🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,018 in Medellin versus $2,383 in Goldsboro, NC.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,609 in Medellin versus $3,409 in Goldsboro, NC.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,200 in Medellin versus $4,435 in Goldsboro, NC.
🌍Living in Medellin costs roughly 57% less than in Goldsboro, NC, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 24% below, Goldsboro, NC is 78% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Goldsboro, NC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.93COP 19.0K
$13.80$13.80
-57.03%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.12COP 106.0K
$47.22$47.22
-29.86%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.12COP 22.8K
$9.32$9.32
-23.61%
Cappuccino
$1.71COP 5,457
$4.63$4.63
-63.07%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05COP 3,356
$1.95$1.95
-46.15%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COP 2,311
$1.54$1.54
-53.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,502
$3.66$3.66
-53.01%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.17COP 10.2K
$5.53$5.53
-42.68%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Goldsboro, NC
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COP 3,408
$0.94$0.94
12.77%
White Bread(500g)
$1.31COP 4,192
$3.62$3.62
-63.81%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.33COP 4,256
$3.05$3.05
-56.39%
Eggs
$2.28COP 7,298
$3.65$3.65
-37.53%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.42COP 14.1K
$13.68$13.68
-67.69%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.92COP 18.9K
$8.36$8.36
-29.19%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.64COP 27.7K
$13.98$13.98
-38.20%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COP 7,504
$4.02$4.02
-41.79%
Banana(1kg)
$1.10COP 3,527
$2.23$2.23
-50.67%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.47COP 4,698
$3.59$3.59
-59.05%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,415
$3.93$3.93
-64.89%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,754
$2.35$2.35
-50.21%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,744
$2.89$2.89
-59.52%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90COP 2,890
$1.87$1.87
-51.87%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COP 2,693
$2.14$2.14
-60.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COP 7,449
$6.62$6.62
-64.80%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.92COP 38.1K
$14.28$14.28
-16.53%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.15COP 3,673
$1.61$1.61
-28.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42COP 7,749
$4.12$4.12
-41.26%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Goldsboro, NC
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COP 2,687
$1.99$1.99
-57.79%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.83COP 130.7K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COP 4,517
$1.95$1.95
-27.69%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COP 6,127
$1.52$1.52
25.66%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.83COP 25.0K
$18.15$18.15
-56.86%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COP 3,020
$0.69$0.69
36.23%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.8KCOP 57.0M
$29.6K$29.6K
-39.89%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.1KCOP 86.7M
$25.4K$25.4K
6.77%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Goldsboro, NC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.3COP 266.4K
$148$148
-43.83%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.66COP 30.9K
$75.5$75.5
-87.20%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.22COP 77.5K
$72.9$72.9
-66.76%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Goldsboro, NC
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.22COP 80.7K
$43.27$43.27
-41.71%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.33COP 61.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.07COP 13.0K
$14.77$14.77
-72.44%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Goldsboro, NC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$307COP 981.2K
$907$907
-66.19%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,981COP 19.1M
$25.4K$25.4K
-76.44%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Goldsboro, NC
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0COP 191.9K
$29.77$29.77
101.38%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.65COP 104.5K
$39.71$39.71
-17.78%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101COP 323.5K
$62.8$62.8
61.06%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COP 345.7K
$73.6$73.6
46.76%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Goldsboro, NC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COP 1.5M
$1,570$1,570
-69.68%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COP 1.2M
$1,371$1,371
-72.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$816COP 2.6M
$2,616$2,616
-68.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$707COP 2.3M
$2,231$2,231
-68.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,190COP 10.2M
$1,767$1,767
80.49%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,446COP 4.6M
$1,768$1,768
-18.19%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Goldsboro, NC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$622COP 2.0M
$4,637$4,637
-86.59%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.59
103.79%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 20, 2026
Last update for Goldsboro, NC: July 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $476 in Medellin and $1,570 in Goldsboro, NC. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Goldsboro, NC pays 646% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $47.00 in Goldsboro, NC for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $192 vs $356 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 Goldsboro, NC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Goldsboro, NC cheaper than Medellin?
Medellin is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 134% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Medellin or Goldsboro, NC?
On paper, salaries run 646% lower in Goldsboro, NC. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Medellin and Goldsboro, NC?
Rent for a central apartment: $476 in Medellin versus $1,570 in Goldsboro, NC. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and in Goldsboro, NC?
Supermarket bills run roughly 85% higher in Goldsboro, NC. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin and in Goldsboro, NC?
All in, you'll spend $1,018 per month in Medellin versus $2,383 in Goldsboro, NC – a 134% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Goldsboro, NC?
At $1,018 in Medellin versus $2,383 in Goldsboro, NC, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Goldsboro, NC. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or Goldsboro, NC more family-friendly?
For families, Medellin is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Goldsboro, NC, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 134% less than in Goldsboro, NC. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.