Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Idaho Falls, ID

For one person, living is cheaper in Medellin: $1,639 a month against $2,315 in Idaho Falls, ID, rent and utilities included – about $8,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Medellin, Colombia
Idaho Falls, ID, United States
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,639
/mo nomad
Idaho Falls, ID
🇺🇸 United States
$2,315
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Idaho Falls, ID

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 Idaho Falls, ID actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,639 per month in Medellin vs $2,315 in Idaho Falls, ID, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,639
  • Idaho Falls, ID $2,315

A couple spends around $2,413 per month in Medellin vs $3,380 in Idaho Falls, ID, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,413
  • Idaho Falls, ID $3,380

A family of three spends $3,186 per month in Medellin vs $4,446 in Idaho Falls, ID, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,186
  • Idaho Falls, ID $4,446

Medellin is about 29% cheaper than Idaho Falls, ID, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Medellin and Idaho Falls, ID sit above the global median – Medellin by 20%, Idaho Falls, ID by 70%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Idaho Falls, ID
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.09 COP 25.4K
$17.72 $17.72
-54.35%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.05 COP 148.0K
$51.9 $51.9
-9.38%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.50 COP 29.9K
$10.09 $10.09
-5.85%
Cappuccino
$3.01 COP 9,485
$5.02 $5.02
-40.04%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80 COP 5,660
$2.27 $2.27
-20.70%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.41 COP 4,443
$1.55 $1.55
-9.03%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.18 COP 9,990
$4.11 $4.11
-22.63%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.75 COP 18.1K
$7.10 $7.10
-19.01%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Idaho Falls, ID
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.51 COP 4,751
$0.72 $0.72
109.72%
White Bread (500g)
$2.38 COP 7,480
$3.92 $3.92
-39.29%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.77 COP 5,573
$2.97 $2.97
-40.40%
Eggs
$2.89 COP 9,093
$4.12 $4.12
-29.85%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.19 COP 32.1K
$11.68 $11.68
-12.76%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.87 COP 31.1K
$6.41 $6.41
53.98%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.99 COP 44.0K
$9.79 $9.79
42.90%
Apples (1kg)
$3.97 COP 12.5K
$2.18 $2.18
82.11%
Banana (1kg)
$1.55 COP 4,883
$1.26 $1.26
23.02%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.18 COP 6,867
$2.07 $2.07
5.31%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.18 COP 6,870
$2.14 $2.14
1.87%
Potato (1kg)
$1.96 COP 6,174
$1.68 $1.68
16.67%
Onion (1kg)
$1.59 COP 5,000
$2.46 $2.46
-35.37%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.15 COP 3,604
$1.86 $1.86
-38.17%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24 COP 3,911
$1.88 $1.88
-34.04%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.96 COP 12.5K
$10.36 $10.36
-61.78%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.68 COP 43.0K
$7.34 $7.34
86.38%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.66 COP 5,221
$1.77 $1.77
-6.21%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26 COP 7,103
$1.53 $1.53
47.71%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Idaho Falls, ID
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.17 COP 3,674
$3.05 $3.05
-61.64%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$77.4 COP 243.4K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.27 COP 3,989
$2.53 $2.53
-49.80%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.05 COP 6,442
$2.35 $2.35
-12.77%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.55 COP 26.9K
$25.09 $25.09
-65.92%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 COP 4,237
$1.11 $1.11
21.62%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.1K COP 107.2M
$34.3K $34.3K
-0.63%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7K COP 109.1M
$26.1K $26.1K
32.60%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Idaho Falls, ID
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$170 COP 533.7K
$173 $173
-1.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.55 COP 42.6K
$52.7 $52.7
-74.30%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.07 COP 88.3K
$63.9 $63.9
-56.06%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Idaho Falls, ID
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.70 COP 137.5K
$38.67 $38.67
13.01%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.19 COP 54.1K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.91 COP 21.7K
$11.42 $11.42
-39.49%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Idaho Falls, ID
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$797 COP 2.5M
$957 $957
-16.77%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,112 COP 28.7M
$20.6K $20.6K
-55.83%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Idaho Falls, ID
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$84.7 COP 266.5K
$41.75 $41.75
102.92%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.0 COP 182.3K
$44.87 $44.87
29.17%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$135 COP 424.6K
$70.2 $70.2
92.25%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$97.9 COP 307.9K
$96.4 $96.4
1.56%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Idaho Falls, ID
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,208 COP 3.8M
$1,323 $1,323
-8.68%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$642 COP 2.0M
$1,266 $1,266
-49.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,028 COP 6.4M
$2,073 $2,073
-2.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,012 COP 3.2M
$2,207 $2,207
-54.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,170 COP 13.1M
$1,923 $1,923
116.83%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,910 COP 6.0M
$1,946 $1,946
-1.81%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Idaho Falls, ID
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$657 COP 2.1M
$3,499 $3,499
-81.22%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
6.12
78.76%

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

Last update for Medellin: October 25, 2026

Last update for Idaho Falls, ID: October 24, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$642
Idaho Falls, ID
$1.3K 97.3% $624
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$297
Idaho Falls, ID
$275 7.3% $22
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$211
Idaho Falls, ID
$289 36.9% $78
Eating Out
Medellin
$170
Idaho Falls, ID
$282 66.4% $113
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$169
Idaho Falls, ID
$114 32.6% $55
Getting Around
Medellin
$94
Idaho Falls, ID
$26 * 71.7% $67
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$58
Idaho Falls, ID
$62 6.9% $4

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

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,208 in Medellin versus $1,323 in Idaho Falls, ID. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Idaho Falls, ID are about 5.3 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin versus $52 in Idaho Falls, ID. Groceries tell a different story – $297 in Medellin vs $275 in Idaho Falls, ID – so Idaho Falls, ID wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇺🇸 Idaho Falls, ID
🕒 Local time
15:51 3:51 PM
14:51 2:51 PM
1 h behind Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
61,459
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 3,146 COP (10,000 COP = 3.18 USD). 1 EUR = 3,502 COP (10,000 COP = 2.86 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.11 USD (1 USD = 0.898 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Idaho Falls, ID 5,450 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Idaho Falls, ID

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 Idaho Falls, ID: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Idaho Falls, ID?
Yes – Idaho Falls, ID is pricier by about 41%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in eating out.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,459 per month in Medellin and $3,472 in Idaho Falls, ID. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
What is the rent difference between Medellin and Idaho Falls, ID?
A central 1-bedroom goes for about $1,208 in Medellin and $1,323 in Idaho Falls, ID. The gap holds across neighborhoods – outer areas show a similar spread, just at lower price points.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin and in Idaho Falls, ID?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,639 in Medellin and $2,315 in Idaho Falls, ID. That makes Medellin about 29% cheaper.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $797 per month in Medellin and $957 in Idaho Falls, ID. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is Medellin or Idaho Falls, ID more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Medellin – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Idaho Falls, ID makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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