πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,013 in Medellin versus $2,520 in Anacortes, WA.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $3,709 in Anacortes, WA.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,192 in Medellin versus $4,899 in Anacortes, WA.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 60% less than in Anacortes, WA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 24% below, Anacortes, WA is 88% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Anacortes, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.5K
$16.76$16.76
-64.26%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 118.1K
$71.1$71.1
-53.79%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.5K
$12.60$12.60
-43.73%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,154
$5.23$5.23
-67.30%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,949
$2.08$2.08
-47.12%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,798
$1.81$1.81
-56.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 6,035
$4.99$4.99
-66.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$4.92$4.92
-37.60%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Anacortes, WA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,930
$1.16$1.16
-6.03%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,536
$4.19$4.19
-69.93%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,953
$8.45$8.45
-83.67%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,876
$4.38$4.38
-50.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.8K
$11.68$11.68
-62.33%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.2K
$16.43$16.43
-65.73%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 32.0K
$19.38$19.38
-54.13%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,401
$5.14$5.14
-54.47%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,801
$1.65$1.65
-35.76%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,408
$2.80$2.80
-46.43%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,955
$4.34$4.34
-68.20%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,137
$1.46$1.46
-21.23%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,181
$2.14$2.14
-45.79%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,202
$0.62$0.62
43.55%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 3,016
$2.03$2.03
-58.62%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,196
$10.83$10.83
-78.95%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.2K
$14.44$14.44
-26.32%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,311
$1.77$1.77
-32.20%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,880
$2.48$2.48
-0.40%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Anacortes, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,075
$1.98$1.98
-56.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 148.8K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,297
$2.53$2.53
-41.90%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,053
$1.71$1.71
14.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.8K
$30.16$30.16
-74.34%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,430
$1.09$1.09
-12.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 65.2M
$37.4K$37.4K
-51.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 95.2M
$27.6K$27.6K
-4.16%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Anacortes, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 295.6K
$170$170
-51.73%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 34.1K
$37.63$37.63
-74.75%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 87.1K
$55.0$55.0
-55.92%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Anacortes, WA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 93.0K
$43.35$43.35
-40.28%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 68.3K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.1K
$15.54$15.54
-74.71%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Anacortes, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$2,063$2,063
-85.00%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.4M
$31.5K$31.5K
-81.04%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Anacortes, WA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 210.8K
$49.33$49.33
18.91%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 116.2K
$24.60$24.60
31.50%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 368.7K
$65.7$65.7
56.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 389.6K
$140$140
-22.65%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Anacortes, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$1,587$1,587
-70.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$1,340$1,340
-71.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$2,660$2,660
-68.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$2,192$2,192
-66.98%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
$2,715$2,715
2.78%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.4M
$2,407$2,407
-49.67%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Anacortes, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$7,097$7,097
-92.79%
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: May 31, 2026
Last update for Anacortes, WA: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $476 in Medellin and $1,587 in Anacortes, WA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Anacortes, WA pays 1287% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $71.0 in Anacortes, WA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $188 vs $427 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 149% 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.
Are salaries higher in Medellin or Anacortes, WA?
On paper, Anacortes, WA earns 1287% less. 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 vs Anacortes, WA?
Rent for a central apartment: $476 in Medellin versus $1,587 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 $309 in Medellin versus $2,063 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 $71.0 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 $1,013 in Medellin versus $2,520 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 $1,013 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 149% less than in Anacortes, WA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.