Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Jackson, TN Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Jackson, TN

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,031 per month in Medellin vs $1,951 in Jackson, TN, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,599 per month in Medellin vs $2,920 in Jackson, TN, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,167 per month in Medellin vs $3,890 in Jackson, TN, rent included.

Medellin is about 47% cheaper than Jackson, TN, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Medellin sits 23% below the global median, while Jackson, TN is 46% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Jackson, TN
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.16 COP 20.0K
$16.78 $16.78
-63.29%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.60 COP 106.0K
$40.51 $40.51
-19.53%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.34 COP 23.9K
$10.13 $10.13
-27.54%
Cappuccino
$1.72 COP 5,592
$4.44 $4.44
-61.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05 COP 3,416
$2.31 $2.31
-54.55%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77 COP 2,511
$1.97 $1.97
-60.91%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.69 COP 5,480
$4.07 $4.07
-58.48%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.17 COP 10.3K
$7.09 $7.09
-55.29%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Jackson, TN
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.05 COP 3,418
$0.96 $0.96
9.38%
White Bread (500g)
$1.30 COP 4,230
$2.82 $2.82
-53.90%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.40 COP 4,538
$2.71 $2.71
-48.34%
Eggs
$2.16 COP 7,037
$4.33 $4.33
-50.12%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.39 COP 14.3K
$11.40 $11.40
-61.49%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.88 COP 19.1K
$12.04 $12.04
-51.16%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.64 COP 28.1K
$15.68 $15.68
-44.90%
Apples (1kg)
$2.28 COP 7,415
$5.64 $5.64
-59.57%
Banana (1kg)
$1.11 COP 3,599
$1.65 $1.65
-32.73%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.53 COP 4,976
$2.94 $2.94
-47.96%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.35 COP 4,405
$4.38 $4.38
-69.18%
Potato (1kg)
$1.13 COP 3,669
$1.63 $1.63
-30.67%
Onion (1kg)
$1.13 COP 3,687
$2.27 $2.27
-50.22%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.85 COP 2,749
$1.89 $1.89
-55.03%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91 COP 2,971
$1.51 $1.51
-39.74%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.34 COP 7,619
$8.23 $8.23
-71.57%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.37 COP 40.2K
$13.12 $13.12
-5.72%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20 COP 3,904
$1.64 $1.64
-26.83%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49 COP 8,094
$2.01 $2.01
23.88%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Jackson, TN
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.84 COP 2,724
$1.28 $1.28
-34.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$40.57 COP 131.9K
$34.31 $34.31
18.25%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.42 COP 4,617
$2.02 $2.02
-29.70%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.92 COP 6,227
$1.21 $1.21
58.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.66 COP 24.9K
$19.84 $19.84
-61.39%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.99 COP 3,219
$0.75 $0.75
32.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.0K COP 58.6M
$35.2K $35.2K
-48.73%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.6K COP 86.6M
$25.0K $25.0K
6.72%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Jackson, TN
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$80.8 COP 262.7K
$203 $203
-60.23%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.95 COP 32.3K
$51.2 $51.2
-80.58%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.18 COP 78.6K
$67.5 $67.5
-64.18%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Jackson, TN
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$25.08 COP 81.5K
$39.77 $39.77
-36.94%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.15 COP 62.3K
$49.88 $49.88
-61.61%
Cinema Ticket
$3.98 COP 13.0K
$9.38 $9.38
-57.57%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Jackson, TN
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$305 COP 992.2K
$998 $998
-69.42%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,059 COP 19.7M
$8,275 $8,275
-26.78%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Jackson, TN
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.1 COP 189.0K
$46.47 $46.47
25.09%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.20 COP 104.7K
$35.74 $35.74
-9.90%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$101 COP 327.5K
$83.4 $83.4
20.85%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108 COP 350.3K
$98.6 $98.6
9.26%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Jackson, TN
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$477 COP 1.5M
$1,062 $1,062
-55.13%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$376 COP 1.2M
$796 $796
-52.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$845 COP 2.7M
$1,684 $1,684
-49.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$730 COP 2.4M
$1,443 $1,443
-49.38%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,215 COP 10.5M
$1,679 $1,679
91.51%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,372 COP 4.5M
$1,711 $1,711
-19.77%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Jackson, TN
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$617 COP 2.0M
$4,083 $4,083
-84.89%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.43
5.75
133.57%

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

Last update for Medellin: July 12, 2026

Last update for Jackson, TN: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $477 in Medellin versus $1,062 in Jackson, TN. 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 562% higher in Jackson, TN, 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 $33.00 in Medellin versus $41.00 in Jackson, TN. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $193 vs $353 – 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, TN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and in Jackson, TN compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,031 in Medellin, $1,951 in Jackson, TN – roughly 89% apart. Jackson, TN costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Jackson, TN?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,546 per month in Medellin and $2,926 in Jackson, TN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and Jackson, TN?
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.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 83% more in Jackson, TN, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin and $41.00 in Jackson, TN. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,031, than in Jackson, TN at $1,951. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Jackson, TN it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Jackson, TN?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,031 in Medellin to $1,951 in Jackson, TN. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Medellin or Jackson, TN safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Medellin and Jackson, TN?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Jackson, TN makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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