Cost Of Living For a Family in Bucaramanga 2024
Average monthly spending for families in Bucaramanga
We consider a family to be a member of four members, two adults and two children. This is the most common type of family. From the figures below, it should be fairly easy to calculate the average spending for families of different sizes.
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: COP
How much money does a family need in a month to survive in Bucaramanga?
Families in Bucaramanga spend around 13M COP per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a family can survive with a monthly budget as low as 4.6M COP or as high as 85M COP. Location and income are very important factors and have a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Bucaramanga
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
| 8,600 COP | 17,000 COP | 29,000 COP |
Restaurant meal for one
| 29,000 COP | 43,000 COP | 87,000 COP |
Fine dining meal for one
| 58,000 COP | 87,000 COP | 350,000 COP |
Cappuccino or latte
| 7,200 COP | 11,000 COP | 17,000 COP |
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
| 5,700 COP | 6,900 COP | 8,600 COP |
12 eggs
| 4,300 COP | 5,700 COP | 8,600 COP |
Fresh whole chicken
| 9,800 COP | 13,000 COP | 18,000 COP |
Pack of beef
| 11,000 COP | 17,000 COP | 34,000 COP |
Medium bag of rice
| 4,600 COP | 6,300 COP | 9,000 COP |
Bag of tomatos
| 1,700 COP | 2,300 COP | 4,300 COP |
Bag of apples
| 3,100 COP | 4,000 COP | 6,600 COP |
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
| 7,200 COP | 8,700 COP | 17,000 COP |
Average car full tank
| 43,000 COP | 57,000 COP | 110,000 COP |
Average car 1-day rental
| 44,000 COP | 59,000 COP | 88,000 COP |
Average car price
Bus ticket one way
| 1,500 COP | 2,200 COP | 4,400 COP |
Car Service
| 59,000 COP | 88,000 COP | 180,000 COP |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Family
| 230,000 COP | 650,000 COP | 4.2M COP |
Internet and cable
| 43,000 COP | 86,000 COP | 110,000 COP |
Mobile phone charges
| 34,000 COP | 57,000 COP | 170,000 COP |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 21,000 COP | 29,000 COP | 43,000 COP |
One month gym membership
| 70,000 COP | 88,000 COP | 180,000 COP |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 52,000 COP | 73,000 COP | 110,000 COP |
Woman dress
| 49,000 COP | 68,000 COP | 220,000 COP |
Woman shoes
| 46,000 COP | 63,000 COP | 150,000 COP |
Men's shoes
| 40,000 COP | 49,000 COP | 98,000 COP |
Men suit
| 44,000 COP | 55,000 COP | 290,000 COP |
Regular t-shirt
| 22,000 COP | 29,000 COP | 88,000 COP |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 730,000 COP | 1.1M COP | 2.9M COP |
1-bedroom apartment
| 1.1M COP | 1.8M COP | 4.4M COP |
2-bedroom apartment
| 1.5M COP | 2.2M COP | 5.9M COP |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 150M COP | 220M COP | 440M COP |
1-bedroom apartment
| 180M COP | 290M COP | 1,100M COP |
2-bedroom apartment
| 290M COP | 880M COP | 1,800M COP |
| $74,000 | $220,000 | $440,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 860,000 COP | 1.1M COP | 1.4M COP |
Double Bed
| 570,000 COP | 860,000 COP | 1.1M COP |
Single Bed
| 510,000 COP | 660,000 COP | 860,000 COP |
Living Room
| 960,000 COP | 1.2M COP | 4.3M COP |
Dining Table
| 430,000 COP | 570,000 COP | 1.1M COP |
Sofa or Couch
| 570,000 COP | 780,000 COP | 1.7M COP |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 570,000 COP | 860,000 COP | 1.7M COP |
Fridge or Freezer
| 510,000 COP | 780,000 COP | 1.1M COP |
Washing Machine
| 660,000 COP | 960,000 COP | 1.7M COP |
Stove or Cooker
| 610,000 COP | 780,000 COP | 1.1M COP |
Mobile Phone
| 720,000 COP | 860,000 COP | 1.2M COP |
Laptop or Computer
| 780,000 COP | 960,000 COP | 1.7M COP |
Family expenditure to income ratio in Bucaramanga
Analysing the how affordable it is for families to live in Bucaramanga
One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in. Families usually spend a larger chunk of their income than other population groups. A typical and healthy expenditure percentage for a family of four ranges between 70% to 80%.
