🙂A single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $2,223 in Billings, MT, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $3,395 in Billings, MT, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $4,567 in Billings, MT, rent included.
🙂Medellin is about 54% cheaper than Billings, MT, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Medellin sits 23% below the global median, while Billings, MT is 66% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Billings, MT
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COP 21.4K
$19.71$19.71
-69.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COP 118.2K
$59.0$59.0
-44.50%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COP 26.0K
$14.42$14.42
-50.07%
Cappuccino
$1.70COP 6,140
$5.77$5.77
-70.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,966
$2.17$2.17
-49.31%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COP 2,605
$2.75$2.75
-73.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COP 6,022
$4.57$4.57
-63.46%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COP 11.2K
$4.87$4.87
-36.34%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Billings, MT
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COP 3,809
$1.26$1.26
-15.87%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COP 4,497
$4.45$4.45
-71.91%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COP 5,022
$4.12$4.12
-66.26%
Eggs
$2.26COP 8,168
$3.17$3.17
-28.71%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COP 15.6K
$14.17$14.17
-69.44%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COP 21.1K
$12.45$12.45
-53.09%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COP 31.9K
$16.20$16.20
-45.49%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COP 8,099
$4.52$4.52
-50.44%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COP 3,882
$1.39$1.39
-22.30%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COP 5,522
$3.84$3.84
-60.16%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COP 4,950
$6.28$6.28
-78.18%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 4,078
$1.83$1.83
-38.25%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COP 4,036
$3.10$3.10
-63.87%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COP 3,057
$2.38$2.38
-64.29%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COP 3,281
$1.28$1.28
-28.91%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COP 8,414
$9.19$9.19
-74.65%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COP 40.2K
$12.93$12.93
-13.92%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 4,309
$2.18$2.18
-45.41%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COP 8,553
$3.86$3.86
-38.60%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Billings, MT
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COP 2,838
$2.05$2.05
-61.46%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COP 148.5K
$28.14$28.14
46.16%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COP 5,184
$2.45$2.45
-41.22%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COP 6,901
$1.65$1.65
15.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COP 28.9K
$28.80$28.80
-72.15%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COP 3,385
$0.84$0.84
11.90%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOP 64.7M
$22.2K$22.2K
-19.45%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 96.7M
$25.3K$25.3K
5.83%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Billings, MT
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COP 303.1K
$157$157
-46.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COP 34.7K
$48.28$48.28
-80.12%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COP 87.2K
$67.5$67.5
-64.19%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Billings, MT
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COP 93.4K
$48.45$48.45
-46.58%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COP 68.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COP 14.1K
$14.22$14.22
-72.43%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Billings, MT
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COP 1.1M
$1,001$1,001
-69.39%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COP 21.4M
$31.7K$31.7K
-81.30%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Billings, MT
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COP 209.1K
$55.5$55.5
4.27%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 114.9K
$66.3$66.3
-52.02%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COP 360.6K
$100.0$100.0
-0.05%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 386.8K
$123$123
-13.01%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Billings, MT
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COP 1.8M
$1,173$1,173
-58.49%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COP 1.3M
$936$936
-60.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COP 3.0M
$2,095$2,095
-60.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COP 2.6M
$1,859$1,859
-61.49%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COP 10.6M
$2,361$2,361
23.91%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COP 5.1M
$2,127$2,127
-33.84%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Billings, MT
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COP 2.0M
$3,925$3,925
-86.10%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.59
103.79%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026
Last update for Billings, MT: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $487 in Medellin versus $1,173 in Billings, MT. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 619% higher in Billings, MT, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $59.0 in Billings, MT. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $398 – making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Billings, MT: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Billings, MT?
Billings, MT costs about 115% more than Medellin, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Medellin vs Billings, MT?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,550 per month in Medellin and $3,334 in Billings, MT. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Medellin or Billings, MT?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Medellin, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How expensive is transport in Medellin vs Billings, MT?
Public transport costs about 46% less in Medellin. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Medellin and Billings, MT?
Kindergarten costs $306 per month in Medellin and $1,001 in Billings, MT. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Medellin or Billings, MT?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,034, than in Billings, MT at $2,223. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Billings, MT it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Billings, MT?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Medellin costs $1,034 versus $2,223 in Billings, MT. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Medellin or Billings, MT?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Billings, MT makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.