πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $2,612 in Manchester, TN.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $3,623 in Manchester, TN.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $4,635 in Manchester, TN.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 61% less than in Manchester, TN, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 24% below, Manchester, TN is 94% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Manchester, TN
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$13.16$13.16
-54.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$31.64$31.64
5.34%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$9.08$9.08
-20.37%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$4.27$4.27
-61.83%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$2.49$2.49
-56.22%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$2.02$2.02
-63.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$6.43$6.43
-72.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$4.10$4.10
-21.22%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Manchester, TN
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$0.88$0.88
19.32%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$3.84$3.84
-66.41%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$4.56$4.56
-71.05%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$4.58$4.58
-50.44%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$5.66$5.66
-23.14%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$5.41$5.41
8.69%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$11.08$11.08
-22.29%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$4.83$4.83
-53.42%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.68$1.68
-36.31%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$4.46$4.46
-65.92%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$4.01$4.01
-64.59%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$3.74$3.74
-68.72%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$3.39$3.39
-65.49%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$2.37$2.37
-62.45%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$2.45$2.45
-63.27%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$4.61$4.61
-51.19%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$14.78$14.78
-25.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.74$1.74
-34.48%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$1.58$1.58
50.63%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Manchester, TN
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$1.95$1.95
-56.92%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$2.92$2.92
-51.71%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$1.53$1.53
24.18%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$40.15$40.15
-80.70%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$0.86$0.86
17.44%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$33.0K$33.0K
-46.71%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$25.4K$25.4K
4.25%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Manchester, TN
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$282$282
-70.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$54.5$54.5
-82.66%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$60.4$60.4
-60.07%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Manchester, TN
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$43.32$43.32
-41.57%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$15.96$15.96
-74.31%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Manchester, TN
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$1,330$1,330
-76.55%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$29.8K$29.8K
-79.92%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Manchester, TN
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$68.5$68.5
-15.25%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$39.56$39.56
-17.69%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$99.8$99.8
-0.18%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$126$126
-13.80%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Manchester, TN
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$1,612$1,612
-70.08%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$1,372$1,372
-72.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$2,647$2,647
-68.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$2,178$2,178
-66.81%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$2,364$2,364
20.12%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$2,693$2,693
-54.59%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Manchester, TN
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.56
104.73%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Manchester, TN: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $482 in Medellin and $1,612 in Manchester, TN. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $32.00 in Manchester, TN. Groceries flip the comparison at $190 vs $331, with Medellin cheaper for home cooking.
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 Manchester, TN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Manchester, TN cheaper than Medellin?
Medellin is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 157% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,525 in Medellin and $3,918 in Manchester, TN 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.
What is the rent difference between Medellin and Manchester, TN?
Rent for a central apartment: $482 in Medellin versus $1,612 in Manchester, TN. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Manchester, TN?
Supermarket bills run roughly 75% higher in Manchester, TN. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Manchester, TN?
All in, you'll spend $1,017 per month in Medellin versus $2,612 in Manchester, TN β a 157% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Manchester, TN?
At $1,017 in Medellin versus $2,612 in Manchester, TN, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Manchester, TN. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or Manchester, TN more family-friendly?
For families, Medellin is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Manchester, TN, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 157% less than in Manchester, TN. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.