πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,034 in Medellin versus $2,607 in Astoria, OR.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,577 in Medellin versus $3,791 in Astoria, OR.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,120 in Medellin versus $4,976 in Astoria, OR.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 60% less than in Astoria, OR, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 23% below, Astoria, OR is 95% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Astoria, OR
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.1K
$17.84$17.84
-66.82%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COPΒ 116.6K
$79.7$79.7
-58.91%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COPΒ 25.6K
$7.85$7.85
-8.28%
Cappuccino
$1.70COPΒ 6,055
$4.44$4.44
-61.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,911
$2.02$2.02
-45.54%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COPΒ 2,569
$1.02$1.02
-29.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COPΒ 5,939
$4.79$4.79
-65.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COPΒ 11.0K
$4.06$4.06
-23.65%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Astoria, OR
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,756
$1.11$1.11
-4.50%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COPΒ 4,435
$3.84$3.84
-67.45%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COPΒ 4,953
$3.76$3.76
-63.03%
Eggs
$2.26COPΒ 8,055
$4.87$4.87
-53.59%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COPΒ 15.4K
$15.34$15.34
-71.77%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COPΒ 20.8K
$12.94$12.94
-54.87%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COPΒ 31.4K
$16.29$16.29
-45.79%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COPΒ 7,987
$4.28$4.28
-47.66%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COPΒ 3,828
$1.45$1.45
-25.52%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COPΒ 5,446
$3.79$3.79
-59.63%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,882
$3.84$3.84
-64.32%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COPΒ 4,022
$2.10$2.10
-46.19%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COPΒ 3,981
$2.16$2.16
-48.15%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COPΒ 3,015
$1.91$1.91
-55.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COPΒ 3,235
$1.70$1.70
-46.47%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COPΒ 8,298
$10.42$10.42
-77.64%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COPΒ 39.6K
$14.07$14.07
-20.90%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COPΒ 4,250
$1.67$1.67
-28.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COPΒ 8,435
$3.01$3.01
-21.26%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Astoria, OR
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,798
$1.94$1.94
-59.28%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,112
$3.53$3.53
-59.21%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COPΒ 6,805
$1.59$1.59
20.13%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COPΒ 28.5K
$39.41$39.41
-79.65%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COPΒ 3,338
$1.03$1.03
-8.74%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOPΒ 63.8M
$27.5K$27.5K
-34.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOPΒ 95.4M
$24.9K$24.9K
7.75%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Astoria, OR
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COPΒ 298.9K
$280$280
-69.99%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COPΒ 34.2K
$56.4$56.4
-82.96%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COPΒ 86.0K
$75.7$75.7
-68.06%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Astoria, OR
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COPΒ 92.1K
$42.62$42.62
-39.28%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COPΒ 67.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COPΒ 13.9K
$12.99$12.99
-69.82%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Astoria, OR
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COPΒ 1.1M
$1,296$1,296
-76.37%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COPΒ 21.1M
$23.9K$23.9K
-75.19%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Astoria, OR
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COPΒ 206.2K
$45.94$45.94
26.06%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COPΒ 113.3K
$53.0$53.0
-39.91%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COPΒ 355.7K
$85.2$85.2
17.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COPΒ 381.4K
$80.1$80.1
33.72%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Astoria, OR
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COPΒ 1.7M
$1,583$1,583
-69.25%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COPΒ 1.3M
$1,334$1,334
-72.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COPΒ 2.9M
$2,231$2,231
-62.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COPΒ 2.5M
$2,227$2,227
-67.84%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COPΒ 10.4M
$2,946$2,946
-0.71%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COPΒ 5.0M
$2,522$2,522
-44.22%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Astoria, OR
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COPΒ 1.9M
$6,061$6,061
-91.00%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.55
105.04%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026
Last update for Astoria, OR: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $487 in Medellin and $1,583 in Astoria, OR. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Astoria, OR pays 1011% 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 in Medellin vs $80 in Astoria, OR for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $389 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 Astoria, OR: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and Astoria, OR?
Medellin and Astoria, OR differ by about 152% in total monthly costs ($1,034 vs $2,607 including rent). Medellin is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Astoria, OR earns 1011% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Medellin and Astoria, OR?
Rent for a central apartment: $487 in Medellin versus $1,583 in Astoria, OR. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 105% higher in Astoria, OR. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Astoria, OR?
All in, you'll spend $1,034 per month in Medellin versus $2,607 in Astoria, OR β a 152% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,034 in Medellin versus $2,607 in Astoria, OR, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Astoria, OR. 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 Astoria, OR?
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.
Where should expats move: Medellin or Astoria, OR?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 152% less than in Astoria, OR. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.