😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,025 in Mankato, MN versus $1,003 in Medellin.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,068 in Mankato, MN versus $1,573 in Medellin.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,112 in Mankato, MN versus $2,143 in Medellin.
🌍Living in Mankato, MN is roughly 102% more expensive than in Medellin, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mankato, MN is 52% above, Medellin is 25% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mankato, MN
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.28$16.28
$5.91COP 18.9K
175.47%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.4$69.4
$32.96COP 105.2K
110.41%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.90$9.90
$7.43COP 23.7K
33.24%
Cappuccino
$4.96$4.96
$1.65COP 5,276
200.61%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05$2.05
$1.10COP 3,514
86.36%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.69$1.69
$0.78COP 2,491
116.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.90$4.90
$1.72COP 5,484
184.88%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.11$6.11
$3.18COP 10.1K
92.14%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mankato, MN
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.91$0.91
$1.10COP 3,521
-17.27%
White Bread(500g)
$2.56$2.56
$1.26COP 4,015
103.17%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.17$2.17
$1.38COP 4,407
57.25%
Eggs
$3.44$3.44
$2.18COP 6,950
57.80%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.48$8.48
$4.49COP 14.3K
88.86%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$14.90$14.90
$5.79COP 18.5K
157.34%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.87$16.87
$8.97COP 28.6K
88.07%
Apples(1kg)
$4.33$4.33
$2.32COP 7,405
86.64%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64$1.64
$1.06COP 3,397
54.72%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.71$3.71
$1.52COP 4,838
144.08%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.42$3.42
$1.36COP 4,327
151.47%
Potato(1kg)
$4.31$4.31
$1.13COP 3,599
281.42%
Onion(1kg)
$3.09$3.09
$1.17COP 3,738
164.10%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.28$2.28
$0.90COP 2,876
153.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.05$2.05
$0.90COP 2,861
127.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$12.25$12.25
$2.23COP 7,128
449.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.73$14.73
$12.12COP 38.7K
21.53%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.69$1.69
$1.19COP 3,793
42.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.22$4.22
$2.48COP 7,920
70.16%
🚌 Getting Around
Mankato, MN
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.02$2.02
$0.85COP 2,723
137.65%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$41.62COP 132.8K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.99$1.99
$1.42COP 4,518
40.14%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.36$1.36
$1.95COP 6,223
-30.26%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$20.06$20.06
$7.89COP 25.2K
154.25%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.78$0.78
$0.99COP 3,160
-21.21%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.2K$26.2K
$17.6KCOP 56.2M
48.87%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.1K$24.1K
$26.8KCOP 85.5M
-10.11%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mankato, MN
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$128$128
$83.0COP 264.9K
54.64%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$50.9$50.9
$9.70COP 30.9K
424.74%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$76.1$76.1
$23.52COP 75.0K
223.60%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mankato, MN
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.79$39.79
$25.26COP 80.6K
57.52%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$19.10COP 60.9K
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.89$14.89
$3.95COP 12.6K
276.96%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mankato, MN
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,377$1,377
$316COP 1.0M
336.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.8K$11.8K
$5,975COP 19.1M
97.44%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mankato, MN
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.1$64.1
$60.0COP 191.4K
6.78%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.32$35.32
$31.82COP 101.5K
11.00%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$72.5$72.5
$102COP 324.4K
-28.74%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$143$143
$107COP 342.8K
33.43%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mankato, MN
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$982$982
$475COP 1.5M
106.82%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$905$905
$374COP 1.2M
141.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,617$2,617
$849COP 2.7M
208.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,493$1,493
$719COP 2.3M
107.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,611$1,611
$3,265COP 10.4M
-50.66%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,614$1,614
$1,441COP 4.6M
12.04%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mankato, MN
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,355$4,355
$624COP 2.0M
597.48%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.61
13.43
-50.78%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mankato, MN: July 26, 2026
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $982 in Mankato, MN and $475 in Medellin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Mankato, MN pays 597% 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: $69.0 in Mankato, MN vs $33.00 in Medellin for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $370 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
Mankato, MN vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mankato, MN and in Medellin?
Mankato, MN and Medellin differ by about 102% in total monthly costs ($2,025 vs $1,003 including rent). Medellin is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Mankato, MN or Medellin?
Average pay runs 597% higher in Mankato, MN, 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 Mankato, MN and in Medellin?
Rent for a central apartment: $982 in Mankato, MN versus $475 in Medellin. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 92% higher in Mankato, MN. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Mankato, MN or Medellin?
All in, you'll spend $2,025 per month in Mankato, MN versus $1,003 in Medellin – a 102% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,003 in Medellin versus $2,025 in Mankato, MN, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Mankato, MN. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mankato, MN 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.
Is Mankato, MN or Medellin safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Mankato, MN 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.
Where should expats move: Mankato, MN or Medellin?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 102% less than in Mankato, MN. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Mankato, MN vs other spots: cost of living compared