🙂A single person spends $730 per month in Chenzhou vs $1,017 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,161 per month in Chenzhou vs $1,602 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,591 per month in Chenzhou vs $2,188 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂Chenzhou is about 28% cheaper than Medellin, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Chenzhou and Medellin are more affordable than the global median – Chenzhou46% lower, Medellin24% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chenzhou
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.75¥18.58
$5.95COP 20.6K
-53.78%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.50¥139
$33.33COP 115.1K
-38.49%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.82¥32.59
$7.23COP 25.0K
-33.33%
Cappuccino
$1.36¥9.16
$1.63COP 5,629
-16.56%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43¥2.89
$1.09COP 3,782
-60.55%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25¥1.67
$0.73COP 2,522
-65.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.13¥7.66
$1.74COP 6,003
-35.06%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.85¥12.48
$3.23COP 11.2K
-42.72%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chenzhou
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.99¥13.45
$1.05COP 3,625
89.52%
White Bread(500g)
$2.36¥15.96
$1.29COP 4,469
82.95%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.72¥4.84
$1.32COP 4,570
-45.45%
Eggs
$1.60¥10.81
$2.27COP 7,846
-29.52%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.95¥108
$4.35COP 15.0K
266.67%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.20¥21.63
$5.88COP 20.3K
-45.58%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.20¥62.2
$8.61COP 29.7K
6.85%
Apples(1kg)
$0.53¥3.61
$2.25COP 7,763
-76.44%
Banana(1kg)
$1.09¥7.37
$1.07COP 3,695
1.87%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.72¥4.89
$1.52COP 5,267
-52.63%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.09¥7.40
$1.42COP 4,914
-23.24%
Potato(1kg)
$0.89¥6.04
$1.17COP 4,042
-23.93%
Onion(1kg)
$1.43¥9.67
$1.17COP 4,035
22.22%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.47¥3.19
$0.89COP 3,064
-47.19%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.43¥2.90
$0.90COP 3,114
-52.22%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.76¥18.65
$2.25COP 7,757
22.67%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.63¥85.4
$11.04COP 38.1K
14.40%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.91¥6.13
$1.14COP 3,936
-20.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.42¥9.61
$2.38COP 8,216
-40.34%
🚌 Getting Around
Chenzhou
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.29¥1.96
$0.84COP 2,886
-65.48%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$16.61¥112
$41.95COP 144.9K
-60.41%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.28¥8.63
$1.41COP 4,861
-9.22%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.26¥1.74
$1.90COP 6,567
-86.32%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.27¥55.9
$7.75COP 26.8K
6.71%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.17¥7.92
$1.01COP 3,473
15.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.4K¥137.9K
$17.6KCOP 60.7M
16.03%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.9K¥147.8K
$26.5KCOP 91.5M
-17.51%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chenzhou
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$43.09¥291
$83.7COP 289.1K
-48.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.56¥84.9
$9.45COP 32.6K
32.91%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.54¥98.3
$24.11COP 83.3K
-39.69%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chenzhou
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.27¥279
$25.31COP 87.4K
63.06%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.81¥93.4
$19.14COP 66.1K
-27.85%
Cinema Ticket
$5.82¥39.36
$4.10COP 14.2K
41.95%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chenzhou
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$315¥2,131
$312COP 1.1M
1.03%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,366¥49.8K
$5,993COP 20.7M
22.91%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chenzhou
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$85.3¥577
$58.0COP 200.5K
47.02%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.38¥205
$32.56COP 112.5K
-6.70%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$81.3¥550
$99.6COP 344.1K
-18.37%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.3¥469
$109COP 375.0K
-36.14%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chenzhou
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$283¥1,912
$482COP 1.7M
-41.37%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$190¥1,282
$379COP 1.3M
-50.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$599¥4,051
$837COP 2.9M
-28.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$367¥2,485
$723COP 2.5M
-49.18%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,116¥21.1K
$2,840COP 9.8M
9.74%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,844¥12.5K
$1,223COP 4.2M
50.80%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chenzhou
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$541COP 1.9M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.89
13.43
-71.03%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chenzhou: June 6, 2026
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $283 in Chenzhou versus $482 in Medellin. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $20.00 in Chenzhou versus $33.00 in Medellin. Groceries tell a different story – $207 in Chenzhou vs $190 in Medellin – so Medellin wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Chenzhou vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Chenzhou and Medellin compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $730 in Chenzhou, $1,017 in Medellin – roughly 39% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Chenzhou compared to Medellin?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,095 per month in Chenzhou and $1,525 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Chenzhou and Medellin?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chenzhou, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do commuting costs compare in Chenzhou and Medellin?
Public transport costs about 153% less in Chenzhou. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Chenzhou and Medellin?
Kindergarten costs $315 per month in Chenzhou and $312 in Medellin. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Chenzhou, where all-in costs run around $730, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Chenzhou it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Chenzhou and Medellin?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $730 in Chenzhou to $1,017 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Chenzhou and Medellin?
If budget matters most, go with Chenzhou. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Medellin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.