πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $2,678 in Marathon, FL.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $3,945 in Marathon, FL.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $5,212 in Marathon, FL.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 62% less than in Marathon, FL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 24% below, Marathon, FL is 99% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Marathon, FL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.6K
$19.93$19.93
-70.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 115.1K
$75.9$75.9
-56.10%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.0K
$10.12$10.12
-28.56%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,629
$6.17$6.17
-73.58%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,782
$2.80$2.80
-61.07%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,522
$1.95$1.95
-62.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,003
$6.07$6.07
-71.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.2K
$9.65$9.65
-66.53%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Marathon, FL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,625
$1.06$1.06
-0.94%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,469
$2.86$2.86
-54.90%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,570
$5.22$5.22
-74.71%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,846
$4.73$4.73
-52.01%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.0K
$21.19$21.19
-79.47%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.3K
$14.19$14.19
-58.56%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 29.7K
$15.48$15.48
-44.38%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,763
$4.56$4.56
-50.66%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,695
$1.64$1.64
-34.76%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,267
$5.60$5.60
-72.86%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,914
$5.71$5.71
-75.13%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,042
$3.74$3.74
-68.72%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,035
$3.75$3.75
-68.80%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,064
$1.98$1.98
-55.05%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,114
$1.97$1.97
-54.31%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,757
$8.40$8.40
-73.21%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.1K
$12.82$12.82
-13.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,936
$1.68$1.68
-32.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,216
$2.02$2.02
17.82%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Marathon, FL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,886
$1.98$1.98
-57.58%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 144.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,861
$2.45$2.45
-42.45%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,567
$1.63$1.63
16.56%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 26.8K
$29.62$29.62
-73.84%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,473
$0.85$0.85
18.82%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 60.7M
$35.7K$35.7K
-50.71%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 91.5M
$28.0K$28.0K
-5.30%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Marathon, FL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 289.1K
$259$259
-67.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 32.6K
$46.76$46.76
-79.79%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 83.3K
$60.8$60.8
-60.31%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Marathon, FL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 87.4K
$42.74$42.74
-40.78%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.1K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.2K
$15.03$15.03
-72.72%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Marathon, FL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$1,120$1,120
-72.14%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.7M
$23.8K$23.8K
-74.80%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Marathon, FL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 200.5K
$52.9$52.9
9.80%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 112.5K
$34.39$34.39
-5.32%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 344.1K
$92.9$92.9
7.29%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 375.0K
$116$116
-6.82%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Marathon, FL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$1,581$1,581
-69.49%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$1,380$1,380
-72.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$2,605$2,605
-67.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$2,207$2,207
-67.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.8M
$3,041$3,041
-6.62%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.2M
$2,154$2,154
-43.22%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Marathon, FL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.53
105.67%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Marathon, FL: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $482 in Medellin and $1,581 in Marathon, FL. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $76.0 in Marathon, FL for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $432 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 Marathon, FL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and Marathon, FL?
Medellin and Marathon, FL differ by about 163% in total monthly costs ($1,017 vs $2,678 including rent). Medellin is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Marathon, FL?
You'd need roughly $1,525 in Medellin and $4,017 in Marathon, FL 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 do apartment prices compare in Medellin and Marathon, FL?
Rent for a central apartment: $482 in Medellin versus $1,581 in Marathon, FL. 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 128% higher in Marathon, FL. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Marathon, FL?
All in, you'll spend $1,017 per month in Medellin versus $2,678 in Marathon, FL β a 163% 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 $1,017 in Medellin versus $2,678 in Marathon, FL, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Marathon, FL. 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 Marathon, FL?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Medellin or Marathon, FL?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 163% less than in Marathon, FL. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.