🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,687 in Medellin versus $2,550 in Airway Heights, WA.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,535 in Medellin versus $3,763 in Airway Heights, WA.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,383 in Medellin versus $4,976 in Airway Heights, WA.
🌍Living in Medellin costs roughly 34% less than in Airway Heights, WA, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Medellin23% above, Airway Heights, WA86% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Airway Heights, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.89COP 24.2K
$20.24$20.24
-61.02%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.53COP 136.5K
$75.8$75.8
-41.27%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.29COP 28.5K
$13.22$13.22
-29.73%
Cappuccino
$2.90COP 8,874
$5.00$5.00
-42.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.81COP 5,541
$2.41$2.41
-24.90%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.55COP 4,741
$2.15$2.15
-27.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.25COP 9,962
$6.81$6.81
-52.28%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.88COP 18.0K
$5.90$5.90
-0.34%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Airway Heights, WA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38COP 4,230
$0.95$0.95
45.26%
White Bread(500g)
$2.45COP 7,517
$2.35$2.35
4.26%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.51COP 4,617
$2.42$2.42
-37.60%
Eggs
$2.78COP 8,516
$3.41$3.41
-18.48%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.05COP 27.7K
$16.08$16.08
-43.72%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.65COP 32.6K
$5.99$5.99
77.80%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.63COP 44.8K
$17.29$17.29
-15.38%
Apples(1kg)
$3.97COP 12.2K
$6.10$6.10
-34.92%
Banana(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,219
$1.74$1.74
-20.69%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.30COP 7,056
$2.91$2.91
-20.96%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.02COP 6,185
$3.90$3.90
-48.21%
Potato(1kg)
$2.09COP 6,390
$1.97$1.97
6.09%
Onion(1kg)
$1.63COP 4,996
$2.71$2.71
-39.85%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.08COP 3,313
$1.92$1.92
-43.75%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.25COP 3,843
$1.91$1.91
-34.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.03COP 12.4K
$11.95$11.95
-66.28%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.47COP 41.3K
$14.27$14.27
-5.61%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.60COP 4,904
$1.89$1.89
-15.34%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00COP 9,189
$5.03$5.03
-40.36%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Airway Heights, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.18COP 3,611
$1.95$1.95
-39.49%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$79.9COP 244.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.61COP 4,920
$5.07$5.07
-68.24%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.13COP 6,533
$1.79$1.79
18.99%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.52COP 26.1K
$39.83$39.83
-78.61%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.35COP 4,142
$1.26$1.26
7.14%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.3KCOP 86.8M
$35.9K$35.9K
-21.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.7KCOP 109.4M
$25.8K$25.8K
38.13%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Airway Heights, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$151COP 463.8K
$175$175
-13.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.10COP 40.1K
$75.7$75.7
-82.69%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.30COP 99.0K
$75.7$75.7
-57.31%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Airway Heights, WA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$46.33COP 141.9K
$41.49$41.49
11.67%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.26COP 52.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.43COP 19.7K
$15.82$15.82
-59.36%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Airway Heights, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$835COP 2.6M
$1,358$1,358
-38.52%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,887COP 27.2M
$21.2K$21.2K
-58.10%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Airway Heights, WA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$89.3COP 273.7K
$53.5$53.5
67.13%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.3COP 169.5K
$50.2$50.2
10.16%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$137COP 418.5K
$114$114
19.92%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COP 335.1K
$147$147
-25.44%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Airway Heights, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$952COP 2.9M
$1,608$1,608
-40.78%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$668COP 2.0M
$1,293$1,293
-48.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,020COP 6.2M
$2,548$2,548
-20.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,148COP 3.5M
$2,126$2,126
-45.99%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,696COP 11.3M
$2,693$2,693
37.24%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,586COP 4.9M
$2,367$2,367
-33.01%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Airway Heights, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$625COP 1.9M
$4,160$4,160
-84.97%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.43
6.23
67.42%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: August 17, 2026
Last update for Airway Heights, WA: August 18, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $952 in Medellin and $1,608 in Airway Heights, WA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Airway Heights, WA pays 565% 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: $45.00 in Medellin vs $76.0 in Airway Heights, WA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $297 vs $348 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
Medellin vs Airway Heights, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Airway Heights, WA?
Medellin wins on cost – living expenses run 51% lower than in Airway Heights, WA. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Medellin the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Medellin or in Airway Heights, WA?
On paper, salaries run 565% lower in Airway Heights, WA. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Medellin compared to Airway Heights, WA?
Rent for a central apartment: $952 in Medellin versus $1,608 in Airway Heights, WA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Medellin or in Airway Heights, WA?
Supermarket bills run roughly 17% higher in Airway Heights, WA. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Medellin compared to Airway Heights, WA?
All in, you'll spend $1,687 per month in Medellin versus $2,550 in Airway Heights, WA – a 51% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $2,500/month in Medellin or in Airway Heights, WA?
At $1,687 in Medellin versus $2,550 in Airway Heights, WA, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Airway Heights, WA. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Airway Heights, WA?
Both work as nomad bases, but Medellin delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,687 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Medellin hard to pass up.
How safe is Medellin compared to Airway Heights, WA?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Airway Heights, WA are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 51% less than in Airway Heights, WA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.