πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,030 in Medellin versus $2,507 in Anacortes, WA.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,586 in Medellin versus $3,712 in Anacortes, WA.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,143 in Medellin versus $4,918 in Anacortes, WA.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 59% less than in Anacortes, WA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 23% below, Anacortes, WA is 87% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Anacortes, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.2K
$16.54$16.54
-64.21%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.17COPΒ 118.7K
$69.4$69.4
-52.20%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.25COPΒ 25.9K
$12.44$12.44
-41.72%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,137
$5.10$5.10
-66.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,915
$2.14$2.14
-49.07%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77COPΒ 2,743
$1.82$1.82
-57.69%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.75COPΒ 6,254
$5.11$5.11
-65.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COPΒ 11.4K
$5.08$5.08
-37.40%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Anacortes, WA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,792
$1.11$1.11
-4.50%
White Bread(500g)
$1.30COPΒ 4,657
$4.23$4.23
-69.27%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,926
$8.28$8.28
-83.33%
Eggs
$2.21COPΒ 7,908
$4.59$4.59
-51.85%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.52COPΒ 16.2K
$11.40$11.40
-60.35%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.80COPΒ 20.7K
$15.93$15.93
-63.59%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COPΒ 32.1K
$18.82$18.82
-52.34%
Apples(1kg)
$2.29COPΒ 8,182
$5.22$5.22
-56.13%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,791
$1.70$1.70
-37.65%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.51COPΒ 5,411
$2.87$2.87
-47.39%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COPΒ 4,869
$4.50$4.50
-69.78%
Potato(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,146
$1.49$1.49
-22.15%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,174
$2.11$2.11
-44.55%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.83COPΒ 2,960
$0.63$0.63
31.75%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85COPΒ 3,043
$1.98$1.98
-57.07%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.35COPΒ 8,423
$11.22$11.22
-79.06%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.09COPΒ 39.7K
$15.30$15.30
-27.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.15COPΒ 4,133
$1.76$1.76
-34.66%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,853
$2.56$2.56
-3.52%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Anacortes, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,827
$1.97$1.97
-59.90%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.85COPΒ 149.8K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,140
$2.62$2.62
-45.04%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,793
$1.70$1.70
11.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.70COPΒ 27.6K
$30.15$30.15
-74.46%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.03COPΒ 3,680
$1.04$1.04
-0.96%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.7KCOPΒ 63.3M
$37.0K$37.0K
-52.21%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.0KCOPΒ 96.7M
$27.6K$27.6K
-2.08%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Anacortes, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.4COPΒ 291.4K
$167$167
-51.13%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.42COPΒ 33.7K
$36.97$36.97
-74.52%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.77COPΒ 85.1K
$55.8$55.8
-57.36%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Anacortes, WA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.86COPΒ 92.6K
$43.64$43.64
-40.74%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.34COPΒ 69.2K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.05COPΒ 14.5K
$15.65$15.65
-74.12%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Anacortes, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$2,121$2,121
-85.27%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,067COPΒ 21.7M
$31.7K$31.7K
-80.85%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Anacortes, WA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.9COPΒ 210.7K
$49.96$49.96
17.81%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.82COPΒ 117.5K
$24.59$24.59
33.47%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$100COPΒ 359.6K
$65.5$65.5
53.41%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106COPΒ 380.3K
$136$136
-21.87%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Anacortes, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$490COPΒ 1.8M
$1,597$1,597
-69.35%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$371COPΒ 1.3M
$1,339$1,339
-72.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$2,609$2,609
-67.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$715COPΒ 2.6M
$2,246$2,246
-68.16%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,952COPΒ 10.6M
$4,012$4,012
-26.42%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,394COPΒ 5.0M
$3,917$3,917
-64.41%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Anacortes, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$532COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.51
106.30%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 20, 2026
Last update for Anacortes, WA: April 22, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $490 in Medellin and $1,597 in Anacortes, WA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $33 in Medellin vs $69 in Anacortes, WA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $425 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 Anacortes, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Anacortes, WA?
Medellin wins on cost β living expenses run 144% lower than in Anacortes, WA. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Medellin the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Medellin vs Anacortes, WA?
You'd need roughly $1,544 in Medellin and $3,761 in Anacortes, WA 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 much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Medellin vs Anacortes, WA?
Rent for a central apartment: $490 in Medellin versus $1,597 in Anacortes, WA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Medellin and Anacortes, WA?
Childcare runs $312 in Medellin versus $2,121 in Anacortes, WA. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in Medellin vs Anacortes, WA?
Dining out is cheaper in Medellin β a meal for two runs $33.00 versus $69.0 in Anacortes, WA. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Medellin or Anacortes, WA?
At $1,030 in Medellin versus $2,507 in Anacortes, WA, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Anacortes, 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 Anacortes, WA?
Both work as nomad bases, but Medellin delivers better value β similar infrastructure at $1,030 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 Anacortes, WA?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Anacortes, 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 β expenses run 144% less than in Anacortes, WA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.