Are you considering a move to Cali, Colombia, and wondering about the cost of living? Cali is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in Cali and help you understand whether $1114 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $449.25.
|
Restaurants |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant |
3.47 $ |
|
|
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course |
29.76 $ |
|
|
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) |
6.32 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) |
1.12 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
2.48 $ |
|
|
Cappuccino (regular) |
1.5 $ |
|
|
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) |
0.79 $ |
|
|
Water (12 oz small bottle) |
0.64 $ |
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|
Markets |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) |
1.15 $ |
|
|
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) |
1.6 $ |
|
|
Rice (white), (1 lb) |
1.29 $ |
|
|
Eggs (regular) (12) |
2.15 $ |
|
|
Local Cheese (1 lb) |
4.52 $ |
|
|
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) |
5.43 $ |
|
|
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) |
8.54 $ |
|
|
Apples (1 lb) |
2.43 $ |
|
|
Banana (1 lb) |
0.78 $ |
|
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
1.05 $ |
|
|
Tomato (1 lb) |
1.23 $ |
|
|
Potato (1 lb) |
1.15 $ |
|
|
Onion (1 lb) |
1.13 $ |
|
|
Lettuce (1 head) |
0.73 $ |
|
|
Water (1.5 liter bottle) |
0.83 $ |
|
|
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
8.68 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) |
1.05 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
1.69 $ |
|
|
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) |
2.36 $ |
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|
Transportation |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) |
0.67 $ |
|
|
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) |
26.4 $ |
|
|
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) |
1.41 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) |
1.86 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) |
7.44 $ |
|
|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
0.67 $ |
|
|
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) |
18226.72 $ |
|
|
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) |
29145.04 $ |
|
|
Utilities (Monthly) |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
74.69 $ |
|
|
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) |
-- |
|
|
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
23.56 $ |
|
|
Sports And Leisure |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult |
17.58 $ |
|
|
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) |
9.92 $ |
|
|
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat |
4.59 $ |
|
|
Childcare |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child |
241.78 $ |
|
|
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child |
6943.51 $ |
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|
Clothing And Shoes |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) |
50.53 $ |
|
|
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) |
54.39 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) |
96.71 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes |
106.29 $ |
|
|
Rent Per Month |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre |
259.14 $ |
|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre |
198.39 $ |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre |
427.77 $ |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre |
364.89 $ |
|
|
Buy Apartment Price |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre |
944.02 $ |
|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre |
893.64 $ |
|
|
Salaries And Financing |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) |
449.25 $ |
|
|
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate |
11.72 % |
|
The monthly expenses for living in Cali come to a total of approximately $1114. This includes an average monthly rent of around $259 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $86 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $441 per month.
Living in Cali appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $449.25. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Cali, you would likely need an income exceeding $449.25.
In Cali, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $449.25, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.
The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of Cali is approximately $259. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $198.39 for such an apartment.
The expense for groceries in Cali can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $318 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.
The cost of living in Colombia can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout Colombia.
Cali provides a respite from the upheaval occurring in other areas of Colombia. Because of COVID-19 and crime and terrorism in Arauca, Cauca, and Norte de Santander, the US State Department has ranked Colombia as a country with a Level 4 Do Not Travel area. Organized crime has overtaken the country of Colombia with homicide, armed robbery, extortion, kidnapping, and robbery topping the list of problems. The Colombian government signed a peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The terrorist group FARC contains some hold-out factions that refuse to demobilize though. Another terrorist group in the country, the National Liberation Army (ELN) continually plots attacks within the country’s borders. They typically target tourist hotspots, transportation hubs, and local government facilities. They also include religious locations and hotels as attack points as well as major cultural and sports events. Despite this, the country of Colombia did not receive its Level 4 rating until COVID-19.
Despite the political unrest, you’ll probably feel at home since taxis provide a common mode of transport in the city of Cali. The taxicabs provide reliable and the easiest way to hail a cab is using the app EasyTaxi. The minimum fare is $1.40 but goes up just a bit on Sundays and during the evenings after 8 pm.
