Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Little Rock, AR

For one person, living is cheaper in Medellin: $1,625 a month against $2,150 in Little Rock, AR, rent and utilities included – about $6,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,625
/mo nomad
Little Rock, AR
🇺🇸 United States
$2,150
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Little Rock, AR

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Medellin and in Little Rock, AR actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,625 per month in Medellin vs $2,150 in Little Rock, AR, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,625
  • Little Rock, AR $2,150

A couple spends around $2,412 per month in Medellin vs $3,136 in Little Rock, AR, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,412
  • Little Rock, AR $3,136

A family of three spends $3,199 per month in Medellin vs $4,122 in Little Rock, AR, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,199
  • Little Rock, AR $4,122

Medellin is about 24% cheaper than Little Rock, AR, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Medellin and Little Rock, AR sit above the global median – Medellin by 20%, Little Rock, AR by 59%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Little Rock, AR
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.30 COP 26.3K
$16.69 $16.69
-50.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.91 COP 148.7K
$76.5 $76.5
-38.65%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.24 COP 29.3K
$11.14 $11.14
-17.06%
Cappuccino
$3.05 COP 9,676
$5.10 $5.10
-40.20%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80 COP 5,707
$2.92 $2.92
-38.36%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38 COP 4,382
$2.44 $2.44
-43.44%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.24 COP 10.3K
$5.61 $5.61
-42.25%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.56 COP 17.6K
$6.62 $6.62
-16.01%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Little Rock, AR
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.50 COP 4,760
$1.06 $1.06
41.51%
White Bread (500g)
$2.37 COP 7,508
$2.73 $2.73
-13.19%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.70 COP 5,377
$2.75 $2.75
-38.18%
Eggs
$2.96 COP 9,379
$3.37 $3.37
-12.17%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.22 COP 32.4K
$10.15 $10.15
0.69%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.74 COP 30.9K
$12.06 $12.06
-19.24%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.90 COP 44.1K
$22.58 $22.58
-38.44%
Apples (1kg)
$4.13 COP 13.1K
$5.08 $5.08
-18.70%
Banana (1kg)
$1.53 COP 4,839
$1.47 $1.47
4.08%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.22 COP 7,052
$4.52 $4.52
-50.88%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.27 COP 7,194
$3.90 $3.90
-41.79%
Potato (1kg)
$1.99 COP 6,311
$2.82 $2.82
-29.43%
Onion (1kg)
$1.67 COP 5,285
$2.53 $2.53
-33.99%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.18 COP 3,742
$1.92 $1.92
-38.54%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24 COP 3,919
$1.86 $1.86
-33.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.87 COP 12.3K
$9.26 $9.26
-58.21%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.78 COP 43.7K
$13.25 $13.25
4.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.66 COP 5,256
$1.81 $1.81
-8.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.40 COP 7,615
$1.73 $1.73
38.73%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Little Rock, AR
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.24 COP 3,944
$1.39 $1.39
-10.79%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$78.2 COP 248.0K
$36.10 $36.10
116.65%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.28 COP 4,044
$2.54 $2.54
-49.61%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.15 COP 6,803
$1.53 $1.53
40.52%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.37 COP 26.5K
$23.86 $23.86
-64.92%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 COP 4,288
$0.93 $0.93
45.16%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.8K COP 110.2M
$26.9K $26.9K
29.20%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7K COP 110.0M
$26.1K $26.1K
32.71%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Little Rock, AR
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$167 COP 528.4K
$219 $219
-24.00%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.62 COP 43.2K
$59.2 $59.2
-76.98%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.12 COP 92.3K
$69.8 $69.8
-58.29%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Little Rock, AR
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.09 COP 143.0K
$28.32 $28.32
59.22%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.18 COP 54.5K
$14.15 $14.15
21.41%
Cinema Ticket
$6.97 COP 22.1K
$13.10 $13.10
-46.79%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Little Rock, AR
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$790 COP 2.5M
$1,051 $1,051
-24.83%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,041 COP 28.7M
$19.2K $19.2K
-52.85%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Little Rock, AR
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$87.8 COP 278.4K
$51.5 $51.5
70.52%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.2 COP 184.4K
$38.74 $38.74
50.10%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$139 COP 440.7K
$84.0 $84.0
65.54%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$98.9 COP 313.5K
$152 $152
-34.87%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Little Rock, AR
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,028 COP 3.3M
$1,145 $1,145
-10.24%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$620 COP 2.0M
$883 $883
-29.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,881 COP 6.0M
$1,535 $1,535
22.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,008 COP 3.2M
$1,321 $1,321
-23.73%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,988 COP 12.6M
$1,912 $1,912
108.62%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,702 COP 5.4M
$1,325 $1,325
28.47%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Little Rock, AR
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$663 COP 2.1M
$3,988 $3,988
-83.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
6.75
62.07%

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

Last update for Medellin: October 19, 2026

Last update for Little Rock, AR: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$619
Little Rock, AR
$883 42.5% $263
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$298
Little Rock, AR
$375 25.9% $77
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$209
Little Rock, AR
$348 66.3% $139
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$173
Little Rock, AR
$147 15.1% $26
Eating Out
Medellin
$171
Little Rock, AR
$291 70.2% $120
Getting Around
Medellin
$95
Little Rock, AR
$52 45.5% $43
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$59
Little Rock, AR
$55 7.6% $4.5

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,028 in Medellin versus $1,145 in Little Rock, AR. 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 501% higher in Little Rock, AR, 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 $47.00 in Medellin versus $76.0 in Little Rock, AR. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $298 vs $375 – making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇺🇸 Little Rock, AR
🕒 Local time
08:17 8:17 AM
08:17 8:17 AM
Same time as Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
202,591
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 USD = 3,171 COP (10,000 COP = 3.15 USD). 1 EUR = 3,565 COP (10,000 COP = 2.81 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Little Rock, AR 3,600 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Little Rock, AR

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Little Rock, AR: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and in Little Rock, AR compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,625 in Medellin, $2,150 in Little Rock, AR – roughly 32% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in eating out.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Little Rock, AR?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,437 per month in Medellin and $3,225 in Little Rock, AR. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and Little Rock, AR?
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.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Medellin and Little Rock, AR?
Kindergarten costs $790 per month in Medellin and $1,051 in Little Rock, AR. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 26% more in Little Rock, AR, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
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 $1,625, than in Little Rock, AR at $2,150. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Little Rock, AR it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Little Rock, AR?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,625 in Medellin to $2,150 in Little Rock, AR. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Medellin and Little Rock, AR?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Little Rock, AR makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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