🙂A single person spends $1,681 per month in Medellin vs $2,437 in Jackson, MS, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $2,445 per month in Medellin vs $3,541 in Jackson, MS, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $3,210 per month in Medellin vs $4,644 in Jackson, MS, rent included.
🙂Medellin is about 31% cheaper than Jackson, MS, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
📊Both Medellin and Jackson, MS sit above the global median – Medellin by 23%, Jackson, MS by 78%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Jackson, MS
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.02COP 25.3K
$17.44$17.44
-54.01%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.87COP 151.0K
$59.4$59.4
-19.40%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.89COP 31.2K
$9.24$9.24
7.03%
Cappuccino
$3.13COP 9,873
$4.33$4.33
-27.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.91COP 6,019
$1.65$1.65
15.76%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51COP 4,763
$1.66$1.66
-9.04%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.12COP 9,853
$3.89$3.89
-19.79%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.75COP 18.1K
$3.93$3.93
46.31%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Jackson, MS
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.44COP 4,558
$1.00$1.00
44.00%
White Bread(500g)
$2.49COP 7,843
$3.03$3.03
-17.82%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.77COP 5,595
$3.97$3.97
-55.42%
Eggs
$2.96COP 9,336
$3.84$3.84
-22.92%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.07COP 31.8K
$8.21$8.21
22.66%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.12COP 31.9K
$13.49$13.49
-24.98%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.30COP 45.1K
$6.83$6.83
109.37%
Apples(1kg)
$4.14COP 13.0K
$5.58$5.58
-25.81%
Banana(1kg)
$1.61COP 5,073
$1.10$1.10
46.36%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.25COP 7,083
$1.47$1.47
53.06%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.25COP 7,104
$5.02$5.02
-55.18%
Potato(1kg)
$2.04COP 6,444
$3.17$3.17
-35.65%
Onion(1kg)
$1.54COP 4,842
$1.97$1.97
-21.83%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.17COP 3,691
$1.52$1.52
-23.03%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.31COP 4,121
$2.57$2.57
-49.03%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.90COP 12.3K
$8.12$8.12
-51.97%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.01COP 44.2K
$12.74$12.74
9.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.74COP 5,498
$1.69$1.69
2.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87COP 9,053
$1.61$1.61
78.26%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Jackson, MS
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.22COP 3,834
$4.04$4.04
-69.80%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$80.5COP 253.9K
$126$126
-35.95%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.31COP 4,129
$1.96$1.96
-33.16%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.19COP 6,899
$1.36$1.36
61.03%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.71COP 27.5K
$18.95$18.95
-54.04%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.37COP 4,306
$0.92$0.92
48.91%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.8KCOP 87.8M
$36.0K$36.0K
-22.68%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.8KCOP 112.8M
$27.4K$27.4K
30.78%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Jackson, MS
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$177COP 559.3K
$187$187
-5.09%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.88COP 43.8K
$69.4$69.4
-80.01%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.72COP 93.8K
$72.9$72.9
-59.22%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Jackson, MS
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.88COP 141.6K
$64.9$64.9
-30.82%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.12COP 54.0K
$15.72$15.72
8.91%
Cinema Ticket
$6.65COP 21.0K
$13.26$13.26
-49.85%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Jackson, MS
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$813COP 2.6M
$601$601
35.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,187COP 29.0M
$25.0K$25.0K
-63.32%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Jackson, MS
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$89.5COP 282.3K
$46.77$46.77
91.34%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.0COP 186.0K
$22.73$22.73
159.44%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$138COP 435.9K
$80.7$80.7
71.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$102COP 322.1K
$114$114
-10.22%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Jackson, MS
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,062COP 3.3M
$972$972
9.21%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$663COP 2.1M
$1,164$1,164
-43.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,888COP 6.0M
$2,254$2,254
-16.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,027COP 3.2M
$1,898$1,898
-45.89%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,183COP 13.2M
$1,541$1,541
171.51%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,675COP 5.3M
$1,585$1,585
5.64%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Jackson, MS
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$678COP 2.1M
$2,741$2,741
-75.27%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.94
6.11
79.05%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: September 14, 2026
Last update for Jackson, MS: September 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,062 in Medellin versus $972 in Jackson, MS. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 304% higher in Jackson, MS, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $48.00 in Medellin versus $59.0 in Jackson, MS. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $305 vs $337 – 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 Jackson, MS: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Jackson, MS?
Jackson, MS costs about 45% more than Medellin, with the gap driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet. 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 Jackson, MS?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,521 per month in Medellin and $3,656 in Jackson, MS. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Medellin or Jackson, MS?
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 do childcare costs compare in Medellin and in Jackson, MS?
Kindergarten costs $813 per month in Medellin and $601 in Jackson, MS. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Medellin or in Jackson, MS?
Groceries cost about 11% more in Jackson, MS, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $2,500/month in Medellin or in Jackson, MS?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,681, than in Jackson, MS at $2,437. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Jackson, MS it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Jackson, MS?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Medellin costs $1,681 versus $2,437 in Jackson, MS. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Medellin compared to Jackson, MS?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Medellin or to Jackson, MS?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Jackson, MS makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.