$2,100	+110%
3-bedroom apartment, outside	$550	$1,400	+155%

Transport

Item	🇨🇴 Medellin	🇵🇹 Lisbon	Diff
Monthly transit pass (Metro)	$22	$44	+100%
Taxi start	$1	$4	+300%
Taxi per km	$0	$1	+100%
Gasoline (1 liter)	$1	$2	+185%

Utilities & Internet

Item	🇨🇴 Medellin	🇵🇹 Lisbon	Diff
Electricity, water, garbage (85m²)	$65	$120	+85%
Internet (60+ Mbps)	$20	$35	+75%
Mobile plan (10GB+)	$10	$18	+80%

Clothing

Item	🇨🇴 Medellin	🇵🇹 Lisbon	Diff
Pair of jeans (Levi's)	$45	$78	+73%
Running shoes (Nike/Adidas)	$65	$35	-46%

Leisure & Fitness

Item	🇨🇴 Medellin	🇵🇹 Lisbon	Diff
Gym membership (monthly)	$25	$40	+60%
Cinema ticket	$4	$8	+122%

Personal Care

Item	🇨🇴 Medellin	🇵🇹 Lisbon	Diff
Haircut (men)	$5	$15	+213%

Quick Facts

🇨🇴 Medellin

Monthly cost (moderate): $1,040
1-bed rent (center): $617/mo
Cappuccino: $1.80
Inexpensive meal: $4.00
Monthly transit pass: $28
Internet speed: 85 Mbps
Safety index: 52/100(moderately safe)
Healthcare index: 75/100
Country: Colombia

🇵🇹 Lisbon

Monthly cost (moderate): $2,604
1-bed rent (center): $1,466/mo
Cappuccino: $2.45
Inexpensive meal: $14.00
Monthly transit pass: $44
Internet speed: 115 Mbps
Safety index: 78/100(very safe)
Healthcare index: 92/100
Country: Portugal

Calculate your budget in Medellin Calculate your budget in Lisbon

Explore more: Medellin city guide | Lisbon city guide | Colombia | Portugal

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Medellin or Lisbon cheaper to live in?

Medellin is approximately 60% cheaper than Lisbon overall.

How much does it cost to live in Medellin per month?

A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Medellin is approximately $1,040 on the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.

How much does it cost to live in Lisbon per month?

A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Lisbon is approximately $2,604 on the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.

What is the rent difference between Medellin and Lisbon?

A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $617/month in Medellin and $1,466/month in Lisbon.

🇨🇴 Medellin vs 🇵🇹 Lisbon

Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

Medellin is 60% cheaper than Lisbon

Quick answer

Key facts

Moderate budget: $1,040/mo in Medellin single person — city-centre rent + modeled non-housing categories.
Moderate budget: $2,604/mo in Lisbon single person — like-for-like city-centre basket.
Central 1-bed rent $617/mo in Medellin · $1,466/mo in Lisbon.
Cheaper overall: Medellin ~60% cheaper than Lisbon.
Source World Bank ICP + national statistics + item-level price snapshots · CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Budget Comparison

Lifestyle	🇨🇴 Medellin	🇵🇹 Lisbon	Difference
Budget	$750/mo	$1,800/mo	+140%
Moderate	$1,040/mo	$2,604/mo	+150%
Comfortable	$1,550/mo	$3,900/mo	+152%

Cost Breakdown by Category

Category	🇨🇴 Medellin	🇵🇹 Lisbon	Diff
Housing (1-bed, center)	$617/mo	$1,466/mo	+138%
Groceries & Food	$130/mo	$350/mo	+169%
Dining Out	$65/mo	$175/mo	+169%
Transport	$65/mo	$175/mo	+169%
Utilities & Internet	$65/mo	$175/mo	+169%
Healthcare	$52/mo	$140/mo	+169%
Leisure & Personal	$46/mo	$123/mo	+167%

Housing (1-bed, center)

Medellin

$617

Lisbon

$1,466

Groceries & Food

Medellin

$130

Lisbon

$350

Dining Out

Medellin

$65

Lisbon

$175

Transport

Medellin

$65

Lisbon

$175

Utilities & Internet

Medellin

$65

Lisbon

$175

Healthcare

Medellin

$52

Lisbon

$140

Leisure & Personal

Medellin

$46

Lisbon

$123

Detailed Price Comparison

Sources: DANE (Colombia), World Bank / INE (Statistics Portugal), Eurostat. Updated Jan 2026.

