FREE REPORT
BEST PLACES TO RETIRE
*No spam: We will NEVER give your email address to anyone else.

Cali, Colombia

Get Your Free Colombia Report Today!


Learn more about COLOMBIA and other countries in our free, daily Overseas Opportunity Letter. Simply enter your email address below and we’ll send you our FREE REPORT - Colombia: The World's Next Top Retirement & Investment Haven

One Of The World's Top Overseas Retirement Havens

Cali: Colombia’s City Of Eternal Summer (And Salsa!)

Santiago de Cali, also known as Cali, is considered the salsa capital of Colombia and the “city of eternal summer.” Cali is one of the oldest cities in the Americas, founded in 1536 by the Spaniards, the area having been inhabited by indigenous tribes before their arrival.

Cali is located in a valley with mountains to the west, the Cauca River to the east and plains to the north and south. It is situatedat 3,340 feet (1,018 meters), with a warm climate and little pollution. The official language of Colombia (and Cali) is Spanish, used for all government transactions, as well as in most business situations.

If you are interested in moving to Cali and buying property, you’ll be interested to know that real estate prices can be significantly cheaper here than in Colombia’s more popular destinations, Bogota and Medellin. The property industry in Cali is fairly well organized, with a number of great deals always on the market.

The city has a well built up infrastructure with reliable electricity, phone service, and high-speed internet. Roads and highways within the city are well-maintained, so owning a vehicle won’t require extra amounts of maintenance. You’ll find many of the typical conveniences that you’re used to back home, from shopping malls to boutiques, large banks with branches around the city, and tons of great dining options. With 150 multinational companies located in Cali, your job prospects are much greater than some of South America’s other top destinations.

In Cali, you can choose from a wide range of lifestyles. Whether you’re renting in the city center or purchasing a property on the outer edge, there are a great many options for every personal or family consideration. You’ll also be able to make friends with like-minded people, as there is a small but slowly growing permanent expat community as well as a growing “snowbird” expat community that are in the city to escape the snow during winter months up north.

And if you love dancing, the nightlife experience in Cali is second to none.

Cost Of Living In Cali

Your cost of living in Cali could have a wide range, depending on your individual lifestyle and family size. The good news is that you can live a comfortable life, even on a modest budget. Renting will cost more than owning a home, of course, but this doesn’t factor in the substantial cost of buying a property.

Monthly Budget For A Couple Renting In Cali, Colombia

Budget ItemsCostCost Assumptions
RentCOP 1,500,000Unfurnished, 80–90 square meter two-bedroom apartment (estrato 4–6).
GasCOP 40,000Used for cooking, hot water, and gas dryer.
TransportationCOP 150,000Assume walking and light travel about town.
ElectricityCOP 250,000Widely variable, assume air conditioning (turned off when not home).
WaterCOP 60,000
Cable/Phone/Internet BundleCOP 142,000This bundled price saves about 50% on these services.
Cell PhoneCOP 60,000Two cell phones on postpaid plan.
Household HelpCOP 750,000
GroceriesCOP 950,000
EntertainmentCOP 900,000
TotalCOP 4,802,000

 

Monthly Budget For A Couple Owning In Cali, Colombia

Budget ItemsCostCost Assumptions
RentCOP 0
HOA FeesCOP 480,000
Property Taxes, MonthlyCOP 250,000
GasCOP 40,000Used for cooking, hot water, and gas dryer.
TransportationCOP 150,000Assume walking and light travel about town.
ElectricityCOP 250,000Widely variable, assume air conditioning (turned off when not home).
WaterCOP 60,000
Cable/Phone/Internet BundleCOP 142,000This bundled price saves about 50% on these services.
Cell PhoneCOP 60,000Two cell phones on postpaid plan.
Household HelpCOP 750,000
GroceriesCOP 950,000
EntertainmentCOP 900,000
TotalCOP 4,032,000

Penny Pincher’s Monthly Budget Cali, Colombia

Budget ItemsCostCost Assumptions
RentCOP 1,200,000Unfurnished, 80–90 square meter two-bedroom apartment (estrato 3).
HOA FeesCOP 0
Property Taxes, MonthlyCOP 0
GasCOP 40,000Used for cooking, hot water, and gas dryer.
TransportationCOP 100,000This assumes walking and buses, less taxi use.
ElectricityCOP 100,000No air conditioning; fans only.
WaterCOP 60,000
Internet OnlyCOP 65,000
Cell PhoneCOP 60,000Two cell phones on postpaid plan.
GroceriesCOP 650,000
EntertainmentCOP 600,000
TotalCOP 2,875,000

Click here for currency conversion at today’s exchange rate.

Popular Articles

Colombia Articles

Worried About Soaring Utility Costs?

Worried about soaring utility costs? You're not alone. Over the past year, energy costs across the United States have increased 23.8%. The cost of electricity, specifically, is up 15.8%. That's the greatest 12-month increase in 41 years. Russia's war... continuing post-pandemic economic struggles worldwide, and generally hotter summers and colder winters are to blame. But you don't have to suffer. I'm not talking about lowering your thermostat or investing in more blankets. I'm talking about leaving cold winters... and steaming...

Read more

Get Your Free Colombia Report Today!


Learn more about COLOMBIA and other countries in our free, daily Overseas Opportunity Letter. Simply enter your email address below and we’ll send you our FREE REPORT - Colombia: The World's Next Top Retirement & Investment Haven

Download your FREE report on

The Best Places To Retire In 2023

New Year, New You, New Life Overseas