Spending to Income Ratio
88%
81% to 97%
( expenditure / income ) x 100
Families in Bucaramanga spend around 88% of their monthly income.
Some families spend as low as 81% of their income while some as high as 97%.
How do families spend their money in Bucaramanga?
We asked thousands of families about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for families
Accomodation Cost26%
26% of total expenses on average (21% to 36%)
| LOW | $370 1.5M COP |
| AVERAGE | $1,100 4.2M COP |
| HIGH | $6,900 27M COP |
| Per Month |
Families in Bucaramanga typically spend from 21% to 36% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 26% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 4.2M COP with expenditure ranging from 1.5M COP to 27M COP. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for families
Cost of utilities6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 9%)
| LOW | $58 230,000 COP |
| AVERAGE | $170 650,000 COP |
| HIGH | $1,100 4.2M COP |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Bucaramanga ranges from 4% to 9% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most families. The average monthly cost of utilities is 650,000 COP with 230,000 COP and 4.2M COP being the upper and lower limits for a family of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for families
Cost of transport and fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 7%)
| LOW | $120 460,000 COP |
| AVERAGE | $330 1.3M COP |
| HIGH | $2,100 8.5M COP |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a family resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a family would expect to spend from 460,000 COP to 8.5M COP in a month on commuting with 1.3M COP being the norm for most families. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 5% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 7%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for families
Food and Groceries Cost21%
21% of total expenses on average (14% to 27%)
| LOW | $210 820,000 COP |
| AVERAGE | $600 2.3M COP |
| HIGH | $3,900 15M COP |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical family in a month in Bucaramanga is 2.3M COP. The cost of groceries can range between 820,000 COP to 15M COP. Families spend on average about 21% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 14% and 27% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for families
Cost of healthcare11%
11% of total expenses on average (7% to 16%)
| LOW | $100 410,000 COP |
| AVERAGE | $330 1.3M COP |
| HIGH | $1,700 6.8M COP |
| Per Month |
Families in Bucaramanga allocate 7% to 16% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 11%. The range of medical expenses range from 410,000 COP to 6.8M COP with 1.3M COP being the norm for most families.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for families
Cost of leisure and shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)
| LOW | $58 230,000 COP |
| AVERAGE | $170 650,000 COP |
| HIGH | $1,100 4.2M COP |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 230,000 COP to 4.2M COP with 650,000 COP being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 1% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 2% for most families.
Education and schooling expenditure for families
Cost of education and schooling13%
13% of total expenses on average (6% to 21%)
| LOW | $160 640,000 COP |
| AVERAGE | $460 1.8M COP |
| HIGH | $3,000 12M COP |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different families. On average, education constitutes 13% of the monthly expenditure of families with 6% and 21% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 1.8M COP per month with 640,000 COP being the minimum spent amount and 12M COP being the maximum.
Other Expenses16%
16% of total expenses on average (9% to 21%)
| LOW | $93 370,000 COP |
| AVERAGE | $260 1M COP |
| HIGH | $1,700 6.8M COP |
| Per Month |
What percentage of families in Bucaramanga are able to save money and how much can they save?
Percentage of families that reported their ability to save money
Almost 53% of surveyed families in Bucaramanga said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 47% reported that they have to utilize their whole income to survive.
Savings-to-Income Ratio
The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.
How much money do families manage to add to their savings?