Groceries

Item	🇨🇴 Medellin	🇵🇹 Lisbon	Diff
Loaf of bread (500g)	$1	$1	+30%
Milk (1 liter)	$1	$1	0%
Eggs (12)	$2	$3	+47%
Chicken breast (1 kg)	$3	$7	+110%
Rice (1 kg)	$1	$1	+50%
Apples (1 kg)	$3	$2	-24%
Tomatoes (1 kg)	$1	$2	+120%
Cheese, local (1 kg)	$5	$9	+77%

Restaurants & Cafes

Item	🇨🇴 Medellin	🇵🇹 Lisbon	Diff
Almuerzo ejecutivo (set lunch)	$4	$10	+164%
Fast food combo meal	$5	$8	+43%
Cappuccino	$2	$2	+6%
Beer (0.5L, restaurant)	$2	$3	+74%
Beer (0.5L, store)	$1	$1	+38%
Fresh juice	$1	$1	+8%

Housing

Item	🇨🇴 Medellin	🇵🇹 Lisbon	Diff
1-bedroom apartment, center (El Poblado)	$617	$1,466	+138%
1-bedroom apartment, outside	$510	$800	+57%
3-bedroom apartment, center	$1,000	$2,100	+110%
3-bedroom apartment, outside	$550	$1,400	+155%

Transport

Item	🇨🇴 Medellin	🇵🇹 Lisbon	Diff
Monthly transit pass (Metro)	$22	$44	+100%
Taxi start	$1	$4	+300%
Taxi per km	$0	$1	+100%
Gasoline (1 liter)	$1	$2	+185%

Utilities & Internet

Item	🇨🇴 Medellin	🇵🇹 Lisbon	Diff
Electricity, water, garbage (85m²)	$65	$120	+85%
Internet (60+ Mbps)	$20	$35	+75%
Mobile plan (10GB+)	$10	$18	+80%

Clothing

Item	🇨🇴 Medellin	🇵🇹 Lisbon	Diff
Pair of jeans (Levi's)	$45	$78	+73%
Running shoes (Nike/Adidas)	$65	$35	-46%

Leisure & Fitness

Item	🇨🇴 Medellin	🇵🇹 Lisbon	Diff
Gym membership (monthly)	$25	$40	+60%
Cinema ticket	$4	$8	+122%

Personal Care

Item	🇨🇴 Medellin	🇵🇹 Lisbon	Diff
Haircut (men)	$5	$15	+213%

Quick Facts

🇨🇴 Medellin

Monthly cost (moderate): $1,040
1-bed rent (center): $617/mo
Cappuccino: $1.80
Inexpensive meal: $4.00
Monthly transit pass: $28
Internet speed: 85 Mbps
Safety index: 52/100(moderately safe)
Healthcare index: 75/100
Country: Colombia

🇵🇹 Lisbon

Monthly cost (moderate): $2,604
1-bed rent (center): $1,466/mo
Cappuccino: $2.45
Inexpensive meal: $14.00
Monthly transit pass: $44
Internet speed: 115 Mbps
Safety index: 78/100(very safe)
Healthcare index: 92/100
Country: Portugal

Calculate your budget in Medellin Calculate your budget in Lisbon

Explore more: Medellin city guide | Lisbon city guide | Colombia | Portugal

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Medellin or Lisbon cheaper to live in?

Medellin is approximately 60% cheaper than Lisbon overall.

How much does it cost to live in Medellin per month?

How much does it cost to live in Lisbon per month?

What is the rent difference between Medellin and Lisbon?

A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $617/month in Medellin and $1,466/month in Lisbon.