Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Centennial, CO

For one person, living is cheaper in Medellin: $1,625 a month against $3,186 in Centennial, CO, rent and utilities included – about $18,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,625
/mo nomad
Centennial, CO
🇺🇸 United States
$3,186
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Centennial, CO

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Medellin and in Centennial, CO actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,625 per month in Medellin vs $3,186 in Centennial, CO, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,625
  • Centennial, CO $3,186

A couple spends around $2,412 per month in Medellin vs $4,430 in Centennial, CO, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,412
  • Centennial, CO $4,430

A family of three spends $3,199 per month in Medellin vs $5,674 in Centennial, CO, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,199
  • Centennial, CO $5,674

Medellin is about 49% cheaper than Centennial, CO, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Medellin and Centennial, CO sit above the global median – Medellin by 20%, Centennial, CO by 135%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Centennial, CO
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.30 COP 26.3K
$19.85 $19.85
-58.19%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.91 COP 148.7K
$85.8 $85.8
-45.33%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.24 COP 29.3K
$13.19 $13.19
-29.95%
Cappuccino
$3.05 COP 9,676
$6.11 $6.11
-50.08%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80 COP 5,707
$2.72 $2.72
-33.82%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38 COP 4,382
$2.19 $2.19
-36.99%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.24 COP 10.3K
$6.91 $6.91
-53.11%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.56 COP 17.6K
$7.76 $7.76
-28.35%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Centennial, CO
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.50 COP 4,760
$1.13 $1.13
32.74%
White Bread (500g)
$2.37 COP 7,508
$4.76 $4.76
-50.21%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.70 COP 5,377
$6.44 $6.44
-73.60%
Eggs
$2.96 COP 9,379
$6.10 $6.10
-51.48%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.22 COP 32.4K
$15.10 $15.10
-32.32%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.74 COP 30.9K
$13.45 $13.45
-27.58%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.90 COP 44.1K
$19.50 $19.50
-28.72%
Apples (1kg)
$4.13 COP 13.1K
$5.62 $5.62
-26.51%
Banana (1kg)
$1.53 COP 4,839
$2.14 $2.14
-28.50%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.22 COP 7,052
$4.68 $4.68
-52.56%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.27 COP 7,194
$5.35 $5.35
-57.57%
Potato (1kg)
$1.99 COP 6,311
$2.55 $2.55
-21.96%
Onion (1kg)
$1.67 COP 5,285
$2.64 $2.64
-36.74%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.18 COP 3,742
$2.36 $2.36
-50.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24 COP 3,919
$1.94 $1.94
-36.08%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.87 COP 12.3K
$10.70 $10.70
-63.83%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.78 COP 43.7K
$19.31 $19.31
-28.64%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.66 COP 5,256
$2.76 $2.76
-39.86%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.40 COP 7,615
$3.69 $3.69
-34.96%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Centennial, CO
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.24 COP 3,944
$5.39 $5.39
-76.99%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$78.2 COP 248.0K
$87.1 $87.1
-10.20%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.28 COP 4,044
$3.66 $3.66
-65.03%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.15 COP 6,803
$1.44 $1.44
49.31%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.37 COP 26.5K
$24.72 $24.72
-66.14%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 COP 4,288
$1.06 $1.06
27.36%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.8K COP 110.2M
$30.0K $30.0K
16.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7K COP 110.0M
$26.1K $26.1K
32.89%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Centennial, CO
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$167 COP 528.4K
$197 $197
-15.27%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.62 COP 43.2K
$75.3 $75.3
-81.91%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.12 COP 92.3K
$73.7 $73.7
-60.46%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Centennial, CO
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.09 COP 143.0K
$62.7 $62.7
-28.03%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.18 COP 54.5K
$20.21 $20.21
-14.99%
Cinema Ticket
$6.97 COP 22.1K
$14.79 $14.79
-52.87%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Centennial, CO
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$790 COP 2.5M
$1,497 $1,497
-47.22%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,041 COP 28.7M
$24.9K $24.9K
-63.75%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Centennial, CO
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$87.8 COP 278.4K
$58.3 $58.3
50.57%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.2 COP 184.4K
$36.23 $36.23
60.50%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$139 COP 440.7K
$100 $100
38.99%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$98.9 COP 313.5K
$130 $130
-24.06%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Centennial, CO
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,028 COP 3.3M
$1,832 $1,832
-43.89%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$620 COP 2.0M
$1,669 $1,669
-62.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,881 COP 6.0M
$2,848 $2,848
-33.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,008 COP 3.2M
$2,281 $2,281
-55.84%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,988 COP 12.6M
$3,183 $3,183
25.31%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,702 COP 5.4M
$2,812 $2,812
-39.48%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Centennial, CO
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$663 COP 2.1M
$6,362 $6,362
-89.57%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
6.72
62.80%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Medellin: October 19, 2026

Last update for Centennial, CO: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$619
Centennial, CO
$1.7K 169% $1K
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$298
Centennial, CO
$472 58.5% $174
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$209
Centennial, CO
$346 65.1% $136
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$173
Centennial, CO
$146 15.4% $27
Eating Out
Medellin
$171
Centennial, CO
$341 99.8% $170
Getting Around
Medellin
$95
Centennial, CO
$120 25.5% $24
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$59
Centennial, CO
$92 56.2% $33

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,028 in Medellin versus $1,832 in Centennial, CO. 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 859% higher in Centennial, CO, 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 $47.00 in Medellin versus $86.0 in Centennial, CO. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $298 vs $472 – making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇺🇸 Centennial, CO
🕒 Local time
07:30 7:30 AM
06:30 6:30 AM
1 h behind Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
109,741
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 3,171 COP (10,000 COP = 3.15 USD). 1 EUR = 3,565 COP (10,000 COP = 2.81 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Centennial, CO 4,720 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Centennial, CO

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Centennial, CO: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and in Centennial, CO compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,625 in Medellin, $3,186 in Centennial, CO – roughly 96% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Centennial, CO?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,437 per month in Medellin and $4,779 in Centennial, CO. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and Centennial, CO?
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 has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $47.00 in Medellin and $86.0 in Centennial, CO. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Centennial, CO?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,625 in Medellin and $3,186 in Centennial, CO. That's a gap of about 96%.
Which city is more doable on $2,500 per month?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,625, than in Centennial, CO at $3,186. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Centennial, CO it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Centennial, CO?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,625 in Medellin to $3,186 in Centennial, CO. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Medellin or Centennial, CO safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Medellin and Centennial, CO?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Centennial, CO makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Medellin vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?