πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,030 in Medellin versus $2,304 in Cleveland, TN.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,586 in Medellin versus $3,526 in Cleveland, TN.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,143 in Medellin versus $4,747 in Cleveland, TN.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 55% less than in Cleveland, TN, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 23% below, Cleveland, TN is 72% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Cleveland, TN
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.2K
$15.24$15.24
-61.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.17COPΒ 118.7K
$40.47$40.47
-18.04%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.25COPΒ 25.9K
$10.14$10.14
-28.50%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,137
$4.67$4.67
-63.38%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,915
$1.99$1.99
-45.23%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77COPΒ 2,743
$1.63$1.63
-52.76%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.75COPΒ 6,254
$6.04$6.04
-71.03%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COPΒ 11.4K
$7.05$7.05
-54.89%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Cleveland, TN
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,792
$0.89$0.89
19.10%
White Bread(500g)
$1.30COPΒ 4,657
$2.44$2.44
-46.72%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,926
$2.62$2.62
-47.33%
Eggs
$2.21COPΒ 7,908
$2.44$2.44
-9.43%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.52COPΒ 16.2K
$9.85$9.85
-54.11%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.80COPΒ 20.7K
$7.74$7.74
-25.06%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COPΒ 32.1K
$11.70$11.70
-23.33%
Apples(1kg)
$2.29COPΒ 8,182
$5.18$5.18
-55.79%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,791
$1.67$1.67
-36.53%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.51COPΒ 5,411
$3.63$3.63
-58.40%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COPΒ 4,869
$4.01$4.01
-66.08%
Potato(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,146
$3.15$3.15
-63.17%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,174
$1.93$1.93
-39.38%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.83COPΒ 2,960
$2.21$2.21
-62.44%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85COPΒ 3,043
$1.52$1.52
-44.08%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.35COPΒ 8,423
$5.68$5.68
-58.63%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.09COPΒ 39.7K
$13.82$13.82
-19.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.15COPΒ 4,133
$1.72$1.72
-33.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,853
$4.76$4.76
-48.11%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Cleveland, TN
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,827
$1.95$1.95
-59.49%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.85COPΒ 149.8K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,140
$5.06$5.06
-71.54%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,793
$1.53$1.53
24.18%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.70COPΒ 27.6K
$17.77$17.77
-56.67%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.03COPΒ 3,680
$0.79$0.79
30.38%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.7KCOPΒ 63.3M
$25.9K$25.9K
-31.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.0KCOPΒ 96.7M
$26.7K$26.7K
1.33%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Cleveland, TN
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.4COPΒ 291.4K
$183$183
-55.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.42COPΒ 33.7K
$51.4$51.4
-81.67%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.77COPΒ 85.1K
$66.1$66.1
-64.06%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Cleveland, TN
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.86COPΒ 92.6K
$43.56$43.56
-40.63%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.34COPΒ 69.2K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.05COPΒ 14.5K
$9.47$9.47
-57.23%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Cleveland, TN
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$1,004$1,004
-68.89%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,067COPΒ 21.7M
$8,356$8,356
-27.40%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Cleveland, TN
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.9COPΒ 210.7K
$42.82$42.82
37.46%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.82COPΒ 117.5K
$36.43$36.43
-9.91%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$100COPΒ 359.6K
$82.2$82.2
22.18%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106COPΒ 380.3K
$94.7$94.7
12.21%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Cleveland, TN
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$490COPΒ 1.8M
$1,619$1,619
-69.76%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$371COPΒ 1.3M
$1,230$1,230
-69.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$2,779$2,779
-69.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$715COPΒ 2.6M
$2,451$2,451
-70.83%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,952COPΒ 10.6M
$2,238$2,238
31.93%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,394COPΒ 5.0M
$2,254$2,254
-38.16%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Cleveland, TN
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$532COPΒ 1.9M
$3,704$3,704
-85.64%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6
123.83%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 20, 2026
Last update for Cleveland, TN: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $490 in Medellin and $1,619 in Cleveland, TN. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Cleveland, TN pays 596% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $33 in Medellin vs $40 in Cleveland, TN for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $313 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 Cleveland, TN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Cleveland, TN?
Medellin wins on cost β living expenses run 124% lower than in Cleveland, TN. 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 Cleveland, TN?
On paper, Cleveland, TN earns 596% 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 Cleveland, TN?
Rent for a central apartment: $490 in Medellin versus $1,619 in Cleveland, TN. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Medellin or Cleveland, TN?
Supermarket bills run roughly 65% higher in Cleveland, TN. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Medellin compared to Cleveland, TN?
All in, you'll spend $1,030 per month in Medellin versus $2,304 in Cleveland, TN β a 124% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Medellin or Cleveland, TN?
At $1,030 in Medellin versus $2,304 in Cleveland, TN, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Cleveland, TN. 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 Cleveland, TN?
Both work as nomad bases, but Medellin delivers better value β similar infrastructure at $1,030 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 Cleveland, TN?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Cleveland, TN 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 β expenses run 124% less than in Cleveland, TN. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.