😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,767 in Hastings versus $1,681 in Medellin.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,662 in Hastings versus $2,445 in Medellin.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,558 in Hastings versus $3,210 in Medellin.
🌍Living in Hastings is roughly 65% more expensive than in Medellin, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Hastings102% above, Medellin23% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hastings
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$24.96£18.65
$8.02COP 25.0K
211.22%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$81.8£61.2
$47.87COP 149.4K
70.96%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.98£8.96
$9.89COP 30.8K
21.13%
Cappuccino
$4.64£3.47
$3.13COP 9,767
48.24%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23£2.42
$1.91COP 5,954
69.11%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.31£0.98
$1.51COP 4,712
-13.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.80£5.08
$3.12COP 9,747
117.95%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.97£5.21
$5.75COP 17.9K
21.22%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hastings
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.74£0.55
$1.44COP 4,509
-48.61%
White Bread(500g)
$1.67£1.25
$2.49COP 7,759
-32.93%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.64£1.98
$1.77COP 5,535
49.15%
Eggs
$3.20£2.39
$2.96COP 9,235
8.11%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.00£7.47
$10.07COP 31.4K
-0.70%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.76£7.29
$10.12COP 31.6K
-3.56%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.42£10.03
$14.30COP 44.6K
-6.15%
Apples(1kg)
$2.89£2.16
$4.14COP 12.9K
-30.19%
Banana(1kg)
$1.81£1.35
$1.61COP 5,019
12.42%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.86£2.14
$2.25COP 7,007
27.11%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.52£2.63
$2.25COP 7,028
56.44%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79£1.34
$2.04COP 6,375
-12.25%
Onion(1kg)
$1.59£1.19
$1.54COP 4,790
3.25%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.24£0.92
$1.17COP 3,651
5.98%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.82£1.36
$1.31COP 4,077
38.93%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$17.87£13.36
$3.90COP 12.2K
358.21%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.72£5.02
$14.01COP 43.7K
-52.03%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.05£2.28
$1.74COP 5,439
75.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44£2.57
$2.87COP 8,956
19.86%
🚌 Getting Around
Hastings
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.44£2.57
$1.22COP 3,792
181.97%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$97.9£73.2
$80.5COP 251.1K
21.68%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.46£3.33
$1.31COP 4,084
240.46%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.10£0.82
$2.19COP 6,825
-49.77%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$32.60£24.37
$8.71COP 27.2K
274.28%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.03£1.52
$1.37COP 4,260
48.18%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.8K£29.7K
$27.8KCOP 86.9M
42.86%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.0K£31.4K
$35.8KCOP 111.6M
17.35%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hastings
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$337£252
$177COP 553.2K
90.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.91£14.88
$13.88COP 43.3K
43.44%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$54.5£40.70
$29.72COP 92.8K
83.28%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hastings
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$46.63£34.85
$44.88COP 140.1K
3.90%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$17.12COP 53.4K
-
Cinema Ticket
$16.35£12.22
$6.65COP 20.7K
145.86%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hastings
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,611£1,204
$813COP 2.5M
98.21%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$18.5K£13.8K
$9,187COP 28.7M
101.18%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hastings
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105£78.3
$89.5COP 279.3K
17.00%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$51.8£38.68
$59.0COP 184.0K
-12.23%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$105£78.3
$138COP 431.2K
-24.23%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$134£99.8
$102COP 318.7K
30.80%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hastings
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,461£1,092
$1,062COP 3.3M
37.58%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,279£956
$663COP 2.1M
92.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,084£1,558
$1,888COP 5.9M
10.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,540£1,151
$1,027COP 3.2M
49.94%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,116£3,823
$4,183COP 13.1M
22.31%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,590£2,683
$1,675COP 5.2M
114.39%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hastings
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,436£2,568
$678COP 2.1M
407.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.96
10.94
-54.66%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hastings: September 14, 2026
Last update for Medellin: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,461 in Hastings and $1,062 in Medellin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Hastings pays 407% 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: $82.0 in Hastings vs $48.00 in Medellin. Groceries flip the comparison at $292 vs $305, with Hastings 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
Hastings vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Hastings and in Medellin?
Hastings and Medellin differ by about 65% in total monthly costs ($2,767 vs $1,681 including rent). Medellin is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Hastings or Medellin?
Average pay runs 407% higher in Hastings, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Hastings and in Medellin?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,461 in Hastings versus $1,062 in Medellin. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Hastings or Medellin?
All in, you'll spend $2,767 per month in Hastings versus $1,681 in Medellin – a 65% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Hastings and in Medellin?
A monthly transit pass in Medellin runs roughly 22% less than in Hastings. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,500 per month?
At $1,681 in Medellin versus $2,767 in Hastings, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Hastings. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Hastings and Medellin?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Hastings or Medellin?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 65% less than in Hastings. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.