El Carmen de Bolívar, a vibrant city in Colombia, offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and modern living. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering relocation or planning a visit.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses, from dining and groceries to transportation and housing, helping you make informed financial decisions.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $4.54 on average, with a range between $3.18 and $5.68.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $28.94, with prices ranging from $18.16 to $39.73.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $6.81, with a range between $5.68 and $7.7.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $0.68 to $2.27, imported beer $0.91 to $3.16, cappuccino $0.68 to $4.54, and Coke/Pepsi $0.59 to $1.36.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $0.57 and $1.14 per liter, averaging $0.97.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $0.68 and $1.98, with an average price of $1.22.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.35 to $2.59, averaging $1.88.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $2.27 to $2.84 per kg, while oranges range from $0.72 to $3.25 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.9 and $1 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.45 to $0.77 per head.

Transportation

  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.57 and $0.93 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $1.36, with a cost of $1.59 to $2.72 per km and $3.18 to $5.68 per hour of waiting.

Housing Costs

  • Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre is not specified in the data provided.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment outside the city centre is not specified in the data provided.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $68.1 and $158.91, averaging $112.1.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $18.16 to $31.78, with an average cost of $23.69.
Worldwide
Colombia

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.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Dec, 2024

Cost of Living Data

We don't have enough data available for this city...
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$4.54
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$28.94
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$6.81
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.25
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.82
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.71
Cappuccino (regular)
$1.50
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$0.97
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$1.22
Eggs (regular) (12)
$1.88
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.46
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.75
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$7.95
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.87
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.39
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$1.88
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.78
Apples (1kg)
$2.76
Oranges (1kg)
$2.30
Potato (1kg)
$0.94
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.67
Rice (white), (1kg)
$0.95
Tomato (1kg)
$0.79
Banana (1kg)
$1.18
Onion (1kg)
$1.35
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$6.75
Transportation
Avg / Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.78
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$15,323.60
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.48
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$2.72
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.68
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$22,323.27
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$112.10
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$23.69
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$7.26
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$4.54
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.39
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$45.12
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$77.56
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$59.59
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
0%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$261.07
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$3,026.88
El Carmen de Bolívar Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

El Carmen de Bolívar offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to larger Colombian cities. Dining out is inexpensive, and grocery prices are moderate.

Transportation costs are low, especially for gasoline, making it economical for those who drive.

Utilities and internet services are reasonably priced, contributing to the overall affordability of living in this city.

Conclusion

In conclusion, El Carmen de Bolívar presents a cost-effective living environment with affordable dining, transportation, and utility expenses.

While housing purchase prices are not detailed, the overall cost of living remains accessible, making it an attractive option for both locals and expatriates.