🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,687 in Medellin versus $2,957 in Manassas, VA.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,535 in Medellin versus $4,306 in Manassas, VA.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,383 in Medellin versus $5,654 in Manassas, VA.
🌍Living in Medellin costs roughly 43% less than in Manassas, VA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Medellin23% above, Manassas, VA116% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Manassas, VA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.89COP 24.2K
$24.83$24.83
-68.22%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.53COP 136.5K
$79.5$79.5
-44.01%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.29COP 28.5K
$12.69$12.69
-26.79%
Cappuccino
$2.90COP 8,874
$6.71$6.71
-56.78%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.81COP 5,541
$2.73$2.73
-33.70%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.55COP 4,741
$2.26$2.26
-31.42%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.25COP 9,962
$6.10$6.10
-46.72%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.88COP 18.0K
$8.55$8.55
-31.23%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Manassas, VA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38COP 4,230
$0.99$0.99
39.39%
White Bread(500g)
$2.45COP 7,517
$3.50$3.50
-30.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.51COP 4,617
$7.17$7.17
-78.94%
Eggs
$2.78COP 8,516
$5.34$5.34
-47.94%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.05COP 27.7K
$19.04$19.04
-52.47%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.65COP 32.6K
$14.58$14.58
-26.95%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.63COP 44.8K
$21.58$21.58
-32.21%
Apples(1kg)
$3.97COP 12.2K
$7.91$7.91
-49.81%
Banana(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,219
$2.34$2.34
-41.03%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.30COP 7,056
$8.15$8.15
-71.78%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.02COP 6,185
$6.96$6.96
-70.98%
Potato(1kg)
$2.09COP 6,390
$5.65$5.65
-63.01%
Onion(1kg)
$1.63COP 4,996
$4.08$4.08
-60.05%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.08COP 3,313
$2.36$2.36
-54.24%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.25COP 3,843
$3.08$3.08
-59.42%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.03COP 12.4K
$9.36$9.36
-56.94%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.47COP 41.3K
$13.81$13.81
-2.46%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.60COP 4,904
$2.16$2.16
-25.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00COP 9,189
$3.78$3.78
-20.63%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Manassas, VA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.18COP 3,611
$4.87$4.87
-75.77%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$79.9COP 244.9K
$98.3$98.3
-18.69%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.61COP 4,920
$2.95$2.95
-45.42%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.13COP 6,533
$1.42$1.42
50.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.52COP 26.1K
$20.02$20.02
-57.44%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.35COP 4,142
$0.96$0.96
40.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.3KCOP 86.8M
$36.3K$36.3K
-21.91%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.7KCOP 109.4M
$24.8K$24.8K
43.68%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Manassas, VA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$151COP 463.8K
$210$210
-28.00%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.10COP 40.1K
$52.0$52.0
-74.80%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.30COP 99.0K
$60.3$60.3
-46.45%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Manassas, VA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$46.33COP 141.9K
$39.67$39.67
16.79%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.26COP 52.9K
$20.27$20.27
-14.85%
Cinema Ticket
$6.43COP 19.7K
$17.76$17.76
-63.80%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Manassas, VA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$835COP 2.6M
$1,926$1,926
-56.64%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,887COP 27.2M
$11.9K$11.9K
-25.10%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Manassas, VA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$89.3COP 273.7K
$46.73$46.73
91.16%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.3COP 169.5K
$47.93$47.93
15.40%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$137COP 418.5K
$103$103
32.82%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COP 335.1K
$105$105
4.08%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Manassas, VA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$952COP 2.9M
$1,579$1,579
-39.69%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$668COP 2.0M
$1,308$1,308
-48.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,020COP 6.2M
$2,854$2,854
-29.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,148COP 3.5M
$2,201$2,201
-47.83%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,696COP 11.3M
$2,638$2,638
40.07%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,586COP 4.9M
$2,506$2,506
-36.73%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Manassas, VA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$625COP 1.9M
$4,813$4,813
-87.01%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.43
6.1
70.98%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: August 17, 2026
Last update for Manassas, VA: August 17, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $952 in Medellin and $1,579 in Manassas, VA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Manassas, VA pays 670% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $45.00 in Medellin vs $80.0 in Manassas, VA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $297 vs $528 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 Manassas, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Manassas, VA?
Medellin wins on cost – living expenses run 75% lower than in Manassas, VA. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Medellin the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Medellin or in Manassas, VA?
On paper, salaries run 670% lower in Manassas, VA. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Medellin compared to Manassas, VA?
Rent for a central apartment: $952 in Medellin versus $1,579 in Manassas, VA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Medellin compared to Manassas, VA?
A monthly transit pass in Medellin runs roughly 23% less than in Manassas, VA. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Medellin and in Manassas, VA?
Childcare runs $835 in Medellin versus $1,926 in Manassas, VA. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Can you live on $2,500/month in Medellin or in Manassas, VA?
At $1,687 in Medellin versus $2,957 in Manassas, VA, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Manassas, VA. 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 Manassas, VA?
Both work as nomad bases, but Medellin delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,687 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Medellin hard to pass up.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 75% less than in Manassas, VA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.