🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,641 in Medellin versus $2,508 in Madison Heights, MI.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,447 in Medellin versus $3,665 in Madison Heights, MI.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,253 in Medellin versus $4,821 in Madison Heights, MI.
🌍Living in Medellin costs roughly 35% less than in Madison Heights, MI, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Medellin19% above, Madison Heights, MI82% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Madison Heights, MI
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.04COP 24.8K
$17.16$17.16
-53.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.29COP 148.6K
$60.1$60.1
-19.61%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.42COP 29.0K
$9.89$9.89
-4.75%
Cappuccino
$2.94COP 9,040
$5.63$5.63
-47.78%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86COP 5,735
$2.66$2.66
-30.08%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.46COP 4,479
$1.91$1.91
-23.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.21COP 9,882
$6.02$6.02
-46.68%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.71COP 17.6K
$8.04$8.04
-28.98%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Madison Heights, MI
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.44COP 4,428
$0.88$0.88
63.64%
White Bread(500g)
$2.40COP 7,389
$3.35$3.35
-28.36%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70COP 5,228
$4.45$4.45
-61.80%
Eggs
$2.89COP 8,896
$3.85$3.85
-24.94%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.06COP 30.9K
$13.51$13.51
-25.54%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.97COP 30.7K
$11.13$11.13
-10.42%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.20COP 43.7K
$16.14$16.14
-12.02%
Apples(1kg)
$3.98COP 12.3K
$4.95$4.95
-19.60%
Banana(1kg)
$1.58COP 4,878
$1.51$1.51
4.64%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.15COP 6,624
$3.72$3.72
-42.20%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.30COP 7,078
$3.57$3.57
-35.57%
Potato(1kg)
$2.00COP 6,169
$2.49$2.49
-19.68%
Onion(1kg)
$1.51COP 4,646
$3.14$3.14
-51.91%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.20COP 3,701
$2.27$2.27
-47.14%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.28COP 3,946
$2.16$2.16
-40.74%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.84COP 11.8K
$10.06$10.06
-61.83%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.01COP 43.1K
$14.86$14.86
-5.72%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71COP 5,256
$2.44$2.44
-29.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.74COP 8,440
$3.53$3.53
-22.38%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Madison Heights, MI
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.25COP 3,834
$2.30$2.30
-45.65%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$77.9COP 239.7K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.31COP 4,016
$2.72$2.72
-51.84%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.17COP 6,680
$1.59$1.59
36.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.29COP 25.5K
$24.38$24.38
-66.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.36COP 4,172
$1.00$1.00
36.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.5KCOP 84.5M
$35.7K$35.7K
-23.10%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.5KCOP 112.4M
$25.5K$25.5K
43.42%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Madison Heights, MI
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$169COP 519.2K
$217$217
-22.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.57COP 41.8K
$59.4$59.4
-77.14%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.32COP 87.2K
$70.0$70.0
-59.57%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Madison Heights, MI
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$45.71COP 140.7K
$45.94$45.94
-0.50%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.22COP 53.0K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.65COP 20.5K
$11.85$11.85
-43.88%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Madison Heights, MI
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$803COP 2.5M
$1,107$1,107
-27.41%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,190COP 28.3M
$18.8K$18.8K
-51.14%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Madison Heights, MI
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$87.4COP 268.8K
$59.9$59.9
45.79%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.4COP 182.7K
$37.99$37.99
56.28%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$139COP 427.5K
$95.2$95.2
45.85%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$102COP 314.0K
$118$118
-13.61%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Madison Heights, MI
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,071COP 3.3M
$1,513$1,513
-29.21%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$653COP 2.0M
$1,283$1,283
-49.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,925COP 5.9M
$2,703$2,703
-28.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,048COP 3.2M
$2,003$2,003
-47.68%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,123COP 12.7M
$2,972$2,972
38.72%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,697COP 5.2M
$2,463$2,463
-31.07%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Madison Heights, MI
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$655COP 2.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.94
5.94
84.18%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: September 7, 2026
Last update for Madison Heights, MI: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,071 in Medellin and $1,513 in Madison Heights, MI. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $48.00 in Medellin vs $60.0 in Madison Heights, MI for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $300 vs $384 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 53% 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 $2,462 in Medellin and $3,762 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: $1,071 in Medellin versus $1,513 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 $803 in Medellin versus $1,107 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 $48.00 versus $60.0 in Madison Heights, MI. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $2,500/month in Medellin or in Madison Heights, MI?
At $1,641 in Medellin versus $2,508 in Madison Heights, MI, a $2,500 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 $1,641 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 53% less than in Madison Heights, MI. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.