If you're looking for an apartment in Medellín, the first question is always the same: how much does rent cost in each area? This guide gives real 2026 ranges for the four areas we're asked about most — El Poblado, Laureles, Envigado and Sabaneta — for both traditional unfurnished leases and furnished monthly rentals, with an approximate conversion to US dollars.
Dollar figures use roughly COP 3,200 per US dollar, where the peso stood in October 2026. The peso has strengthened sharply this year, so check the day's rate: rent is always agreed and paid in Colombian pesos, and your cost in dollars moves with the exchange rate.
The short answer
- Unfurnished, 12-month lease: from about COP 1.5 million (≈ USD 470) a month for a small apartment in Sabaneta to COP 8 million or more (≈ USD 2,500+) for a large apartment in El Poblado.
- Furnished, from 30 days: from about COP 3 million (≈ USD 940) a month in Envigado or Sabaneta, COP 3.5 million (≈ USD 1,100) in Laureles and COP 4.5 million (≈ USD 1,400) in El Poblado.
- Building fee: on unfurnished leases, add the monthly administración, between COP 250,000 and over COP 1,000,000 depending on the building.
Unfurnished rent prices (12-month leases)
| Area | 1–2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms | Typical tenant |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Poblado | COP 2.5M – 4.5M ≈ USD 780 – 1,400 | COP 4M – 8M+ ≈ USD 1,250 – 2,500+ | Executives, high-end |
| Laureles | COP 1.8M – 3.2M ≈ USD 560 – 1,000 | COP 2.8M – 4.5M ≈ USD 875 – 1,400 | Families, professionals |
| Envigado | COP 1.8M – 3.5M ≈ USD 560 – 1,100 | COP 2.5M – 5M ≈ USD 780 – 1,560 | Families |
| Sabaneta | COP 1.5M – 2.5M ≈ USD 470 – 780 | COP 1.8M – 3.5M ≈ USD 560 – 1,100 | Young couples, families |
Monthly figures, not including the building fee. These are guide ranges: the real rent depends on the estrato (the socio-economic band every Colombian property is assigned, from 1 to 6), the age of the building, its amenities, the floor and the condition of the apartment.
Furnished rental prices (from 30 days)
A furnished rental includes the furniture, WiFi and utilities, which is why it costs more than an unfurnished lease:
- El Poblado: from COP 4.5 million (≈ USD 1,400) a month for one-bedroom units; premium units in Provenza or Las Palmas go above COP 8 million (≈ USD 2,500).
- Laureles: from COP 3.5 million (≈ USD 1,100) a month — typically 15–25% less than El Poblado.
- Envigado and Sabaneta: from COP 3 million (≈ USD 940) a month in modern buildings with amenities.
What's included — and what isn't
This is where most newcomers get confused when they compare listings:
- Unfurnished lease: the rent covers the apartment only. Utilities (water, electricity, gas), internet and usually the building fee are paid on top. Utility rates also depend on the estrato: the higher the estrato, the more you pay per unit consumed.
- Furnished monthly rental: the price normally bundles furniture, kitchenware, WiFi, utilities and the building fee. Always confirm in writing which services are included and whether there's a cap on electricity or water use.
What pushes the price up (or down)
- Building amenities: a pool, gym and coworking space can add 10–20% to the rent.
- View and high floor: in El Poblado and Las Palmas, a panoramic view comes at a price.
- Distance to the metro: in Laureles, Envigado and Sabaneta, being under ten minutes' walk from a station raises demand.
- Length of the contract: in furnished rentals, committing to three to six months or more gets noticeably better monthly rates.
- Season: December–January and the Flower Festival in August push furnished rates up — book ahead if you're arriving then.
Which area fits your budget?
Sabaneta is the most affordable of the four and well connected by metro, ideal if price matters most. Laureles gives you a flat, walkable, very local neighbourhood for noticeably less than El Poblado. Envigado is the quiet, family choice with the best climate in the valley. El Poblado is the most expensive and the most international, with the largest offer of furnished apartments. If you're torn between the two most popular, read our comparison El Poblado vs Laureles for expats, or browse the best neighbourhoods for foreigners.
Furnished or unfurnished? It depends on your plan
If you're coming for less than a year, don't want to buy furniture or are a foreigner without a Colombian co-signer, a furnished rental is your option: no guarantor and everything included. If you're going to settle, a traditional lease gives you a lower monthly rent and complete freedom to make the apartment your home — but it requires a rental study and a guarantee, which we explain in how to rent an apartment in Medellín as a foreigner.
A note on deposits
For traditional urban housing leases, Colombian law (Ley 820 of 2003, article 16) does not allow the landlord to demand a cash deposit: the guarantee comes from a co-signer or a rental insurance policy instead. Furnished monthly rentals are often contracted on different terms, so always ask about any deposit, and get the answer in writing, before you sign.
Want to know exactly what the apartment you have in mind would cost? Message us on WhatsApp and we'll send you real options from our portfolio with current prices: furnished apartments in El Poblado, Laureles or Envigado.