What is the cost of living in Medellin?

The cost of living in Medellin is 72.7% cheaper than New York City (index: 27.3). Groceries are 51.9% cheaper than NYC. Restaurants are 58.5% cheaper than NYC. A 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre costs approximately COP 3,353,908 per month. Local purchasing power index is 35.9 (NYC = 100).

How much tax do you pay in Colombia?

In Colombia, a gross salary of COP 188,555,400 per year results in approximately COP 12,936,520 per month take-home pay after income tax and social contributions (effective rate: 17.7%). Use our Colombia tax calculator for a personalised breakdown.

🇨🇴 Colombia · #398 of 577 cities · 2026

Should I Move to Medellin?

Q: Should I move to Medellin?

Medellin, Colombia has a cost of living 72.7% cheaper than New York City (index: 27.3). It is ranked #398 out of 577 cities globally. Local purchasing power is weak (index: 35.9 vs NYC = 100). Workers in Colombia earning COP 188,555,400 gross take home approximately COP 12,936,520/month after tax. Use our salary comparison calculator to see exactly how your take-home pay would change.

72.7% cheaper to live here than in New York City.

Run the calculator below with your actual salary to get a personalised answer.

-72.7%

vs NYC

COP 3,353,908

1-BR, city centre

COP 12,936,520

Net take-home

Weak

Purchasing Power

Cost index: Numbeo, blended with Expatistan and LivingCost where available (NYC = 100) · Data from October 2026

Personalised Answer

Compare your salary: move to Medellin?

Example: COP 188,555,400 gross/year in Colombia → COP 12,936,520/month net after tax (17.7% effective rate). Full Colombia tax breakdown →

Cost breakdown: Medellin

Cost indices vs NYC = 100

Cost of Living

27.3 Affordable

Rent

20.0 Very affordable

Groceries

48.1 Affordable

Restaurants

41.5 Affordable

Purchasing Power

35.9 Weak

Rent in Medellin

1-BR, city centre COP 3,353,908/mo

1-BR, outside centre COP 1,997,185/mo

3-BR, city centre COP 6,001,617/mo

3-BR, outside centre COP 3,220,232/mo

Save by going outside centre 41% cheaper

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

Colombia take-home pay

COP 188,555,400 → COP 12,936,520/Net take-home (17.7% effective rate, single filer)

Full Colombia tax calculator →

Considering alternatives?

Cities in the same country or region with a comparable cost of living.

🇨🇴 Bogota

Colombia

CoL index 26.8

Compare Bogota vs Medellin →

🇧🇷 Sao Paulo

Brazil

CoL index 26.4

Compare Sao Paulo vs Medellin →

🇨🇱 Santiago

Chile

CoL index 26.2

Compare Santiago vs Medellin →

Ready to run the numbers?

Enter your salary and current city. Get exact take-home pay in Medellin after tax, in seconds.

Compare salaries → Full cost of living data

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