😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,716 in Medellin versus $1,678 in Athens, OH.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,527 in Medellin versus $2,494 in Athens, OH.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,338 in Medellin versus $3,310 in Athens, OH.
🌍Living in Medellin is roughly 2% more expensive than in Athens, OH, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Medellin25% above, Athens, OH22% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Athens, OH
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.03COP 25.2K
$15.02$15.02
-46.54%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.26COP 151.7K
$50.0$50.0
-3.52%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.77COP 30.7K
$10.15$10.15
-3.74%
Cappuccino
$2.91COP 9,149
$5.02$5.02
-42.03%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94COP 6,110
$2.33$2.33
-16.74%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.52COP 4,783
$1.41$1.41
7.80%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.09COP 9,721
$4.97$4.97
-37.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.74COP 18.1K
$6.86$6.86
-16.33%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Athens, OH
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.36COP 4,287
$0.69$0.69
97.10%
White Bread(500g)
$2.39COP 7,505
$2.16$2.16
10.65%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70COP 5,346
$2.92$2.92
-41.78%
Eggs
$2.87COP 9,021
$4.19$4.19
-31.50%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.94COP 31.2K
$12.97$12.97
-23.36%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.78COP 33.9K
$8.67$8.67
24.34%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.73COP 46.3K
$16.22$16.22
-9.19%
Apples(1kg)
$4.09COP 12.8K
$3.65$3.65
12.05%
Banana(1kg)
$1.57COP 4,940
$0.97$0.97
61.86%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.13COP 6,682
$2.73$2.73
-21.98%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.21COP 6,959
$2.99$2.99
-26.09%
Potato(1kg)
$2.05COP 6,435
$1.63$1.63
25.77%
Onion(1kg)
$1.50COP 4,728
$2.20$2.20
-31.82%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.19COP 3,740
$1.69$1.69
-29.59%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.16COP 3,640
$1.93$1.93
-39.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.90COP 12.2K
$9.16$9.16
-57.42%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.44COP 45.4K
$14.84$14.84
-2.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.58COP 4,978
$2.09$2.09
-24.40%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.83COP 8,889
$3.02$3.02
-6.29%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Athens, OH
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.17COP 3,672
$0.99$0.99
18.18%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$77.7COP 244.3K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.28COP 4,038
$3.82$3.82
-66.49%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.09COP 6,576
$1.25$1.25
67.20%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.62COP 27.1K
$25.21$25.21
-65.81%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.30COP 4,080
$0.87$0.87
49.43%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.7KCOP 86.9M
$36.5K$36.5K
-24.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.5KCOP 111.6M
$25.9K$25.9K
37.27%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Athens, OH
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$176COP 553.4K
$150$150
17.60%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.37COP 42.0K
$29.94$29.94
-55.34%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.89COP 94.0K
$48.78$48.78
-38.72%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Athens, OH
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.76COP 140.7K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.06COP 53.6K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.20COP 19.5K
$12.09$12.09
-48.72%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Athens, OH
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$793COP 2.5M
$1,442$1,442
-44.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,019COP 28.4M
$19.3K$19.3K
-53.39%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Athens, OH
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$85.6COP 269.1K
$45.48$45.48
88.24%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.5COP 183.8K
$44.84$44.84
30.40%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$136COP 428.4K
$66.2$66.2
105.92%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103COP 324.1K
$110$110
-5.99%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Athens, OH
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,060COP 3.3M
$1,303$1,303
-18.65%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$680COP 2.1M
$699$699
-2.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,012COP 6.3M
$1,468$1,468
37.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,169COP 3.7M
$1,252$1,252
-6.69%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,111COP 12.9M
$1,649$1,649
149.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,701COP 5.3M
$1,653$1,653
2.95%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Athens, OH
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$665COP 2.1M
$3,464$3,464
-80.80%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.94
6.21
76.17%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: August 30, 2026
Last update for Athens, OH: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,060 in Medellin and $1,303 in Athens, OH. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Athens, OH pays 421% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $48.00 in Medellin vs $50.0 in Athens, OH for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $303 vs $323 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 Athens, OH: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Athens, OH cheaper than Medellin?
Athens, OH is cheaper overall, especially in Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Sport & Entertainment. The 2% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Medellin or Athens, OH?
On paper, salaries run 421% lower in Athens, OH. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Medellin and Athens, OH?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,060 in Medellin versus $1,303 in Athens, OH. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and in Athens, OH?
Shoppers in Medellin pay roughly 7% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin and in Athens, OH?
All in, you'll spend $1,716 per month in Medellin versus $1,678 in Athens, OH – a 2% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Athens, OH?
At $1,678 in Athens, OH versus $1,716 in Medellin, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Athens, OH but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Athens, OH the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or Athens, OH more family-friendly?
For families, Athens, OH is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Medellin, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Athens, OH gentler on the wallet – expenses run 2% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.