Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Kansas City, KS

For one person, living is cheaper in Medellin: $1,639 a month against $2,714 in Kansas City, KS, rent and utilities included – about $12,900 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Medellin, Colombia
Kansas City, KS, United States
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,639
/mo nomad
Kansas City, KS
🇺🇸 United States
$2,714
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Kansas City, KS

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 Kansas City, KS actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,639 per month in Medellin vs $2,714 in Kansas City, KS, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,639
  • Kansas City, KS $2,714

A couple spends around $2,413 per month in Medellin vs $4,099 in Kansas City, KS, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,413
  • Kansas City, KS $4,099

A family of three spends $3,186 per month in Medellin vs $5,484 in Kansas City, KS, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,186
  • Kansas City, KS $5,484

Medellin is about 40% cheaper than Kansas City, KS, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Medellin and Kansas City, KS sit above the global median – Medellin by 20%, Kansas City, KS by 99%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Kansas City, KS
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.09 COP 25.4K
$23.70 $23.70
-65.86%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.05 COP 148.0K
$81.6 $81.6
-42.31%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.50 COP 29.9K
$12.58 $12.58
-24.48%
Cappuccino
$3.01 COP 9,485
$6.09 $6.09
-50.57%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80 COP 5,660
$3.05 $3.05
-40.98%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.41 COP 4,443
$2.44 $2.44
-42.21%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.18 COP 9,990
$5.13 $5.13
-38.01%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.75 COP 18.1K
$8.86 $8.86
-35.10%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Kansas City, KS
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.51 COP 4,751
$1.07 $1.07
41.12%
White Bread (500g)
$2.38 COP 7,480
$3.37 $3.37
-29.38%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.77 COP 5,573
$5.27 $5.27
-66.41%
Eggs
$2.89 COP 9,093
$4.57 $4.57
-36.76%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.19 COP 32.1K
$13.97 $13.97
-27.06%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.87 COP 31.1K
$9.50 $9.50
3.89%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.99 COP 44.0K
$13.57 $13.57
3.10%
Apples (1kg)
$3.97 COP 12.5K
$4.19 $4.19
-5.25%
Banana (1kg)
$1.55 COP 4,883
$2.10 $2.10
-26.19%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.18 COP 6,867
$5.89 $5.89
-62.99%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.18 COP 6,870
$5.45 $5.45
-60.00%
Potato (1kg)
$1.96 COP 6,174
$3.57 $3.57
-45.10%
Onion (1kg)
$1.59 COP 5,000
$3.78 $3.78
-57.94%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.15 COP 3,604
$2.39 $2.39
-51.88%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24 COP 3,911
$2.18 $2.18
-43.12%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.96 COP 12.5K
$8.78 $8.78
-54.90%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.68 COP 43.0K
$16.84 $16.84
-18.76%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.66 COP 5,221
$1.81 $1.81
-8.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26 COP 7,103
$3.97 $3.97
-43.07%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Kansas City, KS
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.17 COP 3,674
$1.53 $1.53
-23.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$77.4 COP 243.4K
$55.2 $55.2
40.19%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.27 COP 3,989
$4.93 $4.93
-74.24%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.05 COP 6,442
$1.28 $1.28
60.16%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.55 COP 26.9K
$41.28 $41.28
-79.29%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 COP 4,237
$1.02 $1.02
32.35%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.1K COP 107.2M
$27.3K $27.3K
24.65%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7K COP 109.1M
$26.3K $26.3K
31.73%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Kansas City, KS
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$170 COP 533.7K
$198 $198
-14.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.55 COP 42.6K
$53.0 $53.0
-74.41%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.07 COP 88.3K
$64.3 $64.3
-56.31%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Kansas City, KS
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.70 COP 137.5K
$113 $113
-61.41%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.19 COP 54.1K
$64.7 $64.7
-73.41%
Cinema Ticket
$6.91 COP 21.7K
$15.24 $15.24
-54.66%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Kansas City, KS
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$797 COP 2.5M
$445 $445
78.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,112 COP 28.7M
$21.3K $21.3K
-57.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Kansas City, KS
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$84.7 COP 266.5K
$59.8 $59.8
41.77%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.0 COP 182.3K
$43.22 $43.22
34.10%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$135 COP 424.6K
$104 $104
30.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$97.9 COP 307.9K
$146 $146
-32.79%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Kansas City, KS
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,208 COP 3.8M
$1,498 $1,498
-19.37%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$642 COP 2.0M
$1,255 $1,255
-48.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,028 COP 6.4M
$2,794 $2,794
-27.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,012 COP 3.2M
$2,191 $2,191
-53.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,170 COP 13.1M
$2,078 $2,078
100.71%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,910 COP 6.0M
$2,167 $2,167
-11.86%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Kansas City, KS
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$657 COP 2.1M
$3,207 $3,207
-79.51%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
6.56
66.77%

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

Last update for Medellin: October 25, 2026

Last update for Kansas City, KS: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$642
Kansas City, KS
$1.3K 95.7% $614
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$297
Kansas City, KS
$403 35.7% $106
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$211
Kansas City, KS
$316 49.4% $104
Eating Out
Medellin
$170
Kansas City, KS
$366 116% $196
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$169
Kansas City, KS
$159 6.2% $10
Getting Around
Medellin
$94
Kansas City, KS
$73 22.4% $21
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$58
Kansas City, KS
$144 150% $86

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,208 in Medellin versus $1,498 in Kansas City, KS. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Kansas City, KS are about 4.9 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin versus $82 in Kansas City, KS. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $297 vs $403 – making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇺🇸 Kansas City, KS
🕒 Local time
11:04 11:04 AM
11:04 11:04 AM
Same time as Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
463,202
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 = 3,501 COP (10,000 COP = 2.86 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.11 USD (1 USD = 0.899 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Kansas City, KS 4,120 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Kansas City, KS

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 Kansas City, KS: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Kansas City, KS?
Kansas City, KS costs about 66% more than Medellin, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. 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 Kansas City, KS?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,459 per month in Medellin and $4,072 in Kansas City, KS. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Medellin or Kansas City, KS?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Medellin, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,208 there versus $1,498 in Kansas City, KS.
How do childcare costs compare in Medellin and in Kansas City, KS?
Kindergarten costs $797 per month in Medellin and $445 in Kansas City, KS. 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 Kansas City, KS?
Groceries cost about 36% more in Kansas City, KS, 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 Kansas City, KS?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,639, than in Kansas City, KS at $2,714. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Kansas City, KS it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Medellin or Kansas City, KS?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,639 in Medellin to $2,714 in Kansas City, KS. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Should I move to Medellin or to Kansas City, KS?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Kansas City, KS makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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