πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $2,546 in Hilton, NY, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $3,703 in Hilton, NY, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $4,859 in Hilton, NY, rent included.
πMedellin is about 60% cheaper than Hilton, NY, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πMedellin sits 24% below the global median, while Hilton, NY is 89% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Hilton, NY
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 21.2K
$19.06$19.06
-68.78%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 118.9K
$76.2$76.2
-56.26%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.8K
$10.81$10.81
-33.12%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,811
$4.87$4.87
-66.53%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,904
$1.66$1.66
-34.34%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,604
$2.01$2.01
-63.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,197
$5.86$5.86
-70.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.5K
$6.87$6.87
-52.98%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Hilton, NY
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,742
$1.00$1.00
5.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,614
$3.49$3.49
-63.04%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,718
$4.48$4.48
-70.54%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 8,101
$4.08$4.08
-44.36%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.5K
$12.02$12.02
-63.81%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 21.0K
$11.61$11.61
-49.35%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.7K
$15.71$15.71
-45.19%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 8,015
$4.94$4.94
-54.45%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,814
$1.58$1.58
-32.28%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,438
$4.22$4.22
-63.98%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 5,073
$4.77$4.77
-70.23%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,173
$2.90$2.90
-59.66%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,166
$2.79$2.79
-58.06%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,163
$2.02$2.02
-55.94%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,215
$2.20$2.20
-59.09%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 8,008
$9.86$9.86
-77.18%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 39.4K
$16.87$16.87
-34.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 4,063
$1.76$1.76
-35.23%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,483
$3.31$3.31
-28.10%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Hilton, NY
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,979
$2.02$2.02
-58.42%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 149.6K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 5,019
$3.41$3.41
-58.65%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,779
$1.58$1.58
20.25%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.6K
$29.30$29.30
-73.55%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,586
$0.84$0.84
20.24%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 62.7M
$29.1K$29.1K
-39.63%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.5M
$25.9K$25.9K
2.24%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Hilton, NY
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 298.4K
$187$187
-55.20%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.7K
$52.2$52.2
-81.88%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 86.0K
$66.7$66.7
-63.87%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Hilton, NY
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 90.3K
$42.87$42.87
-40.96%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 68.3K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.6K
$13.66$13.66
-69.99%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Hilton, NY
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$1,302$1,302
-76.04%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 21.4M
$23.9K$23.9K
-74.89%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Hilton, NY
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 207.0K
$50.3$50.3
15.46%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 116.1K
$39.61$39.61
-17.80%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 355.3K
$86.1$86.1
15.77%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 387.1K
$112$112
-2.70%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Hilton, NY
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$1,603$1,603
-69.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$1,328$1,328
-71.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 3.0M
$2,679$2,679
-68.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.6M
$2,182$2,182
-66.85%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 10.1M
$2,969$2,969
-4.36%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.4M
$2,287$2,287
-46.52%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Hilton, NY
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 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: June 8, 2026
Last update for Hilton, NY: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $1,603 in Hilton, NY. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $76.0 in Hilton, NY. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $393 β 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 Hilton, NY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Hilton, NY?
Hilton, NY costs about 150% more than Medellin, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 vs Hilton, NY?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,525 per month in Medellin and $3,820 in Hilton, NY. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Medellin or Hilton, NY?
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.
How much does it cost to live in Medellin compared to Hilton, NY?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $2,546 in Hilton, NY. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do childcare costs compare in Medellin and Hilton, NY?
Kindergarten costs $312 per month in Medellin and $1,302 in Hilton, NY. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Medellin or Hilton, NY?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,017, than in Hilton, NY at $2,546. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Hilton, NY it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Hilton, NY?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Medellin costs $1,017 versus $2,546 in Hilton, NY. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Medellin or Hilton, NY?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hilton, NY makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.