Cartagena Cost of Living 2026Estimated
Colombia β’ South America
Anchor Cost Index
Affordable
πAnchor Price Breakdown β vs Global Average
πAnchor Price Breakdown
βΉοΈSources: Public economic data, market researchπ΅Monthly Budget Scenarios
βΉοΈBased on crowdsourced price dataMonthly Budget Range
$1,221
$1,643
πUseful Resources for Cartagena
* Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
πRelated Guides & Articles
π°Similar Cost Cities
πOthers in South America
π How Cartagena Compares
Understanding Cost Index
π‘Tips for Living in Cartagena
Affordable Housing: With average rent at $549.00/month for a 1-bedroom apartment, Cartagena offers relatively affordable housing compared to global averages. Consider negotiating directly with landlords for better rates.
Food & Drinks: A Big Mac costs $3.61 and a Starbucks latte goes for $2.81 in Cartagena. Eating at local restaurants instead of international chains can save 40-60% on food costs.
Getting Around: A 5km Uber ride costs $2.88 in Cartagena. Ride-hailing is very affordable here β use it freely for short distances.
Digital Nomad Budget: Plan for approximately $1,240/month as a digital nomad in Cartagena, covering coworking, accommodation, food, and local transport.
Best Time to Move: Research visa requirements for Colombia well in advance. Costs shown are in USD and may fluctuate with exchange rates.
βFrequently Asked Questions About Cartagena
What is the cost of living in Cartagena, Colombia?
Cartagena has an Anchor Cost Index of 38/100, making it affordable. A 1-bedroom apartment costs $549.00/month, a Big Mac is $3.61, and an Uber ride (5km) costs $2.88.Cartagena ranks #94 out of 160 cities worldwide.
How much does rent cost in Cartagena?
The average 1-bedroom apartment in Cartagena costs $549.00/month. This is below the global average of $950.72/month. A digital nomad can expect to spend around $1,240/month total in Cartagena.
Is Cartagena expensive compared to other cities?
Cartagena is more expensive than 65 cities and cheaper than 91 cities in our database. In South America, it ranks #6 out of 14 cities. Cities with similar costs include Beijing, Krakow, Rio de Janeiro.
How much money do I need to live in Cartagena?
Monthly budgets vary by lifestyle: a backpacker needs ~$1,221/mo, a digital nomad ~$1,240/mo, a small family ~$2,159/mo, and an expat professional ~$1,643/mo. These include housing, food, transport, and lifestyle expenses.
π Data Sources
We aggregate data from trusted sources to provide accurate cost of living comparisons. All prices are converted to USD.
Purchasing power parity indicator
Verified price data from multiple sources
Taxi, rideshare, public transit prices
Streaming services, digital platforms
Data is updated periodically. Prices may vary based on location, promotions, and exchange rates.