Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Fayetteville, NC

For one person, living is cheaper in Medellin: $1,692 a month against $2,242 in Fayetteville, NC, rent and utilities included – about $6,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Medellin, Colombia
Fayetteville, NC, United States
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,692
/mo nomad
Fayetteville, NC
🇺🇸 United States
$2,242
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Fayetteville, NC

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 Fayetteville, NC actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,692 per month in Medellin vs $2,242 in Fayetteville, NC, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,692
  • Fayetteville, NC $2,242

A couple spends around $2,471 per month in Medellin vs $3,169 in Fayetteville, NC, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,471
  • Fayetteville, NC $3,169

A family of three spends $3,249 per month in Medellin vs $4,097 in Fayetteville, NC, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,249
  • Fayetteville, NC $4,097

Medellin is about 25% cheaper than Fayetteville, NC, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Medellin and Fayetteville, NC sit above the global median – Medellin by 25%, Fayetteville, NC by 66%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Fayetteville, NC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.34 COP 27.0K
$18.60 $18.60
-55.16%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.53 COP 150.9K
$60.9 $60.9
-23.55%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.47 COP 30.7K
$12.03 $12.03
-21.28%
Cappuccino
$3.13 COP 10.2K
$4.84 $4.84
-35.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.77 COP 5,727
$2.22 $2.22
-20.27%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.42 COP 4,619
$1.69 $1.69
-15.98%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.15 COP 10.2K
$5.15 $5.15
-38.83%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.70 COP 18.5K
$6.31 $6.31
-9.67%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Fayetteville, NC
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.53 COP 4,969
$0.87 $0.87
75.86%
White Bread (500g)
$2.29 COP 7,429
$3.77 $3.77
-39.26%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.94 COP 6,306
$3.29 $3.29
-41.03%
Eggs
$3.07 COP 9,942
$3.73 $3.73
-17.69%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.99 COP 32.4K
$10.26 $10.26
-2.63%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.45 COP 33.9K
$8.63 $8.63
21.09%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.96 COP 45.3K
$16.91 $16.91
-17.45%
Apples (1kg)
$4.05 COP 13.1K
$4.04 $4.04
0.25%
Banana (1kg)
$1.53 COP 4,956
$2.25 $2.25
-32.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.10 COP 6,823
$4.03 $4.03
-47.89%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.29 COP 7,437
$4.47 $4.47
-48.77%
Potato (1kg)
$2.11 COP 6,839
$2.34 $2.34
-9.83%
Onion (1kg)
$1.71 COP 5,542
$3.20 $3.20
-46.56%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.17 COP 3,794
$1.80 $1.80
-35.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.58 COP 5,123
$2.04 $2.04
-22.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.91 COP 12.7K
$8.70 $8.70
-55.06%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.04 COP 45.5K
$12.35 $12.35
13.68%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76 COP 5,712
$1.61 $1.61
9.32%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.71 COP 8,793
$3.06 $3.06
-11.44%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Fayetteville, NC
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.18 COP 3,825
$1.27 $1.27
-7.09%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$76.3 COP 247.4K
$40.48 $40.48
88.46%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.81 COP 5,859
$3.70 $3.70
-51.08%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.13 COP 6,904
$1.76 $1.76
21.02%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.13 COP 26.4K
$23.62 $23.62
-65.58%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.28 COP 4,135
$0.99 $0.99
29.29%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.4K COP 111.7M
$27.0K $27.0K
27.50%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.1K COP 110.7M
$26.3K $26.3K
29.76%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Fayetteville, NC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$178 COP 576.3K
$180 $180
-1.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.89 COP 45.0K
$70.6 $70.6
-80.31%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.74 COP 99.7K
$64.0 $64.0
-51.99%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Fayetteville, NC
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.94 COP 136.0K
$17.88 $17.88
134.56%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.80 COP 54.5K
$39.88 $39.88
-57.87%
Cinema Ticket
$7.47 COP 24.2K
$13.10 $13.10
-42.98%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Fayetteville, NC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$790 COP 2.6M
$759 $759
4.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.3K COP 39.9M
$14.6K $14.6K
-15.59%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Fayetteville, NC
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$86.3 COP 279.9K
$50.6 $50.6
70.50%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.3 COP 192.2K
$37.15 $37.15
59.52%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$138 COP 448.6K
$71.2 $71.2
94.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$98.8 COP 320.4K
$117 $117
-15.30%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Fayetteville, NC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,341 COP 4.3M
$1,337 $1,337
0.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$667 COP 2.2M
$1,048 $1,048
-36.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,976 COP 6.4M
$2,252 $2,252
-12.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,033 COP 3.3M
$1,463 $1,463
-29.40%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,098 COP 13.3M
$1,861 $1,861
120.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,940 COP 6.3M
$1,441 $1,441
34.60%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Fayetteville, NC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$646 COP 2.1M
$3,053 $3,053
-78.83%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
6.36
72.01%

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

Last update for Medellin: November 2, 2026

Last update for Fayetteville, NC: October 31, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$667
Fayetteville, NC
$1K 57.1% $381
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$307
Fayetteville, NC
$355 15.6% $48
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$222
Fayetteville, NC
$315 41.5% $92
Eating Out
Medellin
$173
Fayetteville, NC
$297 72.1% $124
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$172
Fayetteville, NC
$124 28% $48
Getting Around
Medellin
$93
Fayetteville, NC
$58 37.9% $35
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$57
Fayetteville, NC
$44 22.5% $13

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,341 in Medellin versus $1,337 in Fayetteville, NC. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Fayetteville, NC are about 4.7 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin versus $61 in Fayetteville, NC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $307 vs $355 – making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇺🇸 Fayetteville, NC
🕒 Local time
19:22 7:22 PM
19:22 7:22 PM
Same time as Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
93,949
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of November 5, 2026: 1 USD = 3,242 COP (10,000 COP = 3.08 USD). 1 EUR = 3,650 COP (10,000 COP = 2.74 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 5, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.13 USD (1 USD = 0.888 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Fayetteville, NC 3,220 km ≈ 4 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Fayetteville, NC

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 Fayetteville, NC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Fayetteville, NC?
Fayetteville, NC costs about 32% more than Medellin, 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 Fayetteville, NC?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,538 per month in Medellin and $3,362 in Fayetteville, NC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Medellin compared to Fayetteville, NC?
A central 1-bedroom goes for about $1,341 in Medellin and $1,337 in Fayetteville, NC. The gap holds across neighborhoods – outer areas show a similar spread, just at lower price points.
Are groceries more expensive in Medellin or in Fayetteville, NC?
Groceries cost about 16% more in Fayetteville, NC, though the gap depends on what you buy.
How do dining costs compare in Medellin and in Fayetteville, NC?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin and $61 in Fayetteville, NC. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Can you live on $2,500/month in Medellin or in Fayetteville, NC?
$2,500 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $1,692 in Medellin and $2,242 in Fayetteville, NC, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Medellin or Fayetteville, NC?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,692 in Medellin to $2,242 in Fayetteville, NC. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Should I move to Medellin or to Fayetteville, NC?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Fayetteville, NC makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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