🙂A single person spends $728 per month in Chenzhou vs $1,014 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,144 per month in Chenzhou vs $1,596 in Medellin, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,560 per month in Chenzhou vs $2,178 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, Medellin25% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chenzhou
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.87¥19.58
$6.14COP 22.1K
-53.26%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.27¥145
$33.05COP 119.0K
-35.64%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.98¥34.03
$7.32COP 26.4K
-31.97%
Cappuccino
$1.43¥9.75
$1.66COP 5,973
-13.86%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46¥3.13
$1.10COP 3,978
-58.18%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27¥1.85
$0.78COP 2,816
-65.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.09¥7.42
$1.71COP 6,174
-36.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.85¥12.67
$3.17COP 11.4K
-41.64%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chenzhou
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.99¥13.61
$1.11COP 4,003
79.28%
White Bread(500g)
$2.23¥15.25
$1.31COP 4,709
70.23%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.73¥4.98
$1.38COP 4,969
-47.10%
Eggs
$1.67¥11.37
$2.22COP 7,992
-24.77%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.71¥107
$4.34COP 15.6K
261.98%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.10¥21.14
$5.80COP 20.9K
-46.55%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.78¥60.0
$8.98COP 32.3K
-2.23%
Apples(1kg)
$0.54¥3.71
$2.26COP 8,146
-76.11%
Banana(1kg)
$1.09¥7.44
$1.11COP 4,014
-1.80%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.69¥4.71
$1.46COP 5,273
-52.74%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.13¥7.72
$1.37COP 4,918
-17.52%
Potato(1kg)
$0.95¥6.51
$1.11COP 4,000
-14.41%
Onion(1kg)
$1.41¥9.66
$1.16COP 4,190
21.55%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.47¥3.24
$0.89COP 3,204
-47.19%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.39¥2.67
$0.87COP 3,117
-55.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.78¥18.97
$2.35COP 8,476
18.30%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.51¥85.5
$10.86COP 39.1K
15.19%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.94¥6.45
$1.20COP 4,321
-21.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.41¥9.64
$2.48COP 8,927
-43.15%
🚌 Getting Around
Chenzhou
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.29¥2.00
$0.79COP 2,836
-63.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$16.74¥114
$40.77COP 146.8K
-58.94%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.27¥8.69
$1.42COP 5,125
-10.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.26¥1.75
$1.91COP 6,885
-86.39%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.54¥58.3
$7.65COP 27.6K
11.63%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.12¥7.62
$0.97COP 3,482
15.46%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.7K¥141.2K
$18.1KCOP 65.2M
14.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.5K¥147.1K
$26.3KCOP 94.8M
-18.15%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chenzhou
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$42.88¥293
$81.3COP 292.9K
-47.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.53¥85.6
$9.63COP 34.7K
30.11%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.53¥99.2
$24.36COP 87.8K
-40.35%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chenzhou
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.09¥281
$26.02COP 93.7K
57.92%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.76¥94.0
$18.92COP 68.1K
-27.27%
Cinema Ticket
$5.90¥40.28
$3.89COP 14.0K
51.67%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chenzhou
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$316¥2,161
$304COP 1.1M
4.03%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,346¥50.2K
$5,902COP 21.3M
24.47%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chenzhou
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$84.7¥578
$58.7COP 211.4K
44.27%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.01¥212
$32.48COP 117.0K
-4.53%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$83.1¥567
$102COP 366.5K
-18.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$68.9¥471
$108COP 389.6K
-36.30%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chenzhou
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$276¥1,883
$474COP 1.7M
-41.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$191¥1,303
$371COP 1.3M
-48.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$589¥4,022
$848COP 3.1M
-30.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$356¥2,434
$716COP 2.6M
-50.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,867¥19.6K
$2,871COP 10.3M
-0.16%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,040¥13.9K
$1,375COP 5.0M
48.31%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chenzhou
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$542COP 2.0M
-
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: April 14, 2026
Last update for Medellin: April 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $276 in Chenzhou versus $474 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 $21 in Chenzhou versus $33 in Medellin. Groceries tell a different story – $203 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: $728 in Chenzhou, $1,014 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 $1,092 per month in Chenzhou and $1,522 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 144% 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 $316 per month in Chenzhou and $304 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 $728, than in Medellin at $1,014. 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 $728 in Chenzhou to $1,014 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.