🙂A single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $2,535 in Burlington, NC, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $3,691 in Burlington, NC, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $4,847 in Burlington, NC, rent included.
🙂Medellin is about 59% cheaper than Burlington, NC, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Medellin sits 23% below the global median, while Burlington, NC is 89% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Moneda
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Burlington, NC
Diferencia
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COP 21.5K
$19.19$19.19
-69.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COP 119.1K
$73.5$73.5
-55.44%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COP 26.2K
$10.89$10.89
-33.88%
Cappuccino
$1.70COP 6,186
$4.98$4.98
-65.86%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,996
$2.59$2.59
-57.53%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COP 2,625
$1.96$1.96
-63.27%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COP 6,067
$6.01$6.01
-72.21%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COP 11.3K
$6.94$6.94
-55.33%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Burlington, NC
Diferencia
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COP 3,837
$1.00$1.00
6.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COP 4,531
$3.45$3.45
-63.77%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COP 5,060
$4.40$4.40
-68.41%
Eggs
$2.26COP 8,229
$4.11$4.11
-45.01%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COP 15.8K
$12.05$12.05
-64.07%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COP 21.2K
$11.31$11.31
-48.36%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COP 32.1K
$15.19$15.19
-41.87%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COP 8,159
$4.91$4.91
-54.38%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COP 3,911
$1.58$1.58
-31.65%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COP 5,563
$4.37$4.37
-64.99%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COP 4,987
$4.59$4.59
-70.15%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 4,109
$2.86$2.86
-60.49%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COP 4,067
$2.77$2.77
-59.57%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COP 3,080
$2.00$2.00
-57.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COP 3,305
$2.17$2.17
-58.06%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COP 8,477
$9.72$9.72
-76.03%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COP 40.5K
$13.83$13.83
-19.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 4,342
$1.80$1.80
-33.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COP 8,617
$3.35$3.35
-29.25%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Burlington, NC
Diferencia
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COP 2,859
$2.04$2.04
-61.27%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COP 149.6K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COP 5,223
$3.54$3.54
-59.32%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COP 6,952
$1.60$1.60
19.37%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COP 29.2K
$29.60$29.60
-72.91%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COP 3,410
$0.84$0.84
11.90%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOP 65.2M
$29.7K$29.7K
-39.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 97.4M
$25.7K$25.7K
4.36%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Burlington, NC
Diferencia
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COP 305.4K
$187$187
-55.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COP 34.9K
$51.8$51.8
-81.46%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COP 87.9K
$68.6$68.6
-64.80%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Burlington, NC
Diferencia
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COP 94.1K
$42.23$42.23
-38.72%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COP 69.3K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COP 14.2K
$13.58$13.58
-71.13%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Burlington, NC
Diferencia
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COP 1.1M
$1,321$1,321
-76.81%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COP 21.5M
$23.5K$23.5K
-74.78%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Burlington, NC
Diferencia
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COP 210.6K
$49.97$49.97
15.89%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 115.7K
$39.54$39.54
-19.52%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COP 363.3K
$87.7$87.7
13.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 389.7K
$114$114
-6.08%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Burlington, NC
Diferencia
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COP 1.8M
$1,595$1,595
-69.48%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COP 1.3M
$1,365$1,365
-73.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COP 3.0M
$2,655$2,655
-68.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COP 2.6M
$2,237$2,237
-68.00%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COP 10.6M
$2,727$2,727
7.29%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COP 5.1M
$2,490$2,490
-43.51%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Burlington, NC
Diferencia
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COP 2.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.51
106.30%
Los datos de CityCost se basan en IA y aportaciones de usuarios. Puede haber pequeñas variaciones.
Última actualización para Medellin: April 27, 2026
Última actualización para Burlington, NC: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $487 in Medellin versus $1,595 in Burlington, NC. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $74.0 in Burlington, NC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $383 – making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
Comparación de velocidades medias de internet por ciudad (actualizado April 2026)
El gráfico resalta el umbral de precisión para velocidades de internet móvil y fija, actualizado trimestralmente.
Índice del coste de vida para nómadas digitales
Medellin vs Burlington, NC: Coste de vida - preguntas frecuentes
How do living costs in Medellin and Burlington, NC compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,034 in Medellin, $2,535 in Burlington, NC – roughly 145% apart. Burlington, NC costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Burlington, NC?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,550 per month in Medellin and $3,802 in Burlington, NC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and Burlington, NC?
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.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Burlington, NC?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,034 in Medellin and $2,535 in Burlington, NC. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Medellin and Burlington, NC?
Kindergarten costs $306 per month in Medellin and $1,321 in Burlington, NC. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,034, than in Burlington, NC at $2,535. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Burlington, NC it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Burlington, NC?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,034 in Medellin to $2,535 in Burlington, NC. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Medellin and Burlington, NC?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Burlington, NC makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Medellin vs otros destinos: coste de vida comparado