🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,641 in Medellin versus $2,394 in Augusta, ME.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,447 in Medellin versus $3,287 in Augusta, ME.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,253 in Medellin versus $4,181 in Augusta, ME.
🌍Living in Medellin costs roughly 31% less than in Augusta, ME, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Medellin19% above, Augusta, ME74% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Augusta, ME
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.04COP 24.8K
$20.34$20.34
-60.47%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.29COP 148.6K
$53.5$53.5
-9.69%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.42COP 29.0K
$10.28$10.28
-8.37%
Cappuccino
$2.94COP 9,040
$5.16$5.16
-43.02%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86COP 5,735
$2.37$2.37
-21.52%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.46COP 4,479
$1.57$1.57
-7.01%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.21COP 9,882
$4.95$4.95
-35.15%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.71COP 17.6K
$7.69$7.69
-25.75%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Augusta, ME
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.44COP 4,428
$1.11$1.11
29.73%
White Bread(500g)
$2.40COP 7,389
$4.28$4.28
-43.93%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70COP 5,228
$1.52$1.52
11.84%
Eggs
$2.89COP 8,896
$3.89$3.89
-25.71%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.06COP 30.9K
$15.11$15.11
-33.42%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.97COP 30.7K
$14.21$14.21
-29.84%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.20COP 43.7K
$19.16$19.16
-25.89%
Apples(1kg)
$3.98COP 12.3K
$7.48$7.48
-46.79%
Banana(1kg)
$1.58COP 4,878
$1.31$1.31
20.61%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.15COP 6,624
$3.21$3.21
-33.02%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.30COP 7,078
$4.68$4.68
-50.85%
Potato(1kg)
$2.00COP 6,169
$2.33$2.33
-14.16%
Onion(1kg)
$1.51COP 4,646
$2.72$2.72
-44.49%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.20COP 3,701
$1.98$1.98
-39.39%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.28COP 3,946
$1.75$1.75
-26.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.84COP 11.8K
$11.97$11.97
-67.92%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.01COP 43.1K
$13.21$13.21
6.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71COP 5,256
$1.63$1.63
4.91%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.74COP 8,440
$1.56$1.56
75.64%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Augusta, ME
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.25COP 3,834
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$77.9COP 239.7K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.31COP 4,016
$2.63$2.63
-50.19%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.17COP 6,680
$1.23$1.23
76.42%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.29COP 25.5K
$28.30$28.30
-70.71%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.36COP 4,172
$0.90$0.90
51.11%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.5KCOP 84.5M
$35.9K$35.9K
-23.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.5KCOP 112.4M
$24.3K$24.3K
50.10%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Augusta, ME
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$169COP 519.2K
$254$254
-33.46%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.57COP 41.8K
$45.47$45.47
-70.16%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.32COP 87.2K
$61.4$61.4
-53.86%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Augusta, ME
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$45.71COP 140.7K
$22.46$22.46
103.52%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.22COP 53.0K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.65COP 20.5K
$13.92$13.92
-52.23%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Augusta, ME
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$803COP 2.5M
$2,849$2,849
-71.80%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,190COP 28.3M
$36.3K$36.3K
-74.70%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Augusta, ME
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$87.4COP 268.8K
$73.3$73.3
19.17%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.4COP 182.7K
$48.83$48.83
21.59%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$139COP 427.5K
$118$118
17.81%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$102COP 314.0K
$169$169
-39.62%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Augusta, ME
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,071COP 3.3M
$1,222$1,222
-12.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$653COP 2.0M
$1,085$1,085
-39.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,925COP 5.9M
$1,577$1,577
22.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,048COP 3.2M
$1,470$1,470
-28.73%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,123COP 12.7M
$2,357$2,357
74.94%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,697COP 5.2M
$2,375$2,375
-28.54%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Augusta, ME
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$655COP 2.0M
$1,970$1,970
-66.74%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.94
6.28
74.20%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: September 7, 2026
Last update for Augusta, ME: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,071 in Medellin and $1,222 in Augusta, ME. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Augusta, ME pays 201% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $48.00 in Medellin vs $53.0 in Augusta, ME for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $300 vs $410 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 Augusta, ME: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and in Augusta, ME?
Medellin and Augusta, ME differ by about 46% in total monthly costs ($1,641 vs $2,394 including rent). Medellin is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 201% lower in Augusta, ME. 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 in Augusta, ME?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,071 in Medellin versus $1,222 in Augusta, ME. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Medellin and Augusta, ME?
Childcare runs $803 in Medellin versus $2,849 in Augusta, ME. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Medellin – a meal for two runs $48.00 versus $53.0 in Augusta, ME. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,500 per month?
At $1,641 in Medellin versus $2,394 in Augusta, ME, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Augusta, ME. 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 Augusta, ME?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Medellin or Augusta, ME?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 46% less than in Augusta, ME. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.