Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Kansas City, MO Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Kansas City, MO

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $2,403 in Kansas City, MO, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $3,479 in Kansas City, MO, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $4,554 in Kansas City, MO, rent included.

Medellin is about 57% cheaper than Kansas City, MO, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Medellin sits 23% below the global median, while Kansas City, MO is 79% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92 COPΒ 21.4K
$20.21 $20.21
-70.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75 COPΒ 118.2K
$80.7 $80.7
-59.39%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.20 COPΒ 26.0K
$12.15 $12.15
-40.74%
Cappuccino
$1.70 COPΒ 6,140
$4.87 $4.87
-65.09%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10 COPΒ 3,966
$2.29 $2.29
-51.97%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72 COPΒ 2,605
$1.87 $1.87
-61.50%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.67 COPΒ 6,022
$6.06 $6.06
-72.44%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10 COPΒ 11.2K
$7.17 $7.17
-56.76%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.06 COPΒ 3,809
$1.16 $1.16
-8.62%
White Bread (500g)
$1.25 COPΒ 4,497
$3.58 $3.58
-65.08%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.39 COPΒ 5,022
$5.02 $5.02
-72.31%
Eggs
$2.26 COPΒ 8,168
$3.57 $3.57
-36.69%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.33 COPΒ 15.6K
$14.08 $14.08
-69.25%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.84 COPΒ 21.1K
$10.61 $10.61
-44.96%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.83 COPΒ 31.9K
$12.74 $12.74
-30.69%
Apples (1kg)
$2.24 COPΒ 8,099
$4.41 $4.41
-49.21%
Banana (1kg)
$1.08 COPΒ 3,882
$1.52 $1.52
-28.95%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.53 COPΒ 5,522
$6.49 $6.49
-76.43%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.37 COPΒ 4,950
$6.58 $6.58
-79.18%
Potato (1kg)
$1.13 COPΒ 4,078
$3.48 $3.48
-67.53%
Onion (1kg)
$1.12 COPΒ 4,036
$3.70 $3.70
-69.73%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.85 COPΒ 3,057
$2.20 $2.20
-61.36%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91 COPΒ 3,281
$2.78 $2.78
-67.27%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33 COPΒ 8,414
$7.32 $7.32
-68.17%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.13 COPΒ 40.2K
$15.85 $15.85
-29.78%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19 COPΒ 4,309
$1.97 $1.97
-39.59%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37 COPΒ 8,553
$5.25 $5.25
-54.86%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.79 COPΒ 2,838
$2.02 $2.02
-60.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$41.13 COPΒ 148.5K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.44 COPΒ 5,184
$2.56 $2.56
-43.75%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.91 COPΒ 6,901
$2.14 $2.14
-10.75%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.02 COPΒ 28.9K
$21.26 $21.26
-62.28%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.94 COPΒ 3,385
$0.77 $0.77
22.08%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9K COPΒ 64.7M
$36.4K $36.4K
-50.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8K COPΒ 96.7M
$26.0K $26.0K
3.09%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$84.0 COPΒ 303.1K
$218 $218
-61.46%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60 COPΒ 34.7K
$63.2 $63.2
-84.81%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16 COPΒ 87.2K
$52.6 $52.6
-54.09%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$25.88 COPΒ 93.4K
$58.1 $58.1
-55.49%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04 COPΒ 68.7K
$29.71 $29.71
-35.91%
Cinema Ticket
$3.92 COPΒ 14.1K
$14.87 $14.87
-73.64%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$306 COPΒ 1.1M
$1,375 $1,375
-77.72%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,919 COPΒ 21.4M
$28.3K $28.3K
-79.12%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9 COPΒ 209.1K
$52.8 $52.8
9.76%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82 COPΒ 114.9K
$42.56 $42.56
-25.23%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$99.9 COPΒ 360.6K
$103 $103
-3.01%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107 COPΒ 386.8K
$128 $128
-16.04%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$487 COPΒ 1.8M
$1,371 $1,371
-64.50%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$368 COPΒ 1.3M
$1,029 $1,029
-64.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$826 COPΒ 3.0M
$2,381 $2,381
-65.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$716 COPΒ 2.6M
$1,641 $1,641
-56.36%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,925 COPΒ 10.6M
$2,556 $2,556
14.43%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,407 COPΒ 5.1M
$1,907 $1,907
-26.22%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Kansas City, MO
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$546 COPΒ 2.0M
$3,940 $3,940
-86.15%
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: April 27, 2026

Last update for Kansas City, MO: April 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $487 in Medellin versus $1,371 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 622% 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 $81.0 in Kansas City, MO. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $417 – 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: $1,034 in Medellin, $2,403 in Kansas City, MO – roughly 133% 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 $1,550 per month in Medellin and $3,605 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 $1,034 in Medellin and $2,403 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 $306 per month in Medellin and $1,375 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 $1,034, than in Kansas City, MO at $2,403. 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 $1,034 in Medellin to $2,403 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.

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