πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $2,320 in Kansas City, MO, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $3,499 in Kansas City, MO, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $4,678 in Kansas City, MO, rent included.
πMedellin is about 56% cheaper than Kansas City, MO, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πMedellin sits 24% below the global median, while Kansas City, MO is 73% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$20.01$20.01
-70.26%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$81.5$81.5
-59.12%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$12.09$12.09
-40.20%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$4.83$4.83
-66.25%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$2.41$2.41
-54.77%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$1.94$1.94
-62.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$6.11$6.11
-71.52%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$6.93$6.93
-53.39%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.16$1.16
-9.48%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$3.55$3.55
-63.66%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$4.88$4.88
-72.95%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$3.60$3.60
-36.94%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$13.67$13.67
-68.18%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$10.46$10.46
-43.79%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$12.68$12.68
-32.10%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$4.44$4.44
-49.32%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.46$1.46
-26.71%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$6.69$6.69
-77.28%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$6.65$6.65
-78.65%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$3.62$3.62
-67.68%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$3.61$3.61
-67.59%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$2.21$2.21
-59.73%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$2.66$2.66
-66.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$7.02$7.02
-67.95%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$15.49$15.49
-28.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.97$1.97
-42.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$5.23$5.23
-54.49%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$2.04$2.04
-58.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$2.43$2.43
-41.98%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$2.18$2.18
-12.84%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$21.40$21.40
-63.79%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$0.76$0.76
32.89%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$35.7K$35.7K
-50.69%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$25.6K$25.6K
3.35%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$222$222
-62.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$62.9$62.9
-84.99%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$54.3$54.3
-55.57%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$57.3$57.3
-55.85%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$29.61$29.61
-35.36%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$15.05$15.05
-72.76%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$1,405$1,405
-77.81%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$28.6K$28.6K
-79.08%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$52.2$52.2
11.21%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$42.83$42.83
-23.98%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$103$103
-3.42%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$128$128
-15.36%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$1,347$1,347
-64.18%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$1,021$1,021
-62.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$2,387$2,387
-64.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$1,684$1,684
-57.07%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$2,556$2,556
11.10%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$1,886$1,886
-35.14%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$3,927$3,927
-86.23%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.5
106.62%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Kansas City, MO: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $1,347 in Kansas City, MO. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 626% higher in Kansas City, MO, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $82.0 in Kansas City, MO. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $414 β 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, MO: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and Kansas City, MO compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,017 in Medellin, $2,320 in Kansas City, MO β roughly 128% apart. Kansas City, MO costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Kansas City, MO?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,525 per month in Medellin and $3,481 in Kansas City, MO. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and Kansas City, MO?
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 is more expensive overall: Medellin or Kansas City, MO?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $2,320 in Kansas City, MO. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Medellin and Kansas City, MO?
Kindergarten costs $312 per month in Medellin and $1,405 in Kansas City, MO. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing 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 $1,017, than in Kansas City, MO at $2,320. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Kansas City, MO it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Kansas City, MO?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,017 in Medellin to $2,320 in Kansas City, MO. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Medellin and Kansas City, MO?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Kansas City, MO makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.