Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Lumberton, NC Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Lumberton, NC

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,618 per month in Medellin vs $2,506 in Lumberton, NC, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,460 per month in Medellin vs $3,803 in Lumberton, NC, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,302 per month in Medellin vs $5,100 in Lumberton, NC, rent included.

Medellin is about 35% cheaper than Lumberton, NC, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Medellin and Lumberton, NC sit above the global median – Medellin by 19%, Lumberton, NC by 85%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.69 COP 24.8K

$15.49 $15.49

-50.36%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$43.28 COP 139.8K

$106 $106

-59.19%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.50 COP 30.7K

$9.85 $9.85

-3.55%

Cappuccino

$2.81 COP 9,077

$4.74 $4.74

-40.72%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.84 COP 5,930

$3.09 $3.09

-40.45%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.51 COP 4,868

$2.08 $2.08

-27.40%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.08 COP 9,964

$6.18 $6.18

-50.16%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.49 COP 17.7K

$7.18 $7.18

-23.54%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 COP 4,343

$0.89 $0.89

50.56%

White Bread (500g)

$2.31 COP 7,448

$1.45 $1.45

59.31%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.47 COP 4,747

$2.37 $2.37

-37.97%

Eggs

$2.69 COP 8,683

$5.94 $5.94

-54.71%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.87 COP 28.7K

$21.86 $21.86

-59.42%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.64 COP 34.4K

$16.80 $16.80

-36.67%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.47 COP 46.8K

$27.10 $27.10

-46.61%

Apples (1kg)

$3.75 COP 12.1K

$3.71 $3.71

1.08%

Banana (1kg)

$1.39 COP 4,480

$1.19 $1.19

16.81%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.22 COP 7,179

$3.23 $3.23

-31.27%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.98 COP 6,398

$4.28 $4.28

-53.74%

Potato (1kg)

$2.05 COP 6,638

$2.34 $2.34

-12.39%

Onion (1kg)

$1.60 COP 5,169

$3.95 $3.95

-59.49%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.04 COP 3,366

$1.87 $1.87

-44.39%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.27 COP 4,099

$1.96 $1.96

-35.20%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.75 COP 12.1K

$8.23 $8.23

-54.43%

Wine (Bottle)

$13.10 COP 42.3K

$15.04 $15.04

-12.90%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.58 COP 5,094

$1.71 $1.71

-7.60%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.02 COP 9,754

$5.05 $5.05

-40.20%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.17 COP 3,774

$1.97 $1.97

-40.61%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.0 COP 245.4K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.50 COP 4,856

$2.05 $2.05

-26.83%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.09 COP 6,739

$1.55 $1.55

34.84%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.10 COP 26.2K

$31.12 $31.12

-73.97%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.26 COP 4,079

$0.96 $0.96

31.25%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$26.9K COP 86.9M

$35.0K $35.0K

-23.19%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$34.9K COP 112.7M

$25.3K $25.3K

37.80%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$148 COP 479.2K

$147 $147

0.81%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$13.03 COP 42.1K

$75.8 $75.8

-82.81%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$31.48 COP 101.7K

$70.3 $70.3

-55.21%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.50 COP 147.0K

$44.73 $44.73

1.72%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.02 COP 55.0K

Cinema Ticket

$6.32 COP 20.4K

$14.08 $14.08

-55.11%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$837 COP 2.7M

$444 $444

88.41%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,663 COP 28.0M

$23.3K $23.3K

-62.82%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$88.8 COP 286.9K

$58.9 $58.9

50.77%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.9 COP 177.5K

$40.55 $40.55

35.46%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$134 COP 434.4K

$104 $104

29.17%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$108 COP 350.0K

$140 $140

-22.58%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$939 COP 3.0M

$1,585 $1,585

-40.74%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$646 COP 2.1M

$1,280 $1,280

-49.50%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,941 COP 6.3M

$2,452 $2,452

-20.87%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,126 COP 3.6M

$2,150 $2,150

-47.62%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,638 COP 11.8M

$2,839 $2,839

28.18%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,553 COP 5.0M

$2,281 $2,281

-31.92%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$628 COP 2.0M

$2,354 $2,354

-73.33%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.43

6.16

69.32%

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

Last update for Medellin: August 3, 2026

Last update for Lumberton, NC: August 3, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $939 in Medellin versus $1,585 in Lumberton, NC. 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 275% higher in Lumberton, NC, 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 $43.00 in Medellin versus $106 in Lumberton, NC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $291 vs $442 – 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 Lumberton, NC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Lumberton, NC costs about 55% more than Medellin, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,427 per month in Medellin and $3,758 in Lumberton, NC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $43.00 in Medellin and $106 in Lumberton, NC. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 52% more in Lumberton, NC, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,618, than in Lumberton, NC at $2,506. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Lumberton, NC it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Medellin costs $1,618 versus $2,506 in Lumberton, NC. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Lumberton, NC makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.