😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,467 in Fort Collins, CO versus $1,031 in Medellin.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,757 in Fort Collins, CO versus $1,599 in Medellin.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,048 in Fort Collins, CO versus $2,167 in Medellin.
🌍Living in Fort Collins, CO is roughly 139% more expensive than in Medellin, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Fort Collins, CO is 85% above, Medellin is 23% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Fort Collins, CO
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.33$18.33
$6.16COP 20.1K
197.56%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$72.2$72.2
$32.60COP 106.1K
121.60%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.33$11.33
$7.34COP 23.9K
54.36%
Cappuccino
$4.69$4.69
$1.72COP 5,599
172.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99$1.99
$1.05COP 3,420
89.52%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48$2.48
$0.77COP 2,515
222.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.93$6.93
$1.69COP 5,487
310.06%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.54$6.54
$3.17COP 10.3K
106.31%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Fort Collins, CO
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05$1.05
$1.05COP 3,423
-
White Bread(500g)
$3.14$3.14
$1.30COP 4,236
141.54%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.32$3.32
$1.40COP 4,544
137.14%
Eggs
$4.24$4.24
$2.16COP 7,046
96.30%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.94$10.94
$4.39COP 14.3K
149.20%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.66$8.66
$5.88COP 19.1K
47.28%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.79$16.79
$8.64COP 28.1K
94.33%
Apples(1kg)
$3.99$3.99
$2.28COP 7,425
75.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.57$1.57
$1.11COP 3,603
41.44%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.37$4.37
$1.53COP 4,982
185.62%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.05$5.05
$1.35COP 4,410
274.07%
Potato(1kg)
$2.37$2.37
$1.13COP 3,674
109.73%
Onion(1kg)
$1.96$1.96
$1.13COP 3,692
73.45%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.48$2.48
$0.85COP 2,753
191.76%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.05$2.05
$0.91COP 2,975
125.27%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.47$9.47
$2.34COP 7,629
304.70%
Wine(Bottle)
$19.08$19.08
$12.37COP 40.3K
54.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.20$2.20
$1.20COP 3,909
83.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.68$2.68
$2.49COP 8,104
7.63%
🚌 Getting Around
Fort Collins, CO
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.02$2.02
$0.84COP 2,727
140.48%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$40.57COP 132.1K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.57$2.57
$1.42COP 4,623
80.99%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.42$1.42
$1.92COP 6,235
-26.04%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$24.62$24.62
$7.66COP 24.9K
221.41%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.82$0.82
$0.99COP 3,223
-17.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.0K$28.0K
$18.0KCOP 58.7M
55.10%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K$26.1K
$26.6KCOP 86.7M
-2.14%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Fort Collins, CO
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$168$168
$80.8COP 263.1K
107.94%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$42.77$42.77
$9.95COP 32.4K
329.85%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$77.0$77.0
$24.18COP 78.7K
218.57%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Fort Collins, CO
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.1$61.1
$25.08COP 81.6K
143.50%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.98$14.98
$19.15COP 62.3K
-21.78%
Cinema Ticket
$11.77$11.77
$3.98COP 13.0K
195.73%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Fort Collins, CO
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,547$1,547
$305COP 993.4K
407.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.5K$12.5K
$6,059COP 19.7M
105.74%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Fort Collins, CO
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$67.1$67.1
$58.1COP 189.2K
15.50%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$92.2$92.2
$32.20COP 104.8K
186.24%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$80.6$80.6
$101COP 327.9K
-20.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108$108
$108COP 350.8K
0.65%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Fort Collins, CO
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,807$1,807
$477COP 1.6M
279.18%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,231$1,231
$376COP 1.2M
227.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,816$2,816
$845COP 2.7M
233.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,304$2,304
$730COP 2.4M
215.47%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,923$2,923
$3,215COP 10.5M
-9.10%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,990$2,990
$1,372COP 4.5M
117.88%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Fort Collins, CO
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,326$4,326
$617COP 2.0M
601.34%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.59
13.43
-50.93%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Fort Collins, CO: July 12, 2026
Last update for Medellin: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,807 in Fort Collins, CO and $477 in Medellin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Fort Collins, CO pays 601% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $72.0 in Fort Collins, CO vs $33.00 in Medellin for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $371 vs $193 per month, with Medellin cheaper across the board.
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
Fort Collins, CO vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Fort Collins, CO or Medellin?
Medellin wins on cost – living expenses run 139% lower than in Fort Collins, CO. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Medellin the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Fort Collins, CO or in Medellin?
Average pay runs 601% higher in Fort Collins, CO, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Fort Collins, CO compared to Medellin?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,807 in Fort Collins, CO versus $477 in Medellin. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Fort Collins, CO or in Medellin?
Supermarket bills run roughly 92% higher in Fort Collins, CO. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Fort Collins, CO compared to Medellin?
All in, you'll spend $2,467 per month in Fort Collins, CO versus $1,031 in Medellin – a 139% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Fort Collins, CO or in Medellin?
At $1,031 in Medellin versus $2,467 in Fort Collins, CO, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Fort Collins, CO. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Fort Collins, CO or Medellin?
Both work as nomad bases, but Medellin delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,031 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Medellin hard to pass up.
How safe is Fort Collins, CO compared to Medellin?
Safety-wise, Fort Collins, CO 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 139% less than in Fort Collins, CO. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Fort Collins, CO vs other spots: cost of living compared