πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $912 in Long Mountain, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,473 in Long Mountain, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $2,034 in Long Mountain, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 11% more than Long Mountain, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Medellin and Long Mountain are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Long Mountain32% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Long Mountain
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$6.45MURΒ 304
-7.75%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$33.28MURΒ 1,567
0.15%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$7.01MURΒ 330
3.14%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$1.40MURΒ 66.1
16.43%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.96MURΒ 45.25
13.54%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.57MURΒ 26.72
28.07%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$2.04MURΒ 96.0
-14.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$2.69MURΒ 127
20.07%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Long Mountain
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.46MURΒ 68.8
-28.08%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.23MURΒ 10.86
460.87%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.27MURΒ 59.9
3.94%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.34MURΒ 110
-2.99%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$11.66MURΒ 549
-62.69%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$3.95MURΒ 186
48.86%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$7.65MURΒ 360
12.55%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$1.96MURΒ 92.3
14.80%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.88MURΒ 88.7
-43.09%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.43MURΒ 67.4
6.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$1.69MURΒ 79.5
-15.98%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.98MURΒ 46.26
19.39%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$1.02MURΒ 47.84
14.71%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.80MURΒ 37.49
11.25%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.67MURΒ 31.77
34.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$6.61MURΒ 311
-65.96%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$6.24MURΒ 294
76.92%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.61MURΒ 75.8
-29.19%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.17MURΒ 102
9.68%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Long Mountain
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$1.03MURΒ 48.66
-18.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$4.44MURΒ 209
-68.24%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$2.65MURΒ 125
-28.30%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$19.88MURΒ 936
-61.02%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$1.40MURΒ 66.0
-27.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$36.2KMURΒ 1.7M
-51.38%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$28.4KMURΒ 1.3M
-6.78%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Long Mountain
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$49.55MURΒ 2,333
68.88%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$11.09MURΒ 522
-14.79%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$33.71MURΒ 1,587
-28.48%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Long Mountain
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$37.60MURΒ 1,771
-32.69%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$17.89MURΒ 843
6.99%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$6.02MURΒ 284
-31.89%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Long Mountain
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$152MURΒ 7,134
105.90%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$886MURΒ 41.7K
576.50%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Long Mountain
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$33.33MURΒ 1,570
74.14%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$44.67MURΒ 2,103
-27.11%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$67.3MURΒ 3,169
48.05%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$66.3MURΒ 3,121
63.78%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Long Mountain
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$508MURΒ 23.9K
-5.06%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$346MURΒ 16.3K
9.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$961MURΒ 45.3K
-12.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$729MURΒ 34.3K
-0.81%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$3,672MURΒ 172.9K
-22.66%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$3,156MURΒ 148.6K
-61.25%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Long Mountain
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$1,044MURΒ 49.2K
-48.19%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.67
101.35%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Long Mountain: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $508 in Long Mountain. 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 93% higher in Long Mountain, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $33.00 in Long Mountain. Groceries tell a different story β $190 in Medellin vs $185 in Long Mountain β so Long Mountain wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Long Mountain: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Long Mountain cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 11%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,525 per month in Medellin and $1,368 in Long Mountain. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Long Mountain, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or Long Mountain?
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Long Mountain?
Groceries cost about 2% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Long Mountain?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Long Mountain, where all-in costs run around $912, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Long Mountain it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Long Mountain more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Long Mountain β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Long Mountain?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Long Mountain. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Medellin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.