# How much does it cost to live in Colombia in 2026?

As an October 2026 estimate, one person in Bogotá or Medellín needs roughly $810 to $1,600 a month for rent, food, transport and health coverage. A couple needs about $1,100 to $2,200, and costs vary widely by city and neighborhood.

Dollar figures use Colombia's official exchange rate (TRM) of 3,238.88 pesos per dollar for 8 October 2026. The government open data portal publishes it. Prices come from Numbeo's crowd-sourced data, updated 2 October 2026, unless noted.

Rent: a one-bedroom outside central Bogotá averaged about $440 a month. A one-bedroom in central Medellín was about $1,030. Larger homes cost more.

Food: Numbeo's minimum grocery budget for Bogotá was about $256 per person a month. We allow up to about $400 per person if you eat out often. Transport: a bus or TransMilenio ride was 3,550 pesos, so 40 rides cost about $44.

Health: an independent worker contributing on the 2026 minimum wage of 1,750,905 pesos pays 12.5% for health, or 218,863 pesos. That is about $68 a month, as reported by ABC Economía. Higher incomes pay more, and many people add private plans.

Totals: these four lines come to about $810 to $1,600 for one person and $1,100 to $2,200 for a couple. Utilities, phone and leisure are extra. Numbeo put non-rent spending for one person in Bogotá at about $700.

## Sources

- [Tasa de Cambio Representativa del Mercado (TRM)](https://www.datos.gov.co/resource/32sa-8pi3.json?$order=vigenciadesde%20DESC&$limit=3), Datos Abiertos Colombia (Superintendencia Financiera data)
- [Cost of Living in Bogota](https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Bogota), Numbeo
- [Cost of Living in Medellin](https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Medellin), Numbeo
- [Food Prices in Bogota](https://www.numbeo.com/food-prices/in/Bogota), Numbeo
- [Seguridad social de independientes sube a 499.008 mensuales](https://abceconomia.co/2025/12/30/seguridad-social-de-independientes-sube-a-499-008-mensuales/), ABC Economía

Facts checked 2026-10-08. Next review by 2027-01-08. Written and reviewed by Todd Allyn, Sovereo Intelligence Research. Canonical page: https://www.sovereo.com/answers/how-much-does-it-cost-to-live-in-colombia-in-2026/
Educational research, not legal, tax, immigration or financial advice.