🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,003 in Medellin versus $2,614 in Jamestown, ND.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,573 in Medellin versus $3,733 in Jamestown, ND.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,143 in Medellin versus $4,852 in Jamestown, ND.
🌍Living in Medellin costs roughly 62% less than in Jamestown, ND, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 25% below, Jamestown, ND is 96% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Jamestown, ND
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.91COP 18.9K
$19.07$19.07
-69.01%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.96COP 105.2K
$74.1$74.1
-55.49%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.43COP 23.7K
$10.98$10.98
-32.33%
Cappuccino
$1.65COP 5,276
$5.19$5.19
-68.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,514
$2.49$2.49
-55.82%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COP 2,491
$1.97$1.97
-60.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,484
$5.90$5.90
-70.85%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COP 10.1K
$7.10$7.10
-55.21%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Jamestown, ND
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10COP 3,521
$0.79$0.79
39.24%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COP 4,015
$3.47$3.47
-63.69%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,407
$4.42$4.42
-68.78%
Eggs
$2.18COP 6,950
$4.19$4.19
-47.97%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.49COP 14.3K
$12.15$12.15
-63.05%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.79COP 18.5K
$11.29$11.29
-48.72%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COP 28.6K
$15.52$15.52
-42.20%
Apples(1kg)
$2.32COP 7,405
$4.79$4.79
-51.57%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COP 3,397
$1.64$1.64
-35.37%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COP 4,838
$4.24$4.24
-64.15%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COP 4,327
$4.69$4.69
-71.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,599
$2.86$2.86
-60.49%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,738
$2.77$2.77
-57.76%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90COP 2,876
$2.11$2.11
-57.35%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COP 2,861
$2.19$2.19
-58.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.23COP 7,128
$9.55$9.55
-76.65%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.12COP 38.7K
$14.64$14.64
-17.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 3,793
$1.77$1.77
-32.77%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COP 7,920
$3.40$3.40
-27.06%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Jamestown, ND
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.85COP 2,723
$1.96$1.96
-56.63%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.62COP 132.8K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COP 4,518
$3.40$3.40
-58.24%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.95COP 6,223
$1.67$1.67
16.77%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.89COP 25.2K
$28.87$28.87
-72.67%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,160
$0.86$0.86
15.12%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOP 56.2M
$30.1K$30.1K
-41.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 85.5M
$26.1K$26.1K
2.65%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Jamestown, ND
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.0COP 264.9K
$191$191
-56.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.70COP 30.9K
$53.1$53.1
-81.72%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.52COP 75.0K
$68.2$68.2
-65.52%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Jamestown, ND
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.26COP 80.6K
$43.07$43.07
-41.35%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.10COP 60.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.95COP 12.6K
$13.38$13.38
-70.48%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Jamestown, ND
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$316COP 1.0M
$1,313$1,313
-75.94%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,975COP 19.1M
$23.9K$23.9K
-75.03%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Jamestown, ND
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0COP 191.4K
$50.8$50.8
18.09%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 101.5K
$39.33$39.33
-19.09%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102COP 324.4K
$86.1$86.1
18.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 342.8K
$113$113
-4.57%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Jamestown, ND
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$475COP 1.5M
$1,574$1,574
-69.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$374COP 1.2M
$1,355$1,355
-72.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$849COP 2.7M
$2,606$2,606
-67.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$719COP 2.3M
$2,232$2,232
-67.76%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,265COP 10.4M
$3,124$3,124
4.51%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,441COP 4.6M
$2,607$2,607
-44.74%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Jamestown, ND
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$624COP 2.0M
$3,137$3,137
-80.09%
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 Jamestown, ND: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $475 in Medellin and $1,574 in Jamestown, ND. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Jamestown, ND pays 402% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $74.0 in Jamestown, ND for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $193 vs $384 per month, with Medellin cheaper across the board.
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 Jamestown, ND: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jamestown, ND cheaper than Medellin?
Medellin is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 161% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Medellin or Jamestown, ND?
On paper, salaries run 402% lower in Jamestown, ND. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Medellin and Jamestown, ND?
Rent for a central apartment: $475 in Medellin versus $1,574 in Jamestown, ND. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $316 in Medellin versus $1,313 in Jamestown, ND. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or in Jamestown, ND?
Dining out is cheaper in Medellin – a meal for two runs $33.00 versus $74.0 in Jamestown, ND. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Jamestown, ND?
At $1,003 in Medellin versus $2,614 in Jamestown, ND, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Jamestown, ND. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or Jamestown, ND more family-friendly?
For families, Medellin is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Jamestown, ND, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Jamestown, ND?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Jamestown, ND are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 161% less than in Jamestown, ND. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.