Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and East Rutherford, NJ Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and East Rutherford, NJ

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,555 per month in Medellin vs $2,295 in East Rutherford, NJ, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,314 per month in Medellin vs $3,872 in East Rutherford, NJ, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,072 per month in Medellin vs $5,449 in East Rutherford, NJ, rent included.

Medellin is about 32% cheaper than East Rutherford, NJ, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Medellin and East Rutherford, NJ sit above the global median – Medellin by 15%, East Rutherford, NJ by 70%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.59 COP 25.0K

$21.58 $21.58

-64.83%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$44.78 COP 147.4K

$99.6 $99.6

-55.02%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.24 COP 30.4K

$11.11 $11.11

-16.83%

Cappuccino

$2.95 COP 9,703

$5.25 $5.25

-43.81%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.80 COP 5,929

$2.14 $2.14

-15.89%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.35 COP 4,443

$1.97 $1.97

-31.47%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.93 COP 9,655

$6.12 $6.12

-52.12%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.46 COP 18.0K

$8.16 $8.16

-33.09%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.43 COP 4,718

$1.34 $1.34

6.72%

White Bread (500g)

$2.39 COP 7,875

$4.37 $4.37

-45.31%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.60 COP 5,270

$7.57 $7.57

-78.86%

Eggs

$2.88 COP 9,474

$5.16 $5.16

-44.19%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.71 COP 32.0K

$11.97 $11.97

-18.88%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.44 COP 31.1K

$11.64 $11.64

-18.90%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.24 COP 43.6K

$17.22 $17.22

-23.11%

Apples (1kg)

$3.75 COP 12.4K

$5.49 $5.49

-31.69%

Banana (1kg)

$1.45 COP 4,758

$1.62 $1.62

-10.49%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.10 COP 6,909

$5.19 $5.19

-59.54%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.13 COP 7,011

$4.92 $4.92

-56.71%

Potato (1kg)

$1.92 COP 6,332

$2.84 $2.84

-32.39%

Onion (1kg)

$1.53 COP 5,042

$3.07 $3.07

-50.16%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.09 COP 3,590

$2.40 $2.40

-54.58%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.18 COP 3,888

$2.36 $2.36

-50.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.79 COP 12.5K

$12.96 $12.96

-70.76%

Wine (Bottle)

$13.16 COP 43.3K

$23.70 $23.70

-44.47%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.64 COP 5,400

$1.76 $1.76

-6.82%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.28 COP 7,497

$4.38 $4.38

-47.95%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.18 COP 3,870

$1.95 $1.95

-39.49%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$73.6 COP 242.3K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.28 COP 4,205

$2.74 $2.74

-53.28%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.98 COP 6,509

$1.53 $1.53

29.41%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.89 COP 26.0K

$23.84 $23.84

-66.90%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 COP 4,260

$1.07 $1.07

20.56%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$26.8K COP 88.2M

$36.8K $36.8K

-27.31%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$34.7K COP 114.2M

$25.7K $25.7K

34.87%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$158 COP 519.6K

$212 $212

-25.63%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$13.39 COP 44.1K

$63.2 $63.2

-78.83%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$27.28 COP 89.8K

$66.5 $66.5

-58.98%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.15 COP 145.4K

$42.23 $42.23

4.55%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.99 COP 52.6K

Cinema Ticket

$6.39 COP 21.0K

$15.26 $15.26

-58.13%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$777 COP 2.6M

$2,203 $2,203

-64.76%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,800 COP 29.0M

$23.8K $23.8K

-62.98%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$82.7 COP 272.4K

$40.73 $40.73

103.09%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.1 COP 184.8K

$46.30 $46.30

21.19%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$131 COP 430.7K

$75.5 $75.5

73.28%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$95.9 COP 315.7K

$154 $154

-37.75%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,006 COP 3.3M

$1,112 $1,112

-9.53%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$627 COP 2.1M

$965 $965

-35.06%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,826 COP 6.0M

$2,834 $2,834

-35.58%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$969 COP 3.2M

$2,280 $2,280

-57.52%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,907 COP 12.9M

$2,730 $2,730

43.10%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,576 COP 5.2M

$2,341 $2,341

-32.68%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$620 COP 2.0M

$5,116 $5,116

-87.88%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.94

6.22

75.88%

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

Last update for Medellin: September 28, 2026

Last update for East Rutherford, NJ: September 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,006 in Medellin versus $1,112 in East Rutherford, NJ. 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 725% higher in East Rutherford, NJ, 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 $45.00 in Medellin versus $100 in East Rutherford, NJ. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $285 vs $454 – making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 East Rutherford, NJ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

East Rutherford, NJ costs about 48% more than Medellin, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,333 per month in Medellin and $3,443 in East Rutherford, NJ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $45.00 in Medellin and $100 in East Rutherford, NJ. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 59% more in East Rutherford, NJ, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,555, than in East Rutherford, NJ at $2,295. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in East Rutherford, NJ it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Medellin costs $1,555 versus $2,295 in East Rutherford, NJ. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, East Rutherford, NJ makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.