Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Emporia, KS

For one person, living costs are similar in Medellin and in Emporia, KS: $1,625 and $1,558 a month, rent and utilities included.

Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,625
/mo nomad
Emporia, KS
🇺🇸 United States
$1,558
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Emporia, KS

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 Emporia, KS actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,625 per month in Medellin vs $1,558 in Emporia, KS, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,625
  • Emporia, KS $1,558

A couple spends around $2,412 per month in Medellin vs $2,497 in Emporia, KS, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,412
  • Emporia, KS $2,497

A family of three spends $3,199 per month in Medellin vs $3,435 in Emporia, KS, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,199
  • Emporia, KS $3,435

Medellin costs about 4% more than Emporia, KS, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Medellin and Emporia, KS sit above the global median – Medellin by 20%, Emporia, KS by 15%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Emporia, KS
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.30 COP 26.3K
$15.83 $15.83
-47.57%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.91 COP 148.7K
$75.6 $75.6
-37.98%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.24 COP 29.3K
$11.90 $11.90
-22.35%
Cappuccino
$3.05 COP 9,676
$4.45 $4.45
-31.46%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80 COP 5,707
$2.33 $2.33
-22.75%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38 COP 4,382
$1.69 $1.69
-18.34%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.24 COP 10.3K
$5.05 $5.05
-35.84%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.56 COP 17.6K
$6.06 $6.06
-8.25%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Emporia, KS
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.50 COP 4,760
$0.88 $0.88
70.45%
White Bread (500g)
$2.37 COP 7,508
$3.30 $3.30
-28.18%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.70 COP 5,377
$1.92 $1.92
-11.46%
Eggs
$2.96 COP 9,379
$2.85 $2.85
3.86%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.22 COP 32.4K
$8.30 $8.30
23.13%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.74 COP 30.9K
$8.45 $8.45
15.27%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.90 COP 44.1K
$14.40 $14.40
-3.47%
Apples (1kg)
$4.13 COP 13.1K
$4.99 $4.99
-17.23%
Banana (1kg)
$1.53 COP 4,839
$1.20 $1.20
27.50%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.22 COP 7,052
$2.84 $2.84
-21.83%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.27 COP 7,194
$2.79 $2.79
-18.64%
Potato (1kg)
$1.99 COP 6,311
$1.64 $1.64
21.34%
Onion (1kg)
$1.67 COP 5,285
$2.76 $2.76
-39.49%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.18 COP 3,742
$1.88 $1.88
-37.23%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24 COP 3,919
$2.32 $2.32
-46.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.87 COP 12.3K
$9.13 $9.13
-57.61%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.78 COP 43.7K
$9.49 $9.49
45.21%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.66 COP 5,256
$1.84 $1.84
-9.78%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.40 COP 7,615
$2.57 $2.57
-6.61%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Emporia, KS
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.24 COP 3,944
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$78.2 COP 248.0K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.28 COP 4,044
$4.91 $4.91
-73.93%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.15 COP 6,803
$1.82 $1.82
18.13%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.37 COP 26.5K
$34.41 $34.41
-75.68%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 COP 4,288
$0.89 $0.89
51.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.8K COP 110.2M
$27.5K $27.5K
26.18%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7K COP 110.0M
$25.8K $25.8K
34.37%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Emporia, KS
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$167 COP 528.4K
$144 $144
15.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.62 COP 43.2K
$46.93 $46.93
-70.98%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.12 COP 92.3K
$49.14 $49.14
-40.74%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Emporia, KS
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.09 COP 143.0K
$44.39 $44.39
1.58%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.18 COP 54.5K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.97 COP 22.1K
$12.43 $12.43
-43.93%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Emporia, KS
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$790 COP 2.5M
$824 $824
-4.13%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,041 COP 28.7M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Emporia, KS
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$87.8 COP 278.4K
$48.75 $48.75
80.10%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.2 COP 184.4K
$25.34 $25.34
129.48%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$139 COP 440.7K
$89.5 $89.5
55.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$98.9 COP 313.5K
$83.4 $83.4
18.62%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Emporia, KS
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,028 COP 3.3M
$685 $685
50.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$620 COP 2.0M
$546 $546
13.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,881 COP 6.0M
$1,752 $1,752
7.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,008 COP 3.2M
$1,108 $1,108
-9.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,988 COP 12.6M
$1,251 $1,251
218.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,702 COP 5.4M
$1,246 $1,246
36.59%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Emporia, KS
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$663 COP 2.1M
$5,551 $5,551
-88.05%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
6.37
71.74%

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

Last update for Medellin: October 19, 2026

Last update for Emporia, KS: October 18, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$619
Emporia, KS
$546 11.9% $74
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$298
Emporia, KS
$308 3.4% $10
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$209
Emporia, KS
$240 14.8% $31
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$173
Emporia, KS
$111 35.7% $62
Eating Out
Medellin
$171
Emporia, KS
$269 57.6% $98
Getting Around
Medellin
$95
Emporia, KS
$14 * 85.3% $81
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$59
Emporia, KS
$69 17.3% $10

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,028 in Medellin versus $685 in Emporia, KS. 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 737% higher in Emporia, KS, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47.00 in Medellin versus $76.0 in Emporia, KS. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $298 vs $308 – making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇺🇸 Emporia, KS
🕒 Local time
05:22 5:22 AM
05:22 5:22 AM
Same time as Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
26,188
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of October 22, 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 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Emporia, KS 4,130 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Emporia, KS

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 Emporia, KS: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Emporia, KS?
Medellin costs about 4% more than Emporia, KS, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Medellin and in Emporia, KS?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,437 per month in Medellin and $2,337 in Emporia, KS. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Medellin or Emporia, KS?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Emporia, KS, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Medellin and in Emporia, KS?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $47.00 in Medellin and $76.0 in Emporia, KS. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Medellin or in Emporia, KS?
Interestingly, groceries are about 3% cheaper in Medellin – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Medellin or in Emporia, KS?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Emporia, KS, where all-in costs run around $1,558, than in Medellin at $1,625. In Emporia, KS it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Emporia, KS?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Emporia, KS costs $1,558 versus $1,625 in Medellin. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Medellin or to Emporia, KS?
If budget matters most, go with Emporia, KS. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Medellin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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