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Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Mexico City is 35% cheaper than Medellin
| Lifestyle | 🇲🇽 Mexico City | 🇨🇴 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 | 🇲🇽 Mexico City | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $950/mo | $550/mo | -42% |
| Groceries & Food | $200/mo | $130/mo | -35% |
| Dining Out | $100/mo | $80/mo | -20% |
| Transport | $18/mo | $28/mo | +56% |
| Utilities & Internet | $100/mo | $65/mo | -35% |
| Healthcare | $80/mo | $52/mo | -35% |
| Leisure & Personal | $70/mo | $46/mo | -34% |
Sources: INEGI (Mexico), World Bank / DANE (Colombia), World Bank. Updated Jan 2026.
| Item | 🇲🇽 Mexico City | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $2 | $1 | -44% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $1 | $1 | -29% |
| Eggs (12) | $2 | $2 | -11% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $5 | $3 | -34% |
| Rice (1 kg) | $1 | $1 | -20% |
| Apples (1 kg) | $2 | $3 | +9% |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $2 | $1 | -33% |
| Cheese, local (1 kg) | $6 | $5 | -17% |
| Item | 🇲🇽 Mexico City | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Street taco (single) | $1 | $4 | +500% |
| Comida corrida (set lunch) | $4 | $5 | +29% |
| Fast food combo meal | $6 | $2 | -73% |
| Cappuccino | $3 | $2 | -34% |
| Beer (0.5L, restaurant) | $3 | $1 | -72% |
| Beer (0.5L, store) | $1 | $1 | 0% |
| Item | 🇲🇽 Mexico City | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center | $750 | $550 | -27% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $450 | $300 | -33% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $1,500 | $1,000 | -33% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $900 | $550 | -39% |
| Item | 🇲🇽 Mexico City | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass (Metro) | $16 | $22 | +38% |
| Taxi start | $1 | $1 | +25% |
| Taxi per km | $1 | $0 | -36% |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $1 | $1 | -48% |
| Item | 🇲🇽 Mexico City | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $55 | $65 | +18% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $25 | $20 | -20% |
| Mobile plan (10GB+) | $15 | $10 | -33% |
| Item | 🇲🇽 Mexico City | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pair of jeans (Levi's) | $52 | $45 | -13% |
| Summer dress (Zara/H&M) | $30 | $65 | +117% |
| Item | 🇲🇽 Mexico City | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $30 | $25 | -17% |
| Cinema ticket | $4 | $4 | -10% |
| Item | 🇲🇽 Mexico City | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $6 | $5 | -17% |
Explore more: Mexico City city guide | Medellin city guide | Mexico | Colombia