Cost of living in Santa Marta (Colombia) is 53% cheaper than in Columbus, Ohio (United States)
We need your help!
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
Do you know the prices in Columbus, Ohio or in Santa Marta? You can help!
Improve the prices for Columbus, Ohio! Improve the prices for Santa Marta!

WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 496 prices entered by 46 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
Food | - 51% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Santa Marta (Colombia) is 51% cheaper than in Columbus, Ohio (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Santa Marta | Columbus, Ohio | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | COL$36,185 ($9) | $15 | - 41% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | COL$23,990 ($5.68) | $8 | - 32% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | COL$10,933 ($2.59) | $4.71 | - 45% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | COL$3,222 ($0.76) | $1.06 | - 28% | |
12 eggs, large | COL$13,383 ($3.17) | $3.90 | - 19% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | COL$3,824 ($0.91) | $4.45 | - 80% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | COL$11,622 ($2.75) | $6 | - 56% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | COL$8,246 ($1.95) | $3.45 | - 43% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | COL$3,538 ($0.84) | $1.90 | - 56% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | COL$4,144 ($0.98) | $6 | - 84% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | COL$42,805 ($10) | $17 | - 40% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | COL$5,301 ($1.26) | $2.65 | - 53% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | COL$5,701 ($1.35) | $2.63 | - 49% | |
Housing | - 65% | |||
Housing in Santa Marta (Colombia) is 65% cheaper than in Columbus, Ohio (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Santa Marta | Columbus, Ohio | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | COL$3,141,650 ($744) | $2,014 | - 63% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | COL$3,607,710 ($855) | $1,390 | - 39% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | COL$471,399 ($112) | $245 | - 54% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | COL$2,075,670 ($492) | $1,474 | - 67% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | COL$930,958 ($221) | $1,010 | - 78% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | COL$303,112 ($72) | $140 | - 49% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | COL$87,932 ($21) | $52 | - 60% | |
40” flat screen tv | COL$1,151,440 ($273) | $290 | - 6% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | COL$343,441 ($81) | $138 | - 41% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | COL$23,851 ($5.65) | $12 | - 53% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | COL$11,117 ($2.63) | $39 | - 93% | |
Clothes | - 49% | |||
Clothes in Santa Marta (Colombia) is 49% cheaper than in Columbus, Ohio (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Santa Marta | Columbus, Ohio | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | COL$190,556 ($45) | $65 | - 30% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | COL$137,692 ($33) | $71 | - 54% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | COL$369,019 ($87) | $97 | - 10% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | COL$250,318 ($59) | $188 | - 68% | |
Transportation | - 31% | |||
Transportation in Santa Marta (Colombia) is 31% cheaper than in Columbus, Ohio (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Santa Marta | Columbus, Ohio | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | COL$94,237,100 ($22,328) | $27,148 | - 18% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | COL$5,851 ($1.39) | $0.91 | + 52% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | COL$142,131 ($34) | $58 | - 42% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | COL$19,307 ($4.57) | $20 | - 78% | |
Personal Care | - 46% | |||
Personal Care in Santa Marta (Colombia) is 46% cheaper than in Columbus, Ohio (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Santa Marta | Columbus, Ohio | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | COL$28,136 ($7) | $7 | - 7% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | COL$31,045 ($7) | $27 | - 73% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | COL$140,013 ($33) | $116 | - 71% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | COL$24,066 ($5.70) | $7 | - 16% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | COL$13,081 ($3.10) | $2.41 | + 29% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | COL$27,163 ($6) | $3.07 | + 110% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | COL$8,961 ($2.12) | $4.05 | - 48% | |
Tube of toothpaste | COL$5,457 ($1.29) | $1.73 | - 25% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | COL$38,418 ($9) | $31 | - 71% | |
Entertainment | - 68% | |||
Entertainment in Santa Marta (Colombia) is 68% cheaper than in Columbus, Ohio (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Santa Marta | Columbus, Ohio | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | COL$39,924 ($9) | $45 | - 79% | |
2 tickets to the movies | COL$30,415 ($7) | $20 | - 64% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | COL$125,010 ($30) | $71 | - 58% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | COL$110,325 ($26) | $70 | - 63% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | COL$31,227 ($7) | $11 | - 33% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | COL$9,532 ($2.26) | $4.83 | - 53% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | COL$6,786 ($1.61) | $7 | - 76% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | COL$1,721,170 ($408) | $498 | - 18% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | COL$110 ($0.03) | $0.39 | - 93% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | COL$106,452 ($25) | $46 | - 45% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | COL$9,821 ($2.33) | $8 | - 72% | |
![]() |
TOTAL | - 53% |

These prices were last updated on June 07, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00024
USD
/
COP
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Barcelona, Spain is about the same as in Madrid
- Cost of living in Singapore is 63% more expensive than in Dubai
- Cost of living in Johor Bahru is 74% cheaper than in Singapore
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 32% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in New York City is 19% more expensive than in London
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 13% cheaper than in Santiago, Chile
- Cost of living in Medellín is 6% cheaper than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in Kuala Lumpur is 72% cheaper than in Singapore
- Cost of living in Singapore is 25% more expensive than in Hong Kong
- Cost of living in Port Moresby is 19% cheaper than in Adelaide
Compare other countries
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $5,600 in Columbus, Ohio you would need to make just about $2,652 (COL$11,193,061) in Santa Marta.
Do you live in Columbus, Ohio? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Baltimore, Maryland (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Miami, Florida (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Atlanta, Georgia (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Ottawa (Canada)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Detroit, Michigan (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Omaha, Nebraska (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Raleigh, North Carolina (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica)
Prices recently added
- 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Nuuk, Greenland costs kr80 (about 1 hour ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in San Salvador costs $17 (about 1 hour ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Belford Roxo costs R$ 20 (about 1 hour ago)
- Internet connection 300 mbps, 1 month in Mexico City costs Mex$ 650 (about 1 hour ago)
- Public transport in Cuernavaca costs Mex$ 400 (about 2 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Kaohsiung City costs 200 NT$ (about 2 hours ago)