How Much Does It Cost to Live In Cali?
Cali is either known as the city of Salsa or medicine, and even though it is a populous city nowadays, the old spirit has been preserved in its architecture and culture.
The potential residents of Cali can be attracted by numerous beauties of this city, but one is sure – they need to have an idea about how much it costs to live a good life here before they make a decision to relocate to Cali.
Colombia : Cost of Living by City
RESTAURANTS
In case you are a person who loves going out to eat and drink, it is advised to rarely go to the fancy places, but to choose less luxurious ones, as it will make a huge hole in your budget.
If you want to eat cheap, you can eat like the locals in inexpensive restaurants in the city.
MARKETS
If you do not buy imported food, you could easily save 30-50% on your groceries, due to the fact that it is quite expensive, especially the organic food.
Foodstuff in stores cost substantially more than buying local products at the local markets or huge supermarkets that offer discounts.
TRANSPORTATION
It is suggested that if you can live without a car, you should do so because of the terrific traffic in Cali.
The traffic jams are everywhere and it would be easier and faster to reach the place where you go by public transport system, which is more than affordable.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
When it comes to utilities, the city is, as all the other cities in Colombia, divided into estratos, something like districts and they range from 1 to 6.
That way the neighborhoods are classified as either poor, middle class or rich, and the price of utilities vary from one estrado to another.
SPORTS & LEISURE
If you are a person who likes doing sports and entertaining himself/herself, you would be glad to know that the prices here are not high and would not affect your budget so much.
Both tennis court rent and cinema tickets are quite cheaper than in many other cities in the world.
CLOTHING & SHOES
Spending on wardrobe would take most of the money if you buy only designers clothes.
The hugest spending on this account is directed towards kids, as the quality clothes for them are quite expensive here.
An option for you to save on this is to buy clothes that are not branded.
RENT PER MONTH
When you are choosing a house or apartment in a building, you should know that neighborhoods are divided into estrados, and the price among them vary.
All in all, the rent prices are not high and can be affordable even by those who earn the average salary.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Cali
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $2.54 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $0.87 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.56 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $3.31 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $0.87 |
| Eggs (12) | $1.39 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $0.63 |
| Monthly Pass | $25.35 |
| Gasoline | $2.47 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $50.78 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.04 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $28.29 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $26.37 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $8.24 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $3.17 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $56.11 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $39.51 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $76.23 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $173.51 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $190.15 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $301.07 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Cali?
If you have been tracking the expenses of the citizens of Cali, you can get a rough estimate about your future life there when your budget is in question.
What a good life includes differs from person to person, but no matter how you decide to live, food will definitely take you the most of monthly budget.
When it comes to leisure and sport activities, you can probably do cheaper and most certainly spend less time and money on it, depending on your lifestyle.
Average Costs Breakdown
Cali: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
To get a realistic picture of how much it costs to live a comfortable life in Cali is impossible, due to the distinctions among people.
If you are coming as a family here, you will have 30 to 40% higher expenses and your salary might not be enough to cover all of them.
As a single, you will be able to live a decent life with the average salary.
Saving money on rent by buying the property is an excellent idea, but bear in mind that the mortgage interest rates are so high.
Cali Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Cali Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
- MUGGING RISK: HIGH
- TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Cost of Living by City in Cali
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Barranquilla | 34.04 |
| Bogota | 35.05 |
| Medellin | 33.82 |
