What Is the Cost of Living in Cali ?
Cali, the Valle del Cauca Department capital, is the city with the maximum population in southwestern Colombia. However, the city has preserved its old spirit in its culture and architecture. This city is known as the city of medicine or the city of Salsa.
The spectacular beauty of Cali attracts people from every corner of the globe. Nevertheless, it is very important to know the cost of living in Cali, Colombia, before relocating to this city.
What Is the Average Cost of Living in Cali?
Before moving to a new city, it is crucial to know the monthly expense to plan out the budget accordingly. This will help you manage your spending and lead a comfortable life in the new city. The average cost of living in Cali for a family of four is approximately Col$ 6,600, and that of a bachelor is Col$ 2,800 per month.
What Are the Top Expenses of Living in Cali?
There are several areas of expense that impact the monthly expenses for living in Cali. These include –
1. Accommodation
The neighbourhoods in Cali are divided into estrados, and the monthly rent for the housing varies from region to region within the city. In general, the monthly rents are quite affordable, and anyone who earns an average salary can afford a decent living space in Cali. The table below shows the approximate rent per month of different types of living space in Cali –
| Classification of Accommodation | Location | Rent Per Month |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment | Centre of Cali | Col$ 8,08,000 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment | Outside the Centre of Cali | Col$ 6,00,000 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment | Centre of Cali | Col$ 15,00,000 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment | Outside the Centre of Cali | Col$ 12,50,000 |
| Apartment | Centre of Cali | Col$ 34,00,000 |
| Apartment | Outside the Centre of Cali | Col$ 31,00,000 |
2. Groceries
There are several local markets in Cali that offer grocery items and food products at very nominal prices. However, the monthly expense on groceries increases if an individual shops for imported products from huge supermarkets.
| Grocery Items | Approximate Price |
|---|---|
| Milk (regular) (1 litre) | Col$ 3,000 |
| Fresh Bread (500g) | Col$ 3,500 |
| Rice (white) (1kg) | Col$ 3,000 |
| Eggs (regular) (1 dozen) | Col$ 6,000 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | Col$ 13,000 |
| Chicken 1 kg (boneless) | Col$ 15,000 |
| Apples (1kg) | Col$ 7,000 |
| Banana (1kg) | Col$ 2,500 |
| Oranges (1kg) | Col$ 3,000 |
| Tomato (1kg) | Col$ 4,000 |
| Potato (1kg) | Col$ 4,000 |
| Onion (1kg) | Col$ 3,000 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | Col$ 2,500 |
3. Transportation
Cali has terrific traffic jams throughout the day. Therefore, the best way to avoid this issue is to use public transportation as the primary mode of commuting. Moreover, the public transportation system in Cali is quite affordable.
| Fuel Cost/Transportation Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| One-way ticket (public transport) | Col$ 2,300 |
| Monthly pass (public transport) | Col$ 1,25,000 |
| Taxi 1 km normal tariff | Col$ 5,500 |
| Price of diesel (as of 13th June 2022) | Col$ 2445.76 per litre |
| Price of gasoline (as of 13th June 2022) | Col$ 2480.89 per litre |
4. Utilities
Just like the monthly rents of living space, the cost of basic utilities also varied from region to region within the city. The table below provides the approximate cost of various utilities in Cali –
| Utilities | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Electricity, cooling, heating, water, garbage | Col$ 2,40,000 |
| Local prepaid mobile tariff (1 min) | Col$ 140 |
| Unlimited internet package | Col$ 92,000 |
5. Entertainment
Individuals, who love to spend their leisure time playing certain sports, will be glad to know that the cost of sporting in Cali is quite affordable. Furthermore, there are several bars and luxury restaurants in the city where you can relax and enjoy yourself.
| Area of Expense | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 month gym membership | Col$ 74,000 |
| 1 hour rent for a tennis court | Col$ 24,000 |
| 1 seat at a cinema hall | Col$ 15,000 |
| Meal in an affordable restaurant (1 person) | Col$ 10,000 |
| Three-course meal in a mid-range restaurant | Col$ 60,000 |
| McMeal at McDonald's | Col$ 18,000 |
6. Childcare and Schooling
While evaluating the cost of living in Cali for a family, it is essential to know the tuition fees for children's schooling.
| Schools and Childcare | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Preschool, private, full-day for 1 child (monthly) | Col$ 7,00,000 |
| International primary school for 1 child (yearly) | Col$ 1,90,00,000 |
Some of the best universities in Cali, Colombia include –
- ISEAD Business School
- Grenoble Ecole de Management
- Anderson University South Carolina
- EAN University
- Access Masters
- Universidad Cooperativa De Colombia
- Universidad Juan N Corpas
- University of Antioquia
How Expensive Is Cali Compared to Other Top Cities?
Cali is considered the fourth cheapest city in Latin America. Furthermore, the cost of living in this city is cheaper than 93% of cities in the world. Consumer prices are 72.31% lower in Cali than in New York.
To summarise, the cost of living in Cali, Colombia is relatively lower than most of the cities in the world. Someone who is moving to Cali as a bachelor will be able to lead a decent and comfortable life with an average salary. However, expect the costs to go up by 30% to 40% if you move to this city with your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cali a cheap city to live in?
The cost of living in Cali is considered less than 93% of the cities in the whole world.
Is Cali more expensive than Mexico?
No, Cali is 21.2% less expensive than Mexico. (3)