Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Lethbridge, AB Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Lethbridge, AB

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,681 per month in Medellin vs $2,216 in Lethbridge, AB, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,445 per month in Medellin vs $3,246 in Lethbridge, AB, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,210 per month in Medellin vs $4,277 in Lethbridge, AB, rent included.

Medellin is about 24% cheaper than Lethbridge, AB, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Medellin and Lethbridge, AB sit above the global median – Medellin by 23%, Lethbridge, AB by 62%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Lethbridge, AB
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.02 COP 24.9K
$21.91 CA$30.46
-63.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.87 COP 148.7K
$69.7 CA$96.9
-31.29%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.89 COP 30.7K
$12.37 CA$17.20
-20.05%
Cappuccino
$3.13 COP 9,725
$4.19 CA$5.83
-25.30%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.91 COP 5,929
$1.76 CA$2.45
8.52%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51 COP 4,692
$2.09 CA$2.91
-27.75%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.12 COP 9,705
$5.06 CA$7.03
-38.34%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.75 COP 17.9K
$5.62 CA$7.82
2.31%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Lethbridge, AB
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.44 COP 4,490
$2.25 CA$3.13
-36.00%
White Bread (500g)
$2.49 COP 7,726
$2.53 CA$3.51
-1.58%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.77 COP 5,511
$4.57 CA$6.36
-61.27%
Eggs
$2.96 COP 9,196
$3.38 CA$4.70
-12.43%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.07 COP 31.3K
$10.42 CA$14.48
-3.36%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.12 COP 31.4K
$12.45 CA$17.30
-18.71%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.30 COP 44.4K
$13.39 CA$18.61
6.80%
Apples (1kg)
$4.14 COP 12.9K
$3.38 CA$4.70
22.49%
Banana (1kg)
$1.61 COP 4,997
$1.36 CA$1.89
18.38%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.25 COP 6,977
$2.80 CA$3.90
-19.64%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.25 COP 6,998
$4.72 CA$6.56
-52.33%
Potato (1kg)
$2.04 COP 6,348
$3.67 CA$5.10
-44.41%
Onion (1kg)
$1.54 COP 4,770
$3.18 CA$4.42
-51.57%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.17 COP 3,636
$3.21 CA$4.46
-63.55%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.31 COP 4,060
$1.80 CA$2.50
-27.22%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.90 COP 12.1K
$11.93 CA$16.59
-67.31%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.01 COP 43.5K
$14.64 CA$20.35
-4.30%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.74 COP 5,416
$3.30 CA$4.59
-47.27%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87 COP 8,918
$3.90 CA$5.43
-26.41%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Lethbridge, AB
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.22 COP 3,776
$2.19 CA$3.05
-44.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$80.5 COP 250.1K
$71.2 CA$98.9
13.11%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.31 COP 4,067
$3.62 CA$5.03
-63.81%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.19 COP 6,796
$2.82 CA$3.91
-22.34%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.71 COP 27.1K
$43.82 CA$60.9
-80.12%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.37 COP 4,241
$1.07 CA$1.49
28.04%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.8K COP 86.5M
$28.9K CA$40.2K
-3.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.8K COP 111.2M
$23.1K CA$32.1K
54.91%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Lethbridge, AB
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$177 COP 550.9K
$278 CA$387
-36.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.88 COP 43.1K
$52.8 CA$73.4
-73.71%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.72 COP 92.4K
$69.8 CA$97.1
-57.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Lethbridge, AB
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$44.88 COP 139.5K
$46.19 CA$64.2
-2.84%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.12 COP 53.2K
$14.24 CA$19.79
20.22%
Cinema Ticket
$6.65 COP 20.6K
$14.58 CA$20.26
-54.39%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Lethbridge, AB
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$813 COP 2.5M
$881 CA$1,225
-7.77%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,187 COP 28.5M
$3,644 CA$5,066
152.08%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Lethbridge, AB
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$89.5 COP 278.1K
$48.90 CA$68.0
83.01%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.0 COP 183.2K
$52.4 CA$72.9
12.47%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$138 COP 429.4K
$78.0 CA$108
77.18%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$102 COP 317.3K
$118 CA$164
-13.17%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Lethbridge, AB
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,062 COP 3.3M
$1,023 CA$1,422
3.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$663 COP 2.1M
$774 CA$1,077
-14.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,888 COP 5.9M
$1,455 CA$2,023
29.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,027 COP 3.2M
$1,287 CA$1,790
-20.22%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,183 COP 13.0M
$5,666 CA$7,877
-26.17%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,675 COP 5.2M
$2,111 CA$2,934
-20.66%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Lethbridge, AB
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$678 COP 2.1M
$3,029 CA$4,211
-77.63%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
4.85
125.57%

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

Last update for Medellin: September 14, 2026

Last update for Lethbridge, AB: September 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,062 in Medellin versus $1,023 in Lethbridge, AB. 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 347% higher in Lethbridge, AB, 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 $70.0 in Lethbridge, AB. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $305 vs $379 – 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 Lethbridge, AB: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and in Lethbridge, AB compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,681 in Medellin, $2,216 in Lethbridge, AB – roughly 32% apart. Lethbridge, AB costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Lethbridge, AB?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,521 per month in Medellin and $3,324 in Lethbridge, AB. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and Lethbridge, AB?
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 has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 24% more in Lethbridge, AB, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $48.00 in Medellin and $70.0 in Lethbridge, AB. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,500 per month?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,681, than in Lethbridge, AB at $2,216. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Lethbridge, AB it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Lethbridge, AB?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,681 in Medellin to $2,216 in Lethbridge, AB. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Medellin or Lethbridge, AB safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Medellin and Lethbridge, AB?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Lethbridge, AB makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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