🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,003 in Medellin versus $2,025 in Mankato, MN.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,573 in Medellin versus $3,068 in Mankato, MN.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,143 in Medellin versus $4,112 in Mankato, MN.
🌍Living in Medellin costs roughly 50% less than in Mankato, MN, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 25% below, Mankato, MN is 52% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Mankato, MN
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.91COP 18.6K
$16.28$16.28
-63.70%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.96COP 103.8K
$69.4$69.4
-52.47%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.43COP 23.4K
$9.90$9.90
-24.95%
Cappuccino
$1.65COP 5,207
$4.96$4.96
-66.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,468
$2.05$2.05
-46.34%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COP 2,458
$1.69$1.69
-53.85%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,412
$4.90$4.90
-64.90%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COP 10.0K
$6.11$6.11
-47.95%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Mankato, MN
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10COP 3,474
$0.91$0.91
20.88%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COP 3,962
$2.56$2.56
-50.78%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,349
$2.17$2.17
-36.41%
Eggs
$2.18COP 6,858
$3.44$3.44
-36.63%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.49COP 14.1K
$8.48$8.48
-47.05%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.79COP 18.2K
$14.90$14.90
-61.14%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COP 28.2K
$16.87$16.87
-46.83%
Apples(1kg)
$2.32COP 7,308
$4.33$4.33
-46.42%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COP 3,352
$1.64$1.64
-35.37%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COP 4,774
$3.71$3.71
-59.03%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COP 4,270
$3.42$3.42
-60.23%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,552
$4.31$4.31
-73.78%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,689
$3.09$3.09
-62.14%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90COP 2,838
$2.28$2.28
-60.53%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COP 2,823
$2.05$2.05
-56.10%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.23COP 7,034
$12.25$12.25
-81.80%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.12COP 38.2K
$14.73$14.73
-17.72%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 3,743
$1.69$1.69
-29.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COP 7,815
$4.22$4.22
-41.23%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Mankato, MN
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.85COP 2,687
$2.02$2.02
-57.92%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.62COP 131.0K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COP 4,459
$1.99$1.99
-28.64%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.95COP 6,141
$1.36$1.36
43.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.89COP 24.8K
$20.06$20.06
-60.67%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,118
$0.78$0.78
26.92%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOP 55.4M
$26.2K$26.2K
-32.83%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 84.4M
$24.1K$24.1K
11.24%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Mankato, MN
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.0COP 261.4K
$128$128
-35.34%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.70COP 30.5K
$50.9$50.9
-80.94%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.52COP 74.1K
$76.1$76.1
-69.10%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Mankato, MN
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.26COP 79.5K
$39.79$39.79
-36.52%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.10COP 60.1K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.95COP 12.4K
$14.89$14.89
-73.47%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Mankato, MN
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$316COP 994.2K
$1,377$1,377
-77.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,975COP 18.8M
$11.8K$11.8K
-49.35%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Mankato, MN
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0COP 188.9K
$64.1$64.1
-6.35%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 100.2K
$35.32$35.32
-9.91%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102COP 320.1K
$72.5$72.5
40.33%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 338.3K
$143$143
-25.05%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Mankato, MN
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$475COP 1.5M
$982$982
-51.65%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$374COP 1.2M
$905$905
-58.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$849COP 2.7M
$2,617$2,617
-67.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$719COP 2.3M
$1,493$1,493
-51.81%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,265COP 10.3M
$1,611$1,611
102.67%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,441COP 4.5M
$1,614$1,614
-10.75%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Mankato, MN
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$624COP 2.0M
$4,355$4,355
-85.66%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.61
103.18%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Last update for Mankato, MN: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $475 in Medellin and $982 in Mankato, MN. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Mankato, MN pays 597% 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: $33.00 in Medellin vs $69.0 in Mankato, MN for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $193 vs $370 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 Mankato, MN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and in Mankato, MN?
Medellin and Mankato, MN differ by about 102% in total monthly costs ($1,003 vs $2,025 including rent). Medellin is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 597% lower in Mankato, MN. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Medellin and in Mankato, MN?
Rent for a central apartment: $475 in Medellin versus $982 in Mankato, MN. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 92% higher in Mankato, MN. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Mankato, MN?
All in, you'll spend $1,003 per month in Medellin versus $2,025 in Mankato, MN – a 102% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,003 in Medellin versus $2,025 in Mankato, MN, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Mankato, MN. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Mankato, MN?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Medellin or Mankato, MN safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Mankato, MN are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Medellin or Mankato, MN?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 102% less than in Mankato, MN. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.