Living in Medellin

Medellin

Lush hills, street art and friendly locals
Photo by Juan Nino
81
Score

With its lush hills and street art, Medellin is like an open-air exhibition, where brilliant minds convene and let their creativity flow - thanks to the thriving tech scene that is growing here.

Enjoy the cool climate, the mix of modern architecture and humble brick houses, and take in a city that's truly rejuvenated itself.

The Good

  • 🎉 Good nightlife
  • 🤤 Great food options
  • 🍜 Streetfood
  • Coffee
  • 🦄 Strong nomad community
  • ☀️ Fantastic weather
  • 🚌 Good public transport
  • 💸 Very affordable

The Bad

  • 👮 Not the safest
  • 🚘 Traffic
  • 🗑️ Pollution
  • 📡 Unreliable wifi
  • 🥴 Can get a little rowdy

Living costs

Estimated Monthly Living Cost
Medellin
Cheapest () Costliest ()
Colombia
3%
cheaper than Colombia median
53rd
Cheapest out of 291 RoamRank places
  • Medellin is the cheapest place (out of 3) to live in Colombia
  • The average salary in Medellin is
  • It's about 148% cheaper to live in Medellin than it is Prague
  • You can expect to spend around $790.76 per month living here

Work

Internet
60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data
PAYG Sim Card
30 Day / Unlimited Data
--
Airalo eSim
Global eSims for Instant Connectivity
Buy
Coffee
Regular (8-10oz)
Co-Working Space
Per Month
--

Living

Apartment (1 bed)
Median Rent Per Month
Apartment (2 beds)
Median Rent Per Month
--
Airbnb (2 beds)
Median Rent Per Month
--
Utilities
Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage Collection Per Month
Water
0.33 liter bottle

Leisure

Meal
Cheap Restaurant
Meal for 2
Mid Range Restaurant
Local Beer
330ml Bottle
Cocktail
Standard Measure
--
Bottle of Wine
Mid range
Gym Membership
Per Month
Cigarettes
20 pack
Cinema
Admission Per Person
  • Prices are estimates and should be used as a guide only. We accept no responsibility for inaccuracies in data.
  • Prices adjusted to reflect exchange rates as of 3rd Jun 2026

Safety

safe

Medellin has improved significantly in safety over the years, with lower crime rates in many areas, but caution is still advised in certain neighbourhoods.

Transport

Metro

The main way to get around Medellín is through its Metro system, which connects various neighbourhoods and city areas. The metro consists of two main lines that service the metropolitan area, providing a reliable and safe way to travel.

The metro is complemented by an extensive network of Metrocable gondolas that link hilly districts to the metro stations, offering stunning views of the city during your commute.

Bus

Medellín has a comprehensive bus system that covers most parts of the city. The main terminal is located at the San Diego Bus Terminal, and buses are generally cheap and frequent. You can also use the Integrated Public Transport System (SITP), which allows for seamless transfers between buses and metro lines.

TransMilenio

The TransMilenio is another option, which provides rapid transit across the city via dedicated bus lanes, significantly reducing travel time compared to standard buses.

Taxis

Taxis are widely available throughout Medellín and are a convenient option for getting around. Cabs can be flagged down on the street or booked via phone. Ensure that the meter is used to avoid overcharging.

Ridesharing

Ridesharing services such as Uber and DiDi operate in Medellín, offering a convenient and often cheaper alternative to traditional taxis. These apps allow you to book rides directly from your smartphone, making it easy to navigate the city with just a few taps.

Bicycle

For eco-friendly travel, Medellín has been investing in dedicated bike lanes and rental services. The BiciMedellín program allows you to rent bikes at various points across the city, encouraging cycling as a convenient means of transport.

Ride hailing apps

The must have ride hailing apps to ensure you can get from A to B

Internet speed

Poor

Download
14.3Mbps
Upload
11.1Mbps
Latency
40ms
Select a tile
Click a tile to see median wifi speed data for that area. Speeds are shown in Mbps.
Download speed
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Time difference

Medellin

When to visit

Current weather
The weather in June is really warm with temperatures around 27°
Best time to visit

Dec to March or July to Aug

Medellín's weather is generally nice all year-round, but the dry seasons (December to March and July to August) are often considered the best times to visit. During these months, there is less rain and more sunshine, which is ideal for outdoor activities and exploring the city.
Worst time to visit

April to May or Sep to Nov

Medellín has two rainy seasons: April to May and September to November. During these periods, there's a higher chance of heavy rainfall and cloud cover, which might limit outdoor activities and sightseeing.

Average temperatures

28°
28°
28°
27°
27°
28°
28°
28°
27°
27°
27°
27°
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Who it suits

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