City in Magdalena, Colombia
Cost of living in Santa Marta
How much a month costs in Santa Marta
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $1,270–2,110 ($4.2M–7M).
Prices in Santa Marta
Typical 2026 ranges in COP, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | COP | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | $2M–4.5M | $604–1,360 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | $1.2M–2.5M | $362–755 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | $35,000–80,000 | $11–24 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | $200,000–500,000 | $60–151 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | $12,000–25,000 | $3.6–7.5 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | $35,000–80,000 | $11–24 |
| Cappuccino | $5,000–12,000 | $1.5–3.6 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | $6,000–15,000 | $1.8–4.5 |
| Getting around | ||
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | $9,000–18,000 | $2.7–5.4 |
| Work and life | ||
| Coworking day pass | $40,000–80,000 | $12–24 |
| Gym membership (month) | $90,000–200,000 | $27–60 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | $40,000–80,000 | $12–24 |
Value for money: 50/100
A value score of 50/100 means Santa Marta gives more quality of life per dollar than 49% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 59/100. It's the 10th most affordable of 16 places we cover in Colombia.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Internet | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Colombia
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Salento | $1,060–1,660 | 75/100 |
| San Gil | $1,060–1,660 | 77/100 |
| Jardín | $1,060–1,660 | 73/100 |
| Minca | $1,060–1,750 | 71/100 |
| Palomino | $1,060–1,750 | 66/100 |
| Guatapé | $1,150–1,810 | 70/100 |
| Villa de Leyva | $1,150–1,810 | 69/100 |
| Pereira | $1,360–1,960 | 38/100 |
| Leticia | $1,360–1,960 | 58/100 |
| Santa Marta | $1,270–2,110 | 50/100 |
| Cali | $1,270–2,110 | 56/100 |
| Barranquilla | $1,270–2,110 | 56/100 |
| Medellín | $1,510–2,570 | 30/100 |
| Bogotá | $1,510–2,570 | 33/100 |
| San Andrés | $1,660–2,570 | 42/100 |
| Cartagena | $1,660–2,720 | 27/100 |
Cheaper alternatives to Santa Marta
Similar safety, lower cost, in South America.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Sucre | Bolivia | $457–706 |
| Uyuni | Bolivia | $499–831 |
| Huaraz | Peru | $697–1,100 |
| Huacachina | Peru | $726–1,160 |
| Salta | Argentina | $788–1,310 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Santa Marta?
About $664–966 on a lean budget, $1,270–2,110 for a comfortable month and $2,720–4,530 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Santa Marta?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs $2M–4.5M ($604–1,360) a month in the center and $1.2M–2.5M ($362–755) outside it.
How much does food cost in Santa Marta?
A local meal is $12,000–25,000 ($3.6–7.5); a mid-range restaurant is $35,000–80,000 ($11–24) per person.
Is Colombia expensive?
Prices in Colombia are about 38% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Santa Marta
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.