The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
1.6M COP
$400 | 4.5M COP
$1,100 | 29M COP
$7,400 |
Savings to income distribution levels for families
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Families |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 39% |
| 10% - 20% | 30% |
| 20% - 30% | 20% |
| 30% - 40% | 5% |
| 40% - 50% | 4% |
| > 50% | 2% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Families that are able to save money can put anywhere from 7.8% to 25% of their monthly income to their savings, with 14% being the average for most families. The average monthly amount of money that families can put aside is 4.5M COP with 1.6M COP and 29M COP being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Saving Challenges in Bucaramanga
Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money
We wanted to understand what is stopping families from maximizing their savings in Bucaramanga. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.
| Reason | % People |
|---|
| Low Income | 5% |
| High Expenses | 8% |
| Debt and Loans | 13% |
| Lack of Budgeting Skills | 12% |
| Impulsive Spending | 12% |
| Financial Emergencies | 7% |
| Living the moment | 5% |
| Will do it later | 21% |
| Inflation | 13% |
| Social Pressure | 3% |
| Market Instability | 2% |
Around 5% of the families said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 8% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 13% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 12% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 12% of families blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 7% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 5% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 21% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 13% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 2% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.
Typical saving choices for families in Bucaramanga
Where do people choose to put their savings?
| Saving Type | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Funds | 12% |
| Gold | 13% |
| Savings Accounts | 17% |
| Retirement Accounts | 10% |
| Cash Savings | 21% |
| Real Estate | 9% |
| Investment | 5% |
| Stocks | 4% |
| Bonds | 5% |
| Mutual Funds | 2% |
| Certificates of Deposit | 3% |
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Bucaramanga
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked families one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Bucaramanga?
Around 61% of surveyed families think that living in Bucaramanga is affordable with proper budgeting while 39% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Bucaramanga
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked families how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options58%
Few low-cost options43%
Based on the survey, 58% of the families living in Bucaramanga have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 43% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Families
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked families of Bucaramanga whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes61%
No39%
Based on the survey, 39% of the families living in Bucaramanga said that they don't have an emergency fund while 61% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Colombia
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy58%
We asked family guardians and parents in Bucaramanga whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 42% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 58% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether families of Colombia have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 33% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 67% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance33%
Easily manages finances67%
Financial goals of families in Bucaramanga
In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Bucaramanga, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.
| Financial Goal | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Fund | 8% |
| Debt Reduction | 42% |
| Retirement Savings | 10% |
| Education Funding | 7% |
| Homeownership | 18% |
| Investing | 6% |
| Travel or Lifestyle | 7% |
| Healthcare Expenses | 14% |
| Financial Independence | 5% |
Around 8% of families said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 42% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 10% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 7% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 18% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 6% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 7% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 14% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.
Debt, loans, and mortgages in Bucaramanga
Percentage of families who are in debt
According to the survey, 24% of the families in Bucaramanga have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 76% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.
Debt-to-income ratio in Bucaramanga
Debt to income ratio
30%
22% to 39%
( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100
Interpretation
The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 30% of a family's monthly income in Bucaramanga goes to debt settlement.
Debt levelsMonthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income
| Debt-to-income ratio | % People |
|---|
| > 60% | 3% |
| 50% - 60% | 18% |
| 40% - 50% | 14% |
| 30% - 40% | 16% |
| 20% - 30% | 10% |
| 10% - 20% | 12% |
| 0% - 10% | 25% |
According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Bucaramanga pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 18% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 14% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 16% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 10% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.
Distribution by type of debt in Bucaramanga
| Debt | % People |
|---|
| Real Estate Mortgage | 8% |
| Auto Loan | 15% |
| Student Loan | 4% |
| Credit Card | 30% |
| Personal Loan | 43% |
8% of debtors in Bucaramanga confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 30% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 15% of people and personal loans rose at 43%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Bucaramanga.
About credit score and debt managementManaging debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.
Good debt vs. Bad debt
Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.
Loan Affordability Index in Bucaramanga
Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked families of Bucaramanga how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.
Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.
| Frequency | % People |
|---|
| Never | 50% |
| Once a year | 24% |
| Twice a year | 13% |
| Three times a year | 9% |
| Four times a year | 4% |
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Bucaramanga
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Bucaramanga
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 730,000 COP | 1.1M COP | 2.9M COP |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 1.1M COP | 1.8M COP | 4.4M COP |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 1.5M COP | 2.2M COP | 5.9M COP |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 3.5M COP | 8.8M COP | 18M COP |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 2.9M COP | 4.4M COP | 13M COP |
House monthly rent cost
| 3.5M COP | 8.8M COP | 18M COP |
Villa monthly rent cost
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Bucaramanga ranges between 730,000 COP and 2.9M COP, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 1.1M COP to 4.4M COP. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 1.5M COP and 5.9M COP per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 1.8M COP to 8M COP. The average rent of a townhouse in Bucaramanga is around 4.4M COP while house rental costs can be as high as 8.8M COP per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 4.4M COP to 18M COP per month.
Apartment and house prices in Bucaramanga
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 150M COP | 220M COP | 440M COP |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 180M COP | 290M COP | 1,100M COP |
2-bedroom apartment price
| 290M COP | 880M COP | 1,800M COP |
| $74,000 | $220,000 | $440,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 980M COP | 1,500M COP | 4,400M COP |
Townhouse price
| 1,300M COP | 2,900M COP | 11,000M COP |
House price
| 1,500M COP | 8,800M COP | 13,000M COP |
Villa price
| 1,800M COP | 9,800M COP | 15,000M COP |
The average price of a studio apartment in Bucaramanga can range from 150M COP to 440M COP depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 180M COP to 1,100M COP. A villa can cost you 9,800M COP on average with prices ranging from 1,800M COP to 15,000M COP.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Bucaramanga will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 32 | x92 monthly income | 192 |
Property prices in Bucaramanga can be x92 to x192 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x92 multiples of the average monthly salary in Bucaramanga.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Bucaramanga is around 28%. This means that people pay 28% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 19% to 38% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
26% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 13,000 COP | 170,000 COP | 1.7M COP |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Bucaramanga
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Bucaramanga
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family
| 230,000 COP | 650,000 COP | 4.2M COP |
Internet and cable cost
| 43,000 COP | 86,000 COP | 110,000 COP |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 34,000 COP | 57,000 COP | 170,000 COP |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of families is around 650,000 COP. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 43,000 COP to 110,000 COP with 86,000 COP being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 57,000 COP but can range between 34,000 COP and 170,000 COP depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Bucaramanga is around 5.9%. This means that people pay 5.9% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2.9% to 9.8% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Bucaramanga
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Bucaramanga
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
| 8,600 COP | 17,000 COP | 29,000 COP |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Bucaramanga is approximatly 17,000 COP with meal cost ranging from 8,600 COP to 29,000 COP. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 29,000 COP | 43,000 COP | 87,000 COP |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 29,000 COP and 87,000 COP with 43,000 COP being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Bucaramanga.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 58,000 COP | 87,000 COP | 350,000 COP |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 58,000 COP to 350,000 COP with the average cost being 87,000 COP for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Bucaramanga.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
| 7,200 COP | 11,000 COP | 17,000 COP |
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Bucaramanga is around 11,000 COP. Price ranges between 7,200 COP and 17,000 COP depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
| 5,700 COP | 6,900 COP | 8,600 COP |
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Bucaramanga is 6,900 COP. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 8,600 COP and the minimum being 5,700 COP depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
| 4,300 COP | 5,700 COP | 8,600 COP |
A dozen eggs costs around 5,700 COP on average with 4,300 COP and 8,600 COP being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
| 9,800 COP | 13,000 COP | 18,000 COP |
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Bucaramanga is between 9,800 COP and 18,000 COP depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 13,000 COP.
Pack of beef price
| 11,000 COP | 17,000 COP | 34,000 COP |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 17,000 COP. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
| 4,600 COP | 6,300 COP | 9,000 COP |
A bag of rice in Bucaramanga costs around 6,300 COP on average with prices rangeing between 4,600 COP and 9,000 COP depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
| 1,700 COP | 2,300 COP | 4,300 COP |
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 1,700 COP to 4,300 COP. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
| 3,100 COP | 4,000 COP | 6,600 COP |
A bag of apples costs 4,000 COP on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Bucaramanga is around 26%. This means that families spend 26% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 19% to 32% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for families
Families' spending on grocery ranges from 820,000 COP to 15M COP with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.
