🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,034 in Medellin versus $2,627 in Caldwell, TX.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,577 in Medellin versus $3,829 in Caldwell, TX.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,120 in Medellin versus $5,031 in Caldwell, TX.
🙂Living in Medellin costs roughly 61% less than in Caldwell, TX, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 23% below, Caldwell, TX is 96% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COP 21.4K
$19.31$19.31
-69.34%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COP 118.2K
$74.2$74.2
-55.84%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COP 26.0K
$10.83$10.83
-33.52%
Cappuccino
$1.70COP 6,140
$5.05$5.05
-66.34%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,966
$2.61$2.61
-57.85%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COP 2,605
$2.02$2.02
-64.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COP 6,022
$5.89$5.89
-71.65%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COP 11.2K
$7.17$7.17
-56.76%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COP 3,809
$1.00$1.00
6.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COP 4,497
$3.42$3.42
-63.45%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COP 5,022
$4.42$4.42
-68.55%
Eggs
$2.26COP 8,168
$4.14$4.14
-45.41%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COP 15.6K
$12.17$12.17
-64.42%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COP 21.1K
$11.38$11.38
-48.68%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COP 31.9K
$15.23$15.23
-42.02%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COP 8,099
$4.77$4.77
-53.04%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COP 3,882
$1.56$1.56
-30.77%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COP 5,522
$4.20$4.20
-63.57%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COP 4,950
$4.78$4.78
-71.34%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 4,078
$2.81$2.81
-59.79%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COP 4,036
$2.77$2.77
-59.57%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COP 3,057
$2.04$2.04
-58.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COP 3,281
$2.18$2.18
-58.26%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COP 8,414
$9.74$9.74
-76.08%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COP 40.2K
$12.81$12.81
-13.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 4,309
$1.78$1.78
-33.15%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COP 8,553
$3.27$3.27
-27.52%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COP 2,838
$1.97$1.97
-59.90%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COP 148.5K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COP 5,184
$3.53$3.53
-59.21%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COP 6,901
$1.59$1.59
20.13%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COP 28.9K
$28.90$28.90
-72.25%
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
$29.7K$29.7K
-39.63%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 96.7M
$25.7K$25.7K
4.12%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COP 303.1K
$189$189
-55.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COP 34.7K
$51.8$51.8
-81.47%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COP 87.2K
$66.5$66.5
-63.67%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COP 93.4K
$43.68$43.68
-40.75%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COP 68.7K
$10.02$10.02
90.02%
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COP 14.1K
$13.60$13.60
-71.18%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COP 1.1M
$1,320$1,320
-76.80%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COP 21.4M
$23.3K$23.3K
-74.64%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COP 209.1K
$51.1$51.1
13.39%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 114.9K
$39.79$39.79
-20.03%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COP 360.6K
$86.0$86.0
16.11%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 386.8K
$113$113
-4.80%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COP 1.8M
$1,617$1,617
-69.89%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COP 1.3M
$1,356$1,356
-72.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COP 3.0M
$2,664$2,664
-69.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COP 2.6M
$2,244$2,244
-68.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COP 10.6M
$2,722$2,722
7.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COP 5.1M
$2,394$2,394
-41.23%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COP 2.0M
$1,359$1,359
-59.85%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.51
106.30%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026
Last update for Caldwell, TX: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $487 in Medellin and $1,617 in Caldwell, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Caldwell, TX pays 149% 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: $33.00 in Medellin vs $74.0 in Caldwell, TX for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $381 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 154% 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 Caldwell, TX?
On paper, Caldwell, TX earns 149% less. 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 vs Caldwell, TX?
Rent for a central apartment: $487 in Medellin versus $1,617 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 Caldwell, TX?
Childcare runs $306 in Medellin versus $1,320 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 vs Caldwell, TX?
Dining out is cheaper in Medellin – a meal for two runs $33.00 versus $74.0 in Caldwell, TX. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Medellin or Caldwell, TX?
At $1,034 in Medellin versus $2,627 in Caldwell, TX, a $1,500 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 $1,034 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 154% less than in Caldwell, TX. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.