Cost of Living Comparison Between Garland, TX and Medellin Cost of Living Comparison Between Garland, TX and Medellin

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,835 per month in Garland, TX vs $1,017 in Medellin, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,215 per month in Garland, TX vs $1,602 in Medellin, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,596 per month in Garland, TX vs $2,188 in Medellin, rent included.

Garland, TX costs about 179% more than Medellin, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Garland, TX sits 111% above the global median, while Medellin is 24% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Garland, TX
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.75 $17.75
$5.95 COP 20.8K
198.32%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.8 $75.8
$33.33 COP 116.3K
127.27%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.90 $9.90
$7.23 COP 25.2K
36.93%
Cappuccino
$4.96 $4.96
$1.63 COP 5,687
204.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.56 $2.56
$1.09 COP 3,821
134.86%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.00 $2.00
$0.73 COP 2,548
173.97%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.91 $5.91
$1.74 COP 6,065
239.66%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.86 $7.86
$3.23 COP 11.3K
143.34%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Garland, TX
Medellin
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.95 $0.95
$1.05 COP 3,662
-9.52%
White Bread (500g)
$2.99 $2.99
$1.29 COP 4,515
131.78%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.38 $3.38
$1.32 COP 4,617
156.06%
Eggs
$4.86 $4.86
$2.27 COP 7,927
114.10%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.96 $11.96
$4.35 COP 15.2K
174.94%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.68 $10.68
$5.88 COP 20.5K
81.63%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.45 $14.45
$8.61 COP 30.0K
67.83%
Apples (1kg)
$4.96 $4.96
$2.25 COP 7,844
120.44%
Banana (1kg)
$1.45 $1.45
$1.07 COP 3,733
35.51%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.72 $3.72
$1.52 COP 5,322
144.74%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.97 $3.97
$1.42 COP 4,964
179.58%
Potato (1kg)
$2.76 $2.76
$1.17 COP 4,084
135.90%
Onion (1kg)
$1.88 $1.88
$1.17 COP 4,077
60.68%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.94 $1.94
$0.89 COP 3,096
117.98%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.19 $2.19
$0.90 COP 3,146
143.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.26 $9.26
$2.25 COP 7,837
311.56%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.79 $10.79
$11.04 COP 38.5K
-2.26%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.38 $2.38
$1.14 COP 3,977
108.77%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.46 $3.46
$2.38 COP 8,301
45.38%
🚌 Getting Around
Garland, TX
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.06 $3.06
$0.84 COP 2,916
264.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$95.2 $95.2
$41.95 COP 146.4K
126.96%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.98 $2.98
$1.41 COP 4,912
111.35%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.23 $1.23
$1.90 COP 6,634
-35.26%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$35.23 $35.23
$7.75 COP 27.0K
354.58%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.80 $0.80
$1.01 COP 3,509
-20.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.9K $25.9K
$17.6K COP 61.4M
47.18%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4K $26.4K
$26.5K COP 92.5M
-0.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Garland, TX
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$175 $175
$83.7 COP 292.1K
108.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$48.29 $48.29
$9.45 COP 33.0K
411.01%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$66.2 $66.2
$24.11 COP 84.1K
174.49%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Garland, TX
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$30.84 $30.84
$25.31 COP 88.3K
21.85%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.21 $16.21
$19.14 COP 66.8K
-15.31%
Cinema Ticket
$15.19 $15.19
$4.10 COP 14.3K
270.49%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Garland, TX
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,359 $1,359
$312 COP 1.1M
335.81%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.5K $22.5K
$5,993 COP 20.9M
275.40%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Garland, TX
Medellin
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.1 $53.1
$58.0 COP 202.6K
-8.44%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.45 $29.45
$32.56 COP 113.6K
-9.55%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$87.4 $87.4
$99.6 COP 347.7K
-12.23%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$116 $116
$109 COP 378.8K
6.65%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Garland, TX
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,999 $1,999
$482 COP 1.7M
314.38%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,564 $1,564
$379 COP 1.3M
312.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,572 $3,572
$837 COP 2.9M
326.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,711 $2,711
$723 COP 2.5M
274.95%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,221 $3,221
$2,840 COP 9.9M
13.43%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,948 $1,948
$1,223 COP 4.3M
59.23%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Garland, TX
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,775 $3,775
$541 COP 1.9M
597.92%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.49
13.43
-51.68%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Garland, TX: June 8, 2026

Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,999 in Garland, TX 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.

Salaries run about 598% higher in Garland, TX, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $76.0 in Garland, TX versus $33.00 in Medellin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $360 vs $190 – making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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
Garland, TX vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Garland, TX and Medellin compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,835 in Garland, TX, $1,017 in Medellin – roughly 179% apart. Garland, TX costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Garland, TX compared to Medellin?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,253 per month in Garland, TX 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 Garland, TX and Medellin?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Medellin, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Garland, TX and Medellin?
Kindergarten costs $1,359 per month in Garland, TX and $312 in Medellin. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 90% more in Garland, TX, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,017, than in Garland, TX at $2,835. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Garland, TX it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Garland, TX and Medellin?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,017 in Medellin to $2,835 in Garland, TX. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Garland, TX and Medellin?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Garland, TX makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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