🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,031 in Medellin versus $2,678 in Madison Heights, MI.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,599 in Medellin versus $3,775 in Madison Heights, MI.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,167 in Medellin versus $4,872 in Madison Heights, MI.
🌍Living in Medellin costs roughly 62% less than in Madison Heights, MI, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 23% below, Madison Heights, MI is 100% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Madison Heights, MI
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.16COP 20.1K
$18.26$18.26
-66.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.60COP 106.1K
$54.5$54.5
-40.23%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.34COP 23.9K
$9.02$9.02
-18.63%
Cappuccino
$1.72COP 5,599
$5.55$5.55
-69.01%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05COP 3,420
$2.47$2.47
-57.49%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77COP 2,515
$1.79$1.79
-56.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.69COP 5,487
$5.95$5.95
-71.60%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.17COP 10.3K
$6.88$6.88
-53.92%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Madison Heights, MI
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COP 3,423
$0.85$0.85
23.53%
White Bread(500g)
$1.30COP 4,236
$3.14$3.14
-58.60%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.40COP 4,544
$5.89$5.89
-76.23%
Eggs
$2.16COP 7,046
$3.31$3.31
-34.74%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.39COP 14.3K
$9.66$9.66
-54.55%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COP 19.1K
$12.17$12.17
-51.68%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.64COP 28.1K
$20.03$20.03
-56.86%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28COP 7,425
$4.30$4.30
-46.98%
Banana(1kg)
$1.11COP 3,603
$1.55$1.55
-28.39%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COP 4,982
$5.74$5.74
-73.34%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.35COP 4,410
$6.19$6.19
-78.19%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,674
$4.11$4.11
-72.51%
Onion(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,692
$4.31$4.31
-73.78%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COP 2,753
$2.52$2.52
-66.27%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COP 2,975
$2.37$2.37
-61.60%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.34COP 7,629
$10.15$10.15
-76.95%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.37COP 40.3K
$15.17$15.17
-18.46%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COP 3,909
$2.03$2.03
-40.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49COP 8,104
$2.49$2.49
-
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Madison Heights, MI
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COP 2,727
$2.03$2.03
-58.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.57COP 132.1K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COP 4,623
$2.51$2.51
-43.43%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.92COP 6,235
$1.44$1.44
33.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.66COP 24.9K
$25.85$25.85
-70.37%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,223
$0.83$0.83
19.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.0KCOP 58.7M
$33.8K$33.8K
-46.65%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.6KCOP 86.7M
$24.4K$24.4K
9.01%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Madison Heights, MI
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$80.8COP 263.1K
$253$253
-68.10%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.95COP 32.4K
$48.31$48.31
-79.40%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.18COP 78.7K
$54.6$54.6
-55.69%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Madison Heights, MI
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.08COP 81.6K
$42.33$42.33
-40.75%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.15COP 62.3K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.98COP 13.0K
$10.89$10.89
-63.45%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Madison Heights, MI
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$305COP 993.4K
$1,008$1,008
-69.73%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,059COP 19.7M
$16.6K$16.6K
-63.41%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Madison Heights, MI
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.1COP 189.2K
$55.7$55.7
4.46%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.20COP 104.8K
$30.40$30.40
5.92%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101COP 327.9K
$105$105
-3.83%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COP 350.8K
$138$138
-22.04%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Madison Heights, MI
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$477COP 1.6M
$1,573$1,573
-69.70%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$376COP 1.2M
$1,337$1,337
-71.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$845COP 2.7M
$2,646$2,646
-68.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$730COP 2.4M
$2,181$2,181
-66.51%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,215COP 10.5M
$2,888$2,888
11.35%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,372COP 4.5M
$2,442$2,442
-43.81%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Madison Heights, MI
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$617COP 2.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.42
109.19%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 12, 2026
Last update for Madison Heights, MI: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $477 in Medellin and $1,573 in Madison Heights, MI. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $55.0 in Madison Heights, MI for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $193 vs $416 per month, with Medellin cheaper across the board.
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 Madison Heights, MI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Madison Heights, MI?
Medellin wins on cost – living expenses run 160% lower than in Madison Heights, MI. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Medellin the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Medellin and in Madison Heights, MI?
You'd need roughly $1,546 in Medellin and $4,017 in Madison Heights, MI to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Medellin compared to Madison Heights, MI?
Rent for a central apartment: $477 in Medellin versus $1,573 in Madison Heights, MI. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Medellin and in Madison Heights, MI?
Childcare runs $305 in Medellin versus $1,008 in Madison Heights, MI. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in Medellin and in Madison Heights, MI?
Dining out is cheaper in Medellin – a meal for two runs $33.00 versus $55.0 in Madison Heights, MI. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Medellin or in Madison Heights, MI?
At $1,031 in Medellin versus $2,678 in Madison Heights, MI, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Madison Heights, MI. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Madison Heights, MI?
Both work as nomad bases, but Medellin delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,031 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Medellin hard to pass up.
How safe is Medellin compared to Madison Heights, MI?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Madison Heights, MI are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 160% less than in Madison Heights, MI. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.