😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,499 in Fort Myers, FL versus $1,031 in Medellin.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,627 in Fort Myers, FL versus $1,599 in Medellin.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,755 in Fort Myers, FL versus $2,167 in Medellin.
🌍Living in Fort Myers, FL is roughly 240% more expensive than in Medellin, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Fort Myers, FL is 162% above, Medellin is 23% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Fort Myers, FL
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.15$20.15
$6.16COP 20.1K
227.11%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$78.8$78.8
$32.60COP 106.1K
141.78%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.90$10.90
$7.34COP 23.9K
48.50%
Cappuccino
$4.44$4.44
$1.72COP 5,600
158.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.59$2.59
$1.05COP 3,420
146.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09$2.09
$0.77COP 2,515
171.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.97$3.97
$1.69COP 5,488
134.91%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.10$6.10
$3.17COP 10.3K
92.43%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Fort Myers, FL
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.15$1.15
$1.05COP 3,423
9.52%
White Bread(500g)
$3.99$3.99
$1.30COP 4,236
206.92%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.45$3.45
$1.40COP 4,544
146.43%
Eggs
$4.25$4.25
$2.16COP 7,047
96.76%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.21$13.21
$4.39COP 14.3K
200.91%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.52$11.52
$5.88COP 19.1K
95.92%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.75$15.75
$8.64COP 28.1K
82.29%
Apples(1kg)
$5.84$5.84
$2.28COP 7,426
156.14%
Banana(1kg)
$1.62$1.62
$1.11COP 3,604
45.95%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.32$4.32
$1.53COP 4,983
182.35%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.83$4.83
$1.35COP 4,410
257.78%
Potato(1kg)
$3.58$3.58
$1.13COP 3,674
216.81%
Onion(1kg)
$3.75$3.75
$1.13COP 3,692
231.86%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.35$2.35
$0.85COP 2,753
176.47%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.46$2.46
$0.91COP 2,975
170.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.84$7.84
$2.34COP 7,630
235.04%
Wine(Bottle)
$16.76$16.76
$12.37COP 40.3K
35.49%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.14$2.14
$1.20COP 3,909
78.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.31$3.31
$2.49COP 8,104
32.93%
🚌 Getting Around
Fort Myers, FL
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.97$1.97
$0.84COP 2,728
134.52%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$38.07$38.07
$40.57COP 132.1K
-6.16%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.45$2.45
$1.42COP 4,623
72.54%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.58$1.58
$1.92COP 6,235
-17.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$30.09$30.09
$7.66COP 24.9K
292.82%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94$0.94
$0.99COP 3,223
-5.05%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.8K$29.8K
$18.0KCOP 58.7M
65.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.3K$25.3K
$26.6KCOP 86.7M
-4.82%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Fort Myers, FL
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$168$168
$80.8COP 263.1K
107.85%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$63.7$63.7
$9.95COP 32.4K
540.00%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.8$65.8
$24.18COP 78.7K
172.08%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Fort Myers, FL
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$53.1$53.1
$25.08COP 81.7K
111.52%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.10$10.10
$19.15COP 62.3K
-47.26%
Cinema Ticket
$14.77$14.77
$3.98COP 13.0K
271.11%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Fort Myers, FL
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,301$1,301
$305COP 993.5K
326.39%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.9K$13.9K
$6,059COP 19.7M
128.88%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Fort Myers, FL
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.34$41.34
$58.1COP 189.2K
-28.88%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.91$36.91
$32.20COP 104.8K
14.63%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$83.4$83.4
$101COP 327.9K
-17.22%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$87.2$87.2
$108COP 350.8K
-19.04%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Fort Myers, FL
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,927$1,927
$477COP 1.6M
304.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,207$2,207
$376COP 1.2M
486.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,166$3,166
$845COP 2.7M
274.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,794$2,794
$730COP 2.4M
282.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,700$2,700
$3,215COP 10.5M
-16.03%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,676$2,676
$1,372COP 4.5M
95.01%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Fort Myers, FL
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,832$3,832
$617COP 2.0M
521.26%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.48
13.43
-51.75%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Fort Myers, FL: July 13, 2026
Last update for Medellin: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,927 in Fort Myers, FL and $477 in Medellin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Fort Myers, FL pays 521% 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: $79.0 in Fort Myers, FL vs $33.00 in Medellin for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $415 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 Myers, FL vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Fort Myers, FL?
Medellin is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 240% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Fort Myers, FL or Medellin?
Average pay runs 521% higher in Fort Myers, FL, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Fort Myers, FL and Medellin?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,927 in Fort Myers, FL versus $477 in Medellin. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Fort Myers, FL and in Medellin?
Supermarket bills run roughly 115% higher in Fort Myers, FL. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Fort Myers, FL or in Medellin?
Dining out is cheaper in Medellin – a meal for two runs $33.00 versus $79.0 in Fort Myers, FL. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Fort Myers, FL or in Medellin?
At $1,031 in Medellin versus $3,499 in Fort Myers, FL, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Fort Myers, FL. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Fort Myers, FL or Medellin more family-friendly?
For families, Medellin is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Fort Myers, FL, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 240% less than in Fort Myers, FL. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Fort Myers, FL vs other spots: cost of living compared