🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,028 in Medellin versus $2,710 in Airway Heights, WA.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,586 in Medellin versus $3,948 in Airway Heights, WA.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,144 in Medellin versus $5,185 in Airway Heights, WA.
🌍Living in Medellin costs roughly 62% less than in Airway Heights, WA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 23% below, Airway Heights, WA is 103% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Airway Heights, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.00COP 20.6K
$20.15$20.15
-70.22%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.84COP 112.9K
$65.8$65.8
-50.05%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.42COP 25.5K
$12.11$12.11
-38.73%
Cappuccino
$1.65COP 5,675
$4.61$4.61
-64.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07COP 3,673
$2.58$2.58
-58.53%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76COP 2,614
$2.05$2.05
-62.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,925
$6.15$6.15
-72.03%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20COP 11.0K
$6.61$6.61
-51.59%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Airway Heights, WA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COP 3,607
$0.94$0.94
11.70%
White Bread(500g)
$1.31COP 4,492
$2.94$2.94
-55.44%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.34COP 4,604
$6.57$6.57
-79.60%
Eggs
$2.19COP 7,543
$4.58$4.58
-52.18%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.41COP 15.2K
$16.70$16.70
-73.59%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.69COP 19.6K
$14.47$14.47
-60.68%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.52COP 29.3K
$16.17$16.17
-47.31%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COP 8,046
$5.18$5.18
-54.83%
Banana(1kg)
$1.11COP 3,815
$1.78$1.78
-37.64%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COP 5,225
$5.16$5.16
-70.54%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COP 4,694
$5.62$5.62
-75.62%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COP 3,962
$2.77$2.77
-58.48%
Onion(1kg)
$1.18COP 4,055
$2.65$2.65
-55.47%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.84COP 2,893
$1.96$1.96
-57.14%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86COP 2,940
$2.07$2.07
-58.45%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.26COP 7,776
$11.35$11.35
-80.09%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.60COP 39.9K
$14.22$14.22
-18.42%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COP 4,121
$1.78$1.78
-32.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COP 8,508
$5.03$5.03
-50.70%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Airway Heights, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COP 2,729
$2.02$2.02
-60.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.83COP 140.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COP 5,038
$4.91$4.91
-70.06%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.92COP 6,587
$1.76$1.76
9.09%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.77COP 26.7K
$39.92$39.92
-80.54%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COP 3,474
$0.93$0.93
8.60%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.7KCOP 60.7M
$27.8K$27.8K
-36.44%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOP 90.9M
$26.3K$26.3K
0.69%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Airway Heights, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.1COP 278.8K
$271$271
-70.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.43COP 32.4K
$56.0$56.0
-83.15%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.86COP 82.0K
$74.5$74.5
-67.98%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Airway Heights, WA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.99COP 89.4K
$43.02$43.02
-39.59%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.71COP 64.3K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.09COP 14.1K
$14.85$14.85
-72.46%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Airway Heights, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$315COP 1.1M
$1,459$1,459
-78.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,022COP 20.7M
$16.0K$16.0K
-62.32%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Airway Heights, WA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.7COP 205.2K
$52.6$52.6
13.50%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.97COP 109.9K
$50.1$50.1
-36.17%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101COP 347.9K
$85.0$85.0
19.10%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$105COP 361.3K
$96.7$96.7
8.66%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Airway Heights, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$485COP 1.7M
$1,596$1,596
-69.58%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$365COP 1.3M
$1,339$1,339
-72.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$827COP 2.8M
$2,680$2,680
-69.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$730COP 2.5M
$2,227$2,227
-67.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,992COP 10.3M
$2,542$2,542
17.71%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,314COP 4.5M
$2,122$2,122
-38.07%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Airway Heights, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$551COP 1.9M
$4,280$4,280
-87.13%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.64
102.26%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 15, 2026
Last update for Airway Heights, WA: June 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $485 in Medellin and $1,596 in Airway Heights, WA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Airway Heights, WA pays 677% 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: $33.00 in Medellin vs $66.0 in Airway Heights, WA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $433 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 164% 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 677% 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: $485 in Medellin versus $1,596 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 128% 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 $1,028 per month in Medellin versus $2,710 in Airway Heights, WA – a 164% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Medellin or in Airway Heights, WA?
At $1,028 in Medellin versus $2,710 in Airway Heights, WA, a $1,500 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 $1,028 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 164% less than in Airway Heights, WA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.