🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,681 in Medellin versus $2,608 in Caldwell, TX.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,445 in Medellin versus $3,822 in Caldwell, TX.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,210 in Medellin versus $5,035 in Caldwell, TX.
🌍Living in Medellin costs roughly 36% less than in Caldwell, TX, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Medellin23% above, Caldwell, TX91% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.02COP 25.0K
$20.19$20.19
-60.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.87COP 149.4K
$75.8$75.8
-36.84%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.89COP 30.8K
$11.63$11.63
-14.96%
Cappuccino
$3.13COP 9,767
$5.34$5.34
-41.39%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.91COP 5,954
$2.63$2.63
-27.38%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51COP 4,712
$1.96$1.96
-22.96%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.12COP 9,747
$6.02$6.02
-48.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.75COP 17.9K
$7.41$7.41
-22.40%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.44COP 4,509
$0.96$0.96
50.00%
White Bread(500g)
$2.49COP 7,759
$3.27$3.27
-23.85%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.77COP 5,535
$4.74$4.74
-62.66%
Eggs
$2.96COP 9,235
$4.50$4.50
-34.22%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.07COP 31.4K
$12.84$12.84
-21.57%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.12COP 31.6K
$11.55$11.55
-12.38%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.30COP 44.6K
$17.02$17.02
-15.98%
Apples(1kg)
$4.14COP 12.9K
$4.37$4.37
-5.26%
Banana(1kg)
$1.61COP 5,019
$1.56$1.56
3.21%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.25COP 7,007
$4.02$4.02
-44.03%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.25COP 7,028
$5.17$5.17
-56.48%
Potato(1kg)
$2.04COP 6,375
$2.45$2.45
-16.73%
Onion(1kg)
$1.54COP 4,790
$2.76$2.76
-44.20%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.17COP 3,651
$2.41$2.41
-51.45%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.31COP 4,077
$2.37$2.37
-44.73%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.90COP 12.2K
$11.39$11.39
-65.76%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.01COP 43.7K
$13.01$13.01
7.69%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.74COP 5,439
$1.92$1.92
-9.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87COP 8,956
$2.90$2.90
-1.03%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.22COP 3,792
$2.21$2.21
-44.80%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$80.5COP 251.1K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.31COP 4,084
$3.00$3.00
-56.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.19COP 6,825
$1.46$1.46
50.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.71COP 27.2K
$27.01$27.01
-67.75%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.37COP 4,260
$0.99$0.99
38.38%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.8KCOP 86.9M
$30.9K$30.9K
-10.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.8KCOP 111.6M
$27.5K$27.5K
29.87%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$177COP 553.2K
$202$202
-12.25%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.88COP 43.3K
$56.5$56.5
-75.42%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.72COP 92.8K
$69.6$69.6
-57.32%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.88COP 140.1K
$42.29$42.29
6.12%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.12COP 53.4K
$10.04$10.04
70.52%
Cinema Ticket
$6.65COP 20.7K
$14.03$14.03
-52.60%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$813COP 2.5M
$1,431$1,431
-43.20%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,187COP 28.7M
$23.2K$23.2K
-60.48%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$89.5COP 279.3K
$52.4$52.4
70.95%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.0COP 184.0K
$41.76$41.76
41.21%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$138COP 431.2K
$86.9$86.9
59.09%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$102COP 318.7K
$117$117
-12.69%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,062COP 3.3M
$1,621$1,621
-34.47%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$663COP 2.1M
$1,278$1,278
-48.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,888COP 5.9M
$2,528$2,528
-25.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,027COP 3.2M
$2,155$2,155
-52.34%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,183COP 13.1M
$2,701$2,701
54.89%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,675COP 5.2M
$2,395$2,395
-30.08%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$678COP 2.1M
$1,331$1,331
-49.10%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.94
6.12
78.76%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: September 14, 2026
Last update for Caldwell, TX: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,062 in Medellin and $1,621 in Caldwell, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Caldwell, TX pays 96% 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 $76.0 in Caldwell, TX for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $305 vs $392 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 Caldwell, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Caldwell, TX?
Medellin wins on cost – living expenses run 55% lower than in Caldwell, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Medellin the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Medellin or in Caldwell, TX?
On paper, salaries run 96% lower in Caldwell, TX. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Medellin compared to Caldwell, TX?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,062 in Medellin versus $1,621 in Caldwell, TX. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Medellin and in Caldwell, TX?
Childcare runs $813 in Medellin versus $1,431 in Caldwell, TX. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in Medellin and in Caldwell, TX?
Dining out is cheaper in Medellin – a meal for two runs $48.00 versus $76.0 in Caldwell, TX. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $2,500/month in Medellin or in Caldwell, TX?
At $1,681 in Medellin versus $2,608 in Caldwell, TX, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Caldwell, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Caldwell, TX?
Both work as nomad bases, but Medellin delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,681 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Medellin hard to pass up.
How safe is Medellin compared to Caldwell, TX?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Caldwell, TX are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 55% less than in Caldwell, TX. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.