😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,046 in Cuautitlan Izcalli versus $1,003 in Medellin.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,628 in Cuautitlan Izcalli versus $1,573 in Medellin.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,211 in Cuautitlan Izcalli versus $2,143 in Medellin.
🌍Living in Cuautitlan Izcalli is roughly 4% more expensive than in Medellin, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Cuautitlan Izcalli21% lower, Medellin25% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cuautitlan Izcalli
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.74MX$186
$5.91COP 18.6K
81.73%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.74MX$445
$32.96COP 103.8K
-21.91%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.80MX$135
$7.43COP 23.4K
4.98%
Cappuccino
$3.20MX$55.3
$1.65COP 5,207
93.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.60MX$27.76
$1.10COP 3,468
45.45%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.15MX$19.91
$0.78COP 2,458
47.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.35MX$40.74
$1.72COP 5,412
36.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.82MX$83.4
$3.18COP 10.0K
51.57%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cuautitlan Izcalli
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.56MX$26.91
$1.10COP 3,474
41.82%
White Bread(500g)
$2.68MX$46.44
$1.26COP 3,962
112.70%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.34MX$23.16
$1.38COP 4,349
-2.90%
Eggs
$2.56MX$44.22
$2.18COP 6,858
17.43%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$2.61MX$45.07
$4.49COP 14.1K
-41.87%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.10MX$88.2
$5.79COP 18.2K
-11.92%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.80MX$118
$8.97COP 28.2K
-24.19%
Apples(1kg)
$2.36MX$40.78
$2.32COP 7,308
1.72%
Banana(1kg)
$1.54MX$26.68
$1.06COP 3,352
45.28%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.28MX$22.20
$1.52COP 4,774
-15.79%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.96MX$33.92
$1.36COP 4,270
44.12%
Potato(1kg)
$2.16MX$37.33
$1.13COP 3,552
91.15%
Onion(1kg)
$2.22MX$38.41
$1.17COP 3,689
89.74%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.44MX$24.93
$0.90COP 2,838
60.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.04MX$17.96
$0.90COP 2,823
15.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.23MX$73.2
$2.23COP 7,034
89.69%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.25MX$177
$12.12COP 38.2K
-15.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.52MX$26.28
$1.19COP 3,743
27.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.55MX$61.5
$2.48COP 7,815
43.15%
🚌 Getting Around
Cuautitlan Izcalli
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.77MX$13.24
$0.85COP 2,687
-9.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$41.62COP 131.0K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.75MX$13.01
$1.42COP 4,459
-47.18%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.30MX$5.26
$1.95COP 6,141
-84.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.26MX$91.0
$7.89COP 24.8K
-33.33%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.23MX$21.26
$0.99COP 3,118
24.24%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.3KMX$333.8K
$17.6KCOP 55.4M
9.62%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.0KMX$398.2K
$26.8KCOP 84.4M
-14.11%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cuautitlan Izcalli
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.56MX$702
$83.0COP 261.4K
-51.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.00MX$467
$9.70COP 30.5K
178.35%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.48MX$320
$23.52COP 74.1K
-21.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cuautitlan Izcalli
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$35.39MX$612
$25.26COP 79.5K
40.10%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.56MX$269
$19.10COP 60.1K
-18.53%
Cinema Ticket
$4.12MX$71.2
$3.95COP 12.4K
4.30%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cuautitlan Izcalli
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$440MX$7,621
$316COP 994.2K
39.49%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,627MX$62.8K
$5,975COP 18.8M
-39.29%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cuautitlan Izcalli
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.0MX$916
$60.0COP 188.9K
-11.72%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.27MX$454
$31.82COP 100.2K
-17.44%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101MX$1,754
$102COP 320.1K
-0.28%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$52.3MX$905
$107COP 338.3K
-51.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cuautitlan Izcalli
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$508MX$8,790
$475COP 1.5M
6.97%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$396MX$6,843
$374COP 1.2M
5.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$933MX$16.1K
$849COP 2.7M
9.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$754MX$13.1K
$719COP 2.3M
4.84%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,899MX$32.9K
$3,265COP 10.3M
-41.83%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,065MX$18.4K
$1,441COP 4.5M
-26.08%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cuautitlan Izcalli
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$624COP 2.0M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.34
13.43
-15.56%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Cuautitlan Izcalli: July 26, 2026
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $508 in Cuautitlan Izcalli and $475 in Medellin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $26.00 in Cuautitlan Izcalli vs $33.00 in Medellin. Groceries flip the comparison at $212 vs $193, with Medellin cheaper for home cooking.
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
Cuautitlan Izcalli vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Cuautitlan Izcalli?
Medellin is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 4% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,568 in Cuautitlan Izcalli and $1,504 in Medellin to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Cuautitlan Izcalli and Medellin?
Rent for a central apartment: $508 in Cuautitlan Izcalli versus $475 in Medellin. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $440 in Cuautitlan Izcalli versus $316 in Medellin. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is eating out cheaper in Cuautitlan Izcalli or in Medellin?
Dining out is cheaper in Medellin – a meal for two runs $33.00 versus $26.00 in Cuautitlan Izcalli. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Cuautitlan Izcalli or in Medellin?
At $1,003 in Medellin versus $1,046 in Cuautitlan Izcalli, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Cuautitlan Izcalli. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Cuautitlan Izcalli or Medellin more family-friendly?
For families, Medellin is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Cuautitlan Izcalli, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Cuautitlan Izcalli or Medellin?
Safety-wise, Cuautitlan Izcalli and Medellin are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 4% less than in Cuautitlan Izcalli. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Cuautitlan Izcalli vs other spots: cost of living compared