😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,107 in Mankato, MN versus $1,641 in Medellin.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,127 in Mankato, MN versus $2,447 in Medellin.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,147 in Mankato, MN versus $3,253 in Medellin.
🌍Living in Mankato, MN is roughly 28% more expensive than in Medellin, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Mankato, MN53% above, Medellin19% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mankato, MN
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.37$20.37
$8.04COP 24.8K
153.36%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$71.2$71.2
$48.29COP 148.6K
47.46%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.87$9.87
$9.42COP 29.0K
4.78%
Cappuccino
$4.89$4.89
$2.94COP 9,040
66.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.04$2.04
$1.86COP 5,735
9.68%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.71$1.71
$1.46COP 4,479
17.12%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.08$5.08
$3.21COP 9,882
58.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.81$5.81
$5.71COP 17.6K
1.75%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mankato, MN
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.91$0.91
$1.44COP 4,428
-36.81%
White Bread(500g)
$2.90$2.90
$2.40COP 7,389
20.83%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.32$3.32
$1.70COP 5,228
95.29%
Eggs
$3.37$3.37
$2.89COP 8,896
16.61%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.39$8.39
$10.06COP 30.9K
-16.60%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$16.51$16.51
$9.97COP 30.7K
65.60%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.25$17.25
$14.20COP 43.7K
21.48%
Apples(1kg)
$7.89$7.89
$3.98COP 12.3K
98.24%
Banana(1kg)
$2.26$2.26
$1.58COP 4,878
43.04%
Oranges(1kg)
$6.59$6.59
$2.15COP 6,624
206.51%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.84$3.84
$2.30COP 7,078
66.96%
Potato(1kg)
$4.17$4.17
$2.00COP 6,169
108.50%
Onion(1kg)
$3.83$3.83
$1.51COP 4,646
153.64%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.60$2.60
$1.20COP 3,701
116.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.05$2.05
$1.28COP 3,946
60.16%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.75$8.75
$3.84COP 11.8K
127.86%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.72$14.72
$14.01COP 43.1K
5.07%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.69$1.69
$1.71COP 5,256
-1.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.36$4.36
$2.74COP 8,440
59.12%
🚌 Getting Around
Mankato, MN
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$1.25COP 3,834
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$77.9COP 239.7K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.99$1.99
$1.31COP 4,016
51.91%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.20$1.20
$2.17COP 6,680
-44.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$20.38$20.38
$8.29COP 25.5K
145.84%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.88$0.88
$1.36COP 4,172
-35.29%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.4K$35.4K
$27.5KCOP 84.5M
29.03%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.7K$24.7K
$36.5KCOP 112.4M
-32.46%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mankato, MN
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$190$190
$169COP 519.2K
12.83%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$53.7$53.7
$13.57COP 41.8K
295.36%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$80.1$80.1
$28.32COP 87.2K
182.98%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mankato, MN
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$40.43$40.43
$45.71COP 140.7K
-11.55%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$17.22COP 53.0K
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.22$15.22
$6.65COP 20.5K
128.87%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mankato, MN
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,352$1,352
$803COP 2.5M
68.24%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.7K$11.7K
$9,190COP 28.3M
26.85%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mankato, MN
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$65.6$65.6
$87.4COP 268.8K
-24.97%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.32$35.32
$59.4COP 182.7K
-40.51%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.2$78.2
$139COP 427.5K
-43.74%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.5$73.5
$102COP 314.0K
-27.96%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mankato, MN
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$992$992
$1,071COP 3.3M
-7.41%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$863$863
$653COP 2.0M
32.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,199$2,199
$1,925COP 5.9M
14.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,402$1,402
$1,048COP 3.2M
33.79%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,592$1,592
$4,123COP 12.7M
-61.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,621$1,621
$1,697COP 5.2M
-4.50%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mankato, MN
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,364$4,364
$655COP 2.0M
566.25%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.03
10.94
-44.88%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mankato, MN: September 7, 2026
Last update for Medellin: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $992 in Mankato, MN and $1,071 in Medellin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Mankato, MN pays 566% 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: $71.0 in Mankato, MN vs $48.00 in Medellin for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $425 vs $300 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 28% in total monthly costs ($2,107 vs $1,641 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 566% 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: $992 in Mankato, MN versus $1,071 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 41% 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 $2,107 per month in Mankato, MN versus $1,641 in Medellin – a 28% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,500 per month?
At $1,641 in Medellin versus $2,107 in Mankato, MN, a $2,500 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 28% 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