πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,030 in Medellin versus $2,584 in Dickinson, ND.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,586 in Medellin versus $3,794 in Dickinson, ND.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,143 in Medellin versus $5,003 in Dickinson, ND.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 60% less than in Dickinson, ND, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 23% below, Dickinson, ND is 93% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Dickinson, ND
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.2K
$19.19$19.19
-69.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.17COPΒ 118.7K
$76.2$76.2
-56.45%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.25COPΒ 25.9K
$10.87$10.87
-33.30%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,137
$4.98$4.98
-65.66%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,915
$2.56$2.56
-57.42%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77COPΒ 2,743
$2.04$2.04
-62.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.75COPΒ 6,254
$6.15$6.15
-71.54%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COPΒ 11.4K
$6.90$6.90
-53.91%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Dickinson, ND
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,792
$1.03$1.03
2.91%
White Bread(500g)
$1.30COPΒ 4,657
$3.42$3.42
-61.99%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,926
$2.87$2.87
-51.92%
Eggs
$2.21COPΒ 7,908
$4.13$4.13
-46.49%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.52COPΒ 16.2K
$12.14$12.14
-62.77%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.80COPΒ 20.7K
$11.49$11.49
-49.52%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COPΒ 32.1K
$15.46$15.46
-41.98%
Apples(1kg)
$2.29COPΒ 8,182
$5.03$5.03
-54.47%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,791
$1.57$1.57
-32.48%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.51COPΒ 5,411
$2.53$2.53
-40.32%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COPΒ 4,869
$4.68$4.68
-70.94%
Potato(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,146
$2.78$2.78
-58.27%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,174
$2.83$2.83
-58.66%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.83COPΒ 2,960
$2.04$2.04
-59.31%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85COPΒ 3,043
$2.20$2.20
-61.36%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.35COPΒ 8,423
$9.63$9.63
-75.60%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.09COPΒ 39.7K
$14.86$14.86
-25.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.15COPΒ 4,133
$1.84$1.84
-37.50%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,853
$3.42$3.42
-27.78%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Dickinson, ND
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,827
$2.01$2.01
-60.70%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.85COPΒ 149.8K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,140
$3.49$3.49
-58.74%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,793
$1.65$1.65
15.15%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.70COPΒ 27.6K
$28.69$28.69
-73.16%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.03COPΒ 3,680
$0.85$0.85
21.18%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.7KCOPΒ 63.3M
$29.3K$29.3K
-39.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.0KCOPΒ 96.7M
$25.7K$25.7K
5.06%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Dickinson, ND
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.4COPΒ 291.4K
$191$191
-57.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.42COPΒ 33.7K
$52.0$52.0
-81.90%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.77COPΒ 85.1K
$68.1$68.1
-65.09%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Dickinson, ND
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.86COPΒ 92.6K
$42.16$42.16
-38.66%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.34COPΒ 69.2K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.05COPΒ 14.5K
$13.29$13.29
-69.53%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Dickinson, ND
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$1,294$1,294
-75.86%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,067COPΒ 21.7M
$23.9K$23.9K
-74.59%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Dickinson, ND
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.9COPΒ 210.7K
$51.3$51.3
14.78%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.82COPΒ 117.5K
$39.22$39.22
-16.32%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$100COPΒ 359.6K
$86.4$86.4
16.23%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106COPΒ 380.3K
$111$111
-4.03%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Dickinson, ND
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$490COPΒ 1.8M
$1,575$1,575
-68.92%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$371COPΒ 1.3M
$1,337$1,337
-72.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$2,589$2,589
-67.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$715COPΒ 2.6M
$2,237$2,237
-68.04%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,952COPΒ 10.6M
$1,628$1,628
81.36%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,394COPΒ 5.0M
$1,610$1,610
-13.40%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Dickinson, ND
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$532COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.51
106.30%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 20, 2026
Last update for Dickinson, ND: April 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $490 in Medellin and $1,575 in Dickinson, ND. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $33 in Medellin vs $76 in Dickinson, ND for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $375 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 Dickinson, ND: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dickinson, ND cheaper than Medellin?
Medellin is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 151% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,544 in Medellin and $3,876 in Dickinson, ND to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Medellin and Dickinson, ND?
Rent for a central apartment: $490 in Medellin versus $1,575 in Dickinson, ND. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Dickinson, ND?
Supermarket bills run roughly 97% higher in Dickinson, ND. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Dickinson, ND?
All in, you'll spend $1,030 per month in Medellin versus $2,584 in Dickinson, ND β a 151% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Dickinson, ND?
At $1,030 in Medellin versus $2,584 in Dickinson, ND, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Dickinson, ND. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or Dickinson, ND more family-friendly?
For families, Medellin is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Dickinson, ND, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Dickinson, ND?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Dickinson, ND 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 151% less than in Dickinson, ND. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.