Throughout the past decade, Cali proved a safer place to visit. It has gone through changes though and become dangerous and violent in many areas. You are likely to get pickpocketed in Cali if you flash your papaya or you look like a tourist. The only way around this is to blend in completely and avoid taking anything of value on the streets with you.
Cali, Colombia experiences many dangerous natural hazards including hurricanes, tropical storms, earthquakes, volcanoes, and a rainy season that results in frequent landslides and floods. Even areas of the country that do not have a local volcano can experience issues from an eruption since the smoke and fire from the volcano travel through the atmosphere.
Muggings occur in Cali frequently. You should leave all of your valuables in the hotel safe. Try to blend in and look as much like a local as possible. Consulting with your hotel’s concierge to learn directions to your destination, then memorizing them so you never need to check them can help you stay safer.
Cali could become a terrorist attack target during its major cultural events such as Carnevale. From August to September each year it offers numerous cultural events that could attract terrorists since they draw attendance from throughout the world. These include the Pacific Music Festival, meeting of Creators of Jazz Fusion and Experimental Jazz, the International Poetry Festival, the World Salsa Festival, the International Book Fair, the International Theater Festival, the International Film Festival, and the Cali Fair. As the major cultural mecca of Valle del Cauca, it gets picked as the destination for many major events, and, as such, terrorists may target it.
You won’t find many street scams or other rip-offs in Cali, but you could get approached by someone about couriering drugs. Regardless of what you’re approached about carrying, always refuse politely and move on quickly.
According to World Nomads, women can safely travel solo to Cali, Colombia. You will do better there if you speak the language and avoid vulnerable situations. This means you should always stay aware of your surroundings. Either avoid drinking or set a limit and never leave your drink unattended or accept drinks from a stranger. Women alone on the street prove a more frequent mugging target so take a taxi or walk with a friend.
In the major cities of Colombia, you can drink the water straight out of the tap. The tap water in Cali, Colombia comes from the Cali River. It undergoes cleaning and potabilization at a treatment plant and is transported to homes and businesses throughout Cali by “clean pipes.”
If you are not a Colombian citizen, you will need your passport to enter and leave Cali, Colombia. You won’t need a Colombian visa unless you plan to stay longer than 90 days, according to the US State Department.
The Colombian peso serves as the currency in the location. You can exchange your dollars for pesos before your trip by visiting the foreign exchange bureau, post office, or bank. Exchanging before you leave can result in better exchange rates.
Colombia experiences some of the nicest weather you can imagine. July, the coldest month in Cali, experiences a high temperature in the mid-60s F. During January, temps hover in the mid-80s F. Nightly lows drop about 20 degrees, so expect a low temperature in the mid-60s during January and February, for example.
You’ll need to fly into Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport, outside of Cali. If you read old travel books, this airport used to be called Palmaseca International Airport.
It makes sense to purchase full travel insurance before visiting Cali. You could get hurt while there or mugged and the travel insurance covers your medical costs. Many people think of it as trip cancellation insurance, but it does much more than that. It can provide travel assistance if you get kidnapped by terrorists, for example.
| Average | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 84°F | 84°F | 84°F | 83°F | 83°F | 83°F | 84°F | 85°F | 84°F | 83°F | 82°F | 83°F |
| Temp | 74°F | 74°F | 74°F | 74°F | 74°F | 74°F | 74°F | 74°F | 74°F | 73°F | 73°F | 73°F |
| Low | 66°F | 67°F | 67°F | 67°F | 67°F | 67°F | 66°F | 66°F | 66°F | 66°F | 66°F | 66°F |
| Average | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 28°C | 28°C | 28°C | 28°C | 28°C | 28°C | 28°C | 29°C | 28°C | 28°C | 27°C | 28°C |
| Temp | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C | 23°C | 22°C | 22°C | 22°C |
| Low | 18°C | 19°C | 19°C | 19°C | 19°C | 19°C | 18°C | 18°C | 18°C | 18°C | 18°C | 18°C |