🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,003 in Medellin versus $2,543 in Caldwell, TX.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,573 in Medellin versus $3,752 in Caldwell, TX.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,143 in Medellin versus $4,961 in Caldwell, TX.
🌍Living in Medellin costs roughly 61% less than in Caldwell, TX, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 25% below, Caldwell, TX is 91% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.91COP 18.6K
$19.20$19.20
-69.22%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.96COP 103.8K
$74.9$74.9
-56.02%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.43COP 23.4K
$11.10$11.10
-33.06%
Cappuccino
$1.65COP 5,207
$5.12$5.12
-67.77%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,468
$2.56$2.56
-57.03%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COP 2,458
$1.98$1.98
-60.61%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,412
$5.89$5.89
-70.80%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COP 10.0K
$7.20$7.20
-55.83%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10COP 3,474
$0.99$0.99
11.11%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COP 3,962
$3.50$3.50
-64.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,349
$4.36$4.36
-68.35%
Eggs
$2.18COP 6,858
$4.08$4.08
-46.57%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.49COP 14.1K
$12.06$12.06
-62.77%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.79COP 18.2K
$11.65$11.65
-50.30%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COP 28.2K
$15.21$15.21
-41.03%
Apples(1kg)
$2.32COP 7,308
$4.99$4.99
-53.51%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COP 3,352
$1.57$1.57
-32.48%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COP 4,774
$4.38$4.38
-65.30%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COP 4,270
$4.69$4.69
-71.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,552
$2.92$2.92
-61.30%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,689
$2.92$2.92
-59.93%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90COP 2,838
$2.10$2.10
-57.14%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COP 2,823
$2.21$2.21
-59.28%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.23COP 7,034
$9.86$9.86
-77.38%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.12COP 38.2K
$16.81$16.81
-27.90%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 3,743
$1.86$1.86
-36.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COP 7,815
$3.41$3.41
-27.27%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.85COP 2,687
$2.04$2.04
-58.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.62COP 131.0K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COP 4,459
$3.56$3.56
-60.11%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.95COP 6,141
$1.59$1.59
22.64%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.89COP 24.8K
$29.15$29.15
-72.93%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,118
$0.85$0.85
16.47%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOP 55.4M
$29.0K$29.0K
-39.29%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 84.4M
$25.2K$25.2K
6.40%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.0COP 261.4K
$184$184
-54.96%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.70COP 30.5K
$53.5$53.5
-81.88%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.52COP 74.1K
$67.8$67.8
-65.30%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.26COP 79.5K
$42.30$42.30
-40.28%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.10COP 60.1K
$9.88$9.88
93.32%
Cinema Ticket
$3.95COP 12.4K
$13.65$13.65
-71.06%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$316COP 994.2K
$1,274$1,274
-75.21%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,975COP 18.8M
$23.8K$23.8K
-74.86%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0COP 188.9K
$51.7$51.7
16.14%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 100.2K
$40.14$40.14
-20.73%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102COP 320.1K
$85.9$85.9
18.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 338.3K
$114$114
-5.70%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$475COP 1.5M
$1,585$1,585
-70.03%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$374COP 1.2M
$1,347$1,347
-72.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$849COP 2.7M
$2,635$2,635
-67.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$719COP 2.3M
$2,221$2,221
-67.61%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,265COP 10.3M
$2,766$2,766
18.06%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,441COP 4.5M
$2,410$2,410
-40.22%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Caldwell, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$624COP 2.0M
$1,352$1,352
-53.80%
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: July 27, 2026
Last update for Caldwell, TX: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $475 in Medellin and $1,585 in Caldwell, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Caldwell, TX pays 116% 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 $75.0 in Caldwell, TX for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $193 vs $393 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 in Caldwell, TX?
On paper, salaries run 116% 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: $475 in Medellin versus $1,585 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 $316 in Medellin versus $1,274 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 $33.00 versus $75.0 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 in Caldwell, TX?
At $1,003 in Medellin versus $2,543 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 $1,003 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.