🙂A single person spends $1,641 per month in Medellin vs $2,709 in Kansas City, KS, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $2,447 per month in Medellin vs $4,123 in Kansas City, KS, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $3,253 per month in Medellin vs $5,538 in Kansas City, KS, rent included.
🙂Medellin is about 39% cheaper than Kansas City, KS, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Medellin and Kansas City, KS sit above the global median – Medellin by 19%, Kansas City, KS by 96%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Kansas City, KS
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.04COP 24.8K
$24.16$24.16
-66.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.29COP 148.6K
$78.9$78.9
-38.82%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.42COP 29.0K
$12.25$12.25
-23.10%
Cappuccino
$2.94COP 9,040
$5.93$5.93
-50.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86COP 5,735
$3.23$3.23
-42.41%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.46COP 4,479
$2.54$2.54
-42.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.21COP 9,882
$4.97$4.97
-35.41%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.71COP 17.6K
$7.60$7.60
-24.87%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Kansas City, KS
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.44COP 4,428
$1.16$1.16
24.14%
White Bread(500g)
$2.40COP 7,389
$3.34$3.34
-28.14%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70COP 5,228
$5.36$5.36
-68.28%
Eggs
$2.89COP 8,896
$4.31$4.31
-32.95%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.06COP 30.9K
$13.60$13.60
-26.03%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.97COP 30.7K
$9.82$9.82
1.53%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.20COP 43.7K
$13.76$13.76
3.20%
Apples(1kg)
$3.98COP 12.3K
$4.16$4.16
-4.33%
Banana(1kg)
$1.58COP 4,878
$1.54$1.54
2.60%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.15COP 6,624
$6.09$6.09
-64.70%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.30COP 7,078
$5.49$5.49
-58.11%
Potato(1kg)
$2.00COP 6,169
$3.08$3.08
-35.06%
Onion(1kg)
$1.51COP 4,646
$3.74$3.74
-59.63%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.20COP 3,701
$2.39$2.39
-49.79%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.28COP 3,946
$2.14$2.14
-40.19%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.84COP 11.8K
$9.63$9.63
-60.12%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.01COP 43.1K
$16.92$16.92
-17.20%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71COP 5,256
$1.80$1.80
-5.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.74COP 8,440
$3.84$3.84
-28.65%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Kansas City, KS
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.25COP 3,834
$1.51$1.51
-17.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$77.9COP 239.7K
$56.0$56.0
39.23%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.31COP 4,016
$5.05$5.05
-74.06%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.17COP 6,680
$1.34$1.34
61.94%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.29COP 25.5K
$41.60$41.60
-80.07%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.36COP 4,172
$0.88$0.88
54.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.5KCOP 84.5M
$35.3K$35.3K
-22.22%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.5KCOP 112.4M
$24.7K$24.7K
47.75%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Kansas City, KS
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$169COP 519.2K
$202$202
-16.39%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.57COP 41.8K
$53.6$53.6
-74.67%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.32COP 87.2K
$65.2$65.2
-56.58%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Kansas City, KS
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$45.71COP 140.7K
$112$112
-59.02%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.22COP 53.0K
$64.6$64.6
-73.35%
Cinema Ticket
$6.65COP 20.5K
$15.26$15.26
-56.42%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Kansas City, KS
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$803COP 2.5M
$455$455
76.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,190COP 28.3M
$21.4K$21.4K
-57.03%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Kansas City, KS
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$87.4COP 268.8K
$61.1$61.1
43.05%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.4COP 182.7K
$43.75$43.75
35.70%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$139COP 427.5K
$106$106
30.87%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$102COP 314.0K
$146$146
-29.94%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Kansas City, KS
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,071COP 3.3M
$1,489$1,489
-28.06%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$653COP 2.0M
$1,238$1,238
-47.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,925COP 5.9M
$2,806$2,806
-31.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,048COP 3.2M
$2,197$2,197
-52.31%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,123COP 12.7M
$2,250$2,250
83.20%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,697COP 5.2M
$2,178$2,178
-22.06%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Kansas City, KS
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$655COP 2.0M
$3,190$3,190
-79.46%
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: September 7, 2026
Last update for Kansas City, KS: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,071 in Medellin versus $1,489 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 run about 387% higher in Kansas City, KS, 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 $79.0 in Kansas City, KS. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $300 vs $399 – 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 Kansas City, KS: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Kansas City, KS?
Kansas City, KS costs about 65% more than Medellin, with the gap driven mainly by 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 $2,462 per month in Medellin and $4,063 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. 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 Kansas City, KS?
Kindergarten costs $803 per month in Medellin and $455 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 33% 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 $1,641, than in Kansas City, KS at $2,709. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Kansas City, KS it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Kansas City, KS?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Medellin costs $1,641 versus $2,709 in Kansas City, KS. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
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.