Cost of living in Cartagena
Cartagena, a vibrant city on Colombia's Caribbean coast, is known for its rich history and stunning architecture. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering a move or extended stay.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Cartagena, covering everything from dining and groceries to housing and transportation.
Cost of Living Summary
Dining and Restaurants
- Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $5.35 on average, with a range between $2.96 and $7.96.
- Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $37.54, with prices ranging from $25.02 to $50.05.
- Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $7.96, with a range between $5.69 and $9.1.
- Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $0.8 to $2.27, imported beer $1.14 to $5.69, cappuccino $0.45 to $1.82, and Coke/Pepsi $0.57 to $0.91.
Grocery Prices
- Milk - Milk is priced between $0.8 and $1.14 per liter, averaging $0.94.
- Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $0.91 and $2.23, with an average price of $1.44.
- Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.36 to $2.73, averaging $1.95.
- Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $1.82 to $4.55 per kg, while oranges are consistently priced at $1.59 per kg.
- Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $1.14 and $2.27 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.67 to $1.14 per head.
Transportation
- Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $0.68 and $0.82, with a monthly pass priced between $14.84 and $26.84.
- Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.58 and $0.96 per liter.
- Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $2.16, with a cost of $1.41 to $2.73 per km and $4.55 per hour of waiting.
Housing Costs
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $454.99 to $909.97, averaging $682.48.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $136.5 to $454.99, averaging $310.91.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $1137.47 to $1364.96, averaging $1213.3.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $227.49 to $682.48, averaging $394.32.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre averages $2502.43.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter averages $2537.97.
Utilities
- Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $97.82 and $227.49, averaging $128.45.
- Internet - Internet services range from $13.65 to $54.37, with an average cost of $29.54.
Cost of Living Rankings
The cost of living indices for Colombia are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in Colombia, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.
Cost of Living Data
Restaurants
Restaurants
Markets
Markets
Transportation
Transportation
Rent Per Month
Rent Per Month
Utilities (Monthly)
Utilities (Monthly)
Sports And Leisure
Sports And Leisure
Clothing And Shoes
Clothing And Shoes
Buy Apartment Price
Buy Apartment Price
Salaries And Financing
Salaries And Financing
Childcare
Childcare
"Key Takeaways"
Cartagena offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many Western cities, particularly in terms of dining and housing.
While transportation and utilities are reasonably priced, imported goods and certain leisure activities can be more expensive.
Potential residents can save money by choosing housing outside the city centre and utilizing public transportation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cartagena presents a cost-effective living environment with its affordable dining and housing options.
However, prospective residents should be mindful of the higher costs associated with imported goods and some leisure activities.
Overall, Cartagena is an attractive option for those seeking a vibrant city life without the high costs associated with larger metropolitan areas.