πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,013 in Medellin versus $1,046 in Albion.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $1,860 in Albion.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,192 in Medellin versus $2,674 in Albion.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 3% less than in Albion, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, Albion22% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Albion
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$6.69MURΒ 316
-10.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
$44.06MURΒ 2,082
-25.42%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$6.43MURΒ 304
10.26%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
$1.60MURΒ 75.4
6.87%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
$0.97MURΒ 45.90
13.40%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
$0.60MURΒ 28.58
30.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
$1.96MURΒ 92.6
-14.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$2.66MURΒ 126
15.41%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Albion
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
$1.51MURΒ 71.4
-27.81%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
$0.56MURΒ 26.65
125.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
$1.32MURΒ 62.4
4.55%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
$2.35MURΒ 111
-6.81%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$11.91MURΒ 563
-63.06%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$5.27MURΒ 249
6.83%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
$8.32MURΒ 393
6.85%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
$1.61MURΒ 76.1
45.34%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
$1.38MURΒ 65.0
-23.19%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
$1.45MURΒ 68.5
3.45%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
$2.02MURΒ 95.6
-31.68%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
$0.84MURΒ 39.69
36.90%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
$0.67MURΒ 31.85
73.13%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
$0.63MURΒ 29.72
41.27%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
$0.31MURΒ 14.83
170.97%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
$6.01MURΒ 284
-62.06%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
$7.83MURΒ 370
35.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
$1.73MURΒ 81.5
-30.64%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
$2.17MURΒ 102
13.82%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Albion
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
$1.11MURΒ 52.7
-22.52%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
$44.01MURΒ 2,079
-5.93%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
$4.31MURΒ 204
-65.89%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
$2.59MURΒ 122
-24.32%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$19.77MURΒ 934
-60.85%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
$1.38MURΒ 65.3
-31.16%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
$35.5KMURΒ 1.7M
-48.91%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
$28.3KMURΒ 1.3M
-6.42%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Albion
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
$48.51MURΒ 2,292
69.55%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$18.39MURΒ 869
-48.34%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
$33.42MURΒ 1,579
-27.50%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Albion
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
$69.4MURΒ 3,279
-62.69%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$6.01MURΒ 284
-34.61%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Albion
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$157MURΒ 7,414
97.19%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$3,953MURΒ 186.8K
50.89%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Albion
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
$55.8MURΒ 2,634
5.22%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
$44.35MURΒ 2,096
-27.06%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 366.4K
$78.1MURΒ 3,691
31.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 387.2K
$88.7MURΒ 4,192
22.22%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Albion
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$507MURΒ 24.0K
-6.09%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$352MURΒ 16.6K
7.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$932MURΒ 44.0K
-10.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$1,110MURΒ 52.4K
-34.77%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Albion
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.67
101.35%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Albion: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $476 in Medellin and $507 in Albion. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $44.00 in Albion for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $188 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
Medellin vs Albion: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and Albion?
Medellin and Albion differ by about 3% in total monthly costs ($1,013 vs $1,046 including rent). Medellin is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Albion?
You'd need roughly $1,519 in Medellin and $1,569 in Albion to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Medellin and Albion?
Rent for a central apartment: $476 in Medellin versus $507 in Albion. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Medellin and Albion?
A monthly transit pass in Medellin runs roughly 6% less than in Albion. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Medellin and Albion?
Childcare runs $309 in Medellin versus $157 in Albion. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,013 in Medellin versus $1,046 in Albion, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Albion. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Albion?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Medellin or Albion safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Albion 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: Medellin or Albion?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 3% less than in Albion. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.