🙂A single person spends $1,003 per month in Medellin vs $2,551 in Hilton, NY, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,573 per month in Medellin vs $3,764 in Hilton, NY, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,143 per month in Medellin vs $4,977 in Hilton, NY, rent included.
🙂Medellin is about 61% cheaper than Hilton, NY, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Medellin sits 25% below the global median, while Hilton, NY is 92% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Hilton, NY
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.91COP 18.9K
$18.80$18.80
-68.56%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.96COP 105.2K
$74.6$74.6
-55.80%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.43COP 23.7K
$10.79$10.79
-31.14%
Cappuccino
$1.65COP 5,276
$4.80$4.80
-65.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,514
$1.66$1.66
-33.73%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COP 2,491
$2.05$2.05
-61.95%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,484
$5.98$5.98
-71.24%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COP 10.1K
$6.91$6.91
-53.98%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Hilton, NY
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10COP 3,521
$1.00$1.00
10.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COP 4,015
$3.54$3.54
-64.41%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,407
$4.33$4.33
-68.13%
Eggs
$2.18COP 6,950
$4.16$4.16
-47.60%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.49COP 14.3K
$12.29$12.29
-63.47%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.79COP 18.5K
$11.45$11.45
-49.43%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COP 28.6K
$15.55$15.55
-42.32%
Apples(1kg)
$2.32COP 7,405
$4.80$4.80
-51.67%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COP 3,397
$1.57$1.57
-32.48%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COP 4,838
$4.27$4.27
-64.40%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COP 4,327
$4.69$4.69
-71.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,599
$2.81$2.81
-59.79%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,738
$2.82$2.82
-58.51%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90COP 2,876
$2.07$2.07
-56.52%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COP 2,861
$2.17$2.17
-58.53%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.23COP 7,128
$9.50$9.50
-76.53%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.12COP 38.7K
$17.22$17.22
-29.62%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 3,793
$1.83$1.83
-34.97%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COP 7,920
$3.30$3.30
-24.85%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Hilton, NY
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.85COP 2,723
$1.95$1.95
-56.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.62COP 132.8K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COP 4,518
$3.58$3.58
-60.34%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.95COP 6,223
$1.67$1.67
16.77%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.89COP 25.2K
$28.65$28.65
-72.46%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,160
$0.89$0.89
11.24%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOP 56.2M
$29.7K$29.7K
-40.83%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 85.5M
$25.7K$25.7K
4.28%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Hilton, NY
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.0COP 264.9K
$186$186
-55.27%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.70COP 30.9K
$53.6$53.6
-81.89%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.52COP 75.0K
$67.3$67.3
-65.03%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Hilton, NY
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.26COP 80.6K
$43.76$43.76
-42.28%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.10COP 60.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.95COP 12.6K
$13.43$13.43
-70.59%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Hilton, NY
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$316COP 1.0M
$1,302$1,302
-75.74%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,975COP 19.1M
$23.5K$23.5K
-74.61%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Hilton, NY
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0COP 191.4K
$51.1$51.1
17.49%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 101.5K
$40.38$40.38
-21.20%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102COP 324.4K
$86.5$86.5
17.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 342.8K
$112$112
-4.03%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Hilton, NY
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$475COP 1.5M
$1,608$1,608
-70.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$374COP 1.2M
$1,342$1,342
-72.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$849COP 2.7M
$2,628$2,628
-67.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$719COP 2.3M
$2,254$2,254
-68.08%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,265COP 10.4M
$2,461$2,461
32.67%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,441COP 4.6M
$2,228$2,228
-35.33%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Hilton, NY
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$624COP 2.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.51
106.30%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Last update for Hilton, NY: July 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $475 in Medellin versus $1,608 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.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $75.0 in Hilton, NY. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $193 vs $393 – 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 154% 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 and in Hilton, NY?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,504 per month in Medellin and $3,826 in Hilton, NY. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – 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 $1,003 in Medellin and $2,551 in Hilton, NY. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do childcare costs compare in Medellin and in Hilton, NY?
Kindergarten costs $316 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 in Hilton, NY?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,003, than in Hilton, NY at $2,551. 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 $1,003 versus $2,551 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 to 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.