🙂A single person spends $1,003 per month in Medellin vs $2,362 in Kansas City, MO, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,573 per month in Medellin vs $3,541 in Kansas City, MO, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,143 per month in Medellin vs $4,720 in Kansas City, MO, rent included.
🙂Medellin is about 58% cheaper than Kansas City, MO, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Medellin sits 25% below the global median, while Kansas City, MO is 77% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.91COP 18.6K
$20.23$20.23
-70.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.96COP 103.8K
$80.1$80.1
-58.85%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.43COP 23.4K
$11.81$11.81
-37.09%
Cappuccino
$1.65COP 5,207
$4.77$4.77
-65.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,468
$2.30$2.30
-52.17%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COP 2,458
$1.89$1.89
-58.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,412
$5.88$5.88
-70.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COP 10.0K
$6.94$6.94
-54.18%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10COP 3,474
$1.19$1.19
-7.56%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COP 3,962
$3.50$3.50
-64.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,349
$5.10$5.10
-72.94%
Eggs
$2.18COP 6,858
$3.66$3.66
-40.44%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.49COP 14.1K
$14.05$14.05
-68.04%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.79COP 18.2K
$10.68$10.68
-45.79%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COP 28.2K
$12.79$12.79
-29.87%
Apples(1kg)
$2.32COP 7,308
$4.49$4.49
-48.33%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COP 3,352
$1.49$1.49
-28.86%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COP 4,774
$6.59$6.59
-76.93%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COP 4,270
$6.49$6.49
-79.04%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,552
$3.62$3.62
-68.78%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,689
$3.69$3.69
-68.29%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90COP 2,838
$2.20$2.20
-59.09%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COP 2,823
$2.78$2.78
-67.63%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.23COP 7,034
$6.97$6.97
-68.01%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.12COP 38.2K
$15.45$15.45
-21.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 3,743
$1.99$1.99
-40.20%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COP 7,815
$5.35$5.35
-53.64%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.85COP 2,687
$2.01$2.01
-57.71%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.62COP 131.0K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COP 4,459
$2.45$2.45
-42.04%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.95COP 6,141
$2.15$2.15
-9.30%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.89COP 24.8K
$21.36$21.36
-63.06%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,118
$0.81$0.81
22.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOP 55.4M
$36.4K$36.4K
-51.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 84.4M
$25.9K$25.9K
3.40%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.0COP 261.4K
$214$214
-61.22%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.70COP 30.5K
$61.1$61.1
-84.13%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.52COP 74.1K
$54.2$54.2
-56.61%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.26COP 79.5K
$57.5$57.5
-56.09%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.10COP 60.1K
$29.53$29.53
-35.32%
Cinema Ticket
$3.95COP 12.4K
$14.87$14.87
-73.44%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$316COP 994.2K
$1,388$1,388
-77.25%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,975COP 18.8M
$28.9K$28.9K
-79.34%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0COP 188.9K
$53.9$53.9
11.42%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 100.2K
$42.46$42.46
-25.06%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102COP 320.1K
$103$103
-1.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 338.3K
$124$124
-13.02%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$475COP 1.5M
$1,336$1,336
-64.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$374COP 1.2M
$1,058$1,058
-64.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$849COP 2.7M
$2,365$2,365
-64.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$719COP 2.3M
$1,672$1,672
-56.98%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,265COP 10.3M
$2,545$2,545
28.31%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,441COP 4.5M
$1,958$1,958
-26.44%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$624COP 2.0M
$3,869$3,869
-83.86%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.5
106.62%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Last update for Kansas City, MO: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $475 in Medellin versus $1,336 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.
💰Salaries run about 520% higher in Kansas City, MO, 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 $80.0 in Kansas City, MO. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $193 vs $418 – 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 in Kansas City, MO compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,003 in Medellin, $2,362 in Kansas City, MO – roughly 136% 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 $1,504 per month in Medellin and $3,543 in Kansas City, MO. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – 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 $1,003 in Medellin and $2,362 in Kansas City, MO. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Medellin and Kansas City, MO?
Kindergarten costs $316 per month in Medellin and $1,388 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 $1,003, than in Kansas City, MO at $2,362. 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 $1,003 in Medellin to $2,362 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.