๐A single person spends $1,030 per month in Medellin vs $2,508 in Maricopa, AZ, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $1,586 per month in Medellin vs $3,391 in Maricopa, AZ, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $2,143 per month in Medellin vs $4,273 in Maricopa, AZ, rent included.
๐Medellin is about 59% cheaper than Maricopa, AZ, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Medellin sits 23% below the global median, while Maricopa, AZ is 87% above โ they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Medellin
Maricopa, AZ
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPย 21.2K
$18.70$18.70
-68.34%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.17COPย 118.7K
$74.1$74.1
-55.24%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.25COPย 25.9K
$12.23$12.23
-40.72%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPย 6,137
$5.50$5.50
-68.91%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPย 3,915
$2.89$2.89
-62.28%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77COPย 2,743
$2.32$2.32
-66.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.75COPย 6,254
$5.93$5.93
-70.49%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COPย 11.4K
$7.18$7.18
-55.71%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Maricopa, AZ
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPย 3,792
$0.89$0.89
19.10%
White Bread(500g)
$1.30COPย 4,657
$3.04$3.04
-57.24%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPย 4,926
$5.33$5.33
-74.11%
Eggs
$2.21COPย 7,908
$4.21$4.21
-47.51%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.52COPย 16.2K
$11.07$11.07
-59.17%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.80COPย 20.7K
$11.90$11.90
-51.26%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COPย 32.1K
$14.89$14.89
-39.76%
Apples(1kg)
$2.29COPย 8,182
$4.75$4.75
-51.79%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPย 3,791
$1.96$1.96
-45.92%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.51COPย 5,411
$3.80$3.80
-60.26%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COPย 4,869
$4.07$4.07
-66.58%
Potato(1kg)
$1.16COPย 4,146
$2.39$2.39
-51.46%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPย 4,174
$2.52$2.52
-53.57%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.83COPย 2,960
$1.97$1.97
-57.87%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85COPย 3,043
$2.54$2.54
-66.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.35COPย 8,423
$9.02$9.02
-73.95%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.09COPย 39.7K
$9.17$9.17
20.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.15COPย 4,133
$2.09$2.09
-44.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPย 8,853
$3.45$3.45
-28.41%
๐ Getting Around
Medellin
Maricopa, AZ
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPย 2,827
$1.95$1.95
-59.49%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.85COPย 149.8K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPย 5,140
$2.77$2.77
-48.01%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPย 6,793
$1.41$1.41
34.75%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.70COPย 27.6K
$36.40$36.40
-78.85%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.03COPย 3,680
$0.94$0.94
9.57%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.7KCOPย 63.3M
$30.5K$30.5K
-42.07%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.0KCOPย 96.7M
$25.8K$25.8K
4.55%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Maricopa, AZ
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.4COPย 291.4K
$147$147
-44.60%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.42COPย 33.7K
$70.5$70.5
-86.64%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.77COPย 85.1K
$65.7$65.7
-63.82%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Maricopa, AZ
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.86COPย 92.6K
$42.89$42.89
-39.71%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.34COPย 69.2K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.05COPย 14.5K
$12.84$12.84
-68.46%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Maricopa, AZ
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPย 1.1M
$1,081$1,081
-71.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,067COPย 21.7M
$15.9K$15.9K
-61.87%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Maricopa, AZ
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.9COPย 210.7K
$31.73$31.73
85.50%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.82COPย 117.5K
$25.42$25.42
29.11%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$100COPย 359.6K
$64.8$64.8
55.07%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106COPย 380.3K
$74.8$74.8
42.17%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Maricopa, AZ
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$490COPย 1.8M
$1,573$1,573
-68.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$371COPย 1.3M
$1,341$1,341
-72.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPย 3.0M
$2,604$2,604
-67.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$715COPย 2.6M
$1,672$1,672
-57.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,952COPย 10.6M
$2,730$2,730
8.13%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,394COPย 5.0M
$2,405$2,405
-42.05%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Maricopa, AZ
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$532COPย 1.9M
$8,584$8,584
-93.80%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4
235.75%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 20, 2026
Last update for Maricopa, AZ: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $490 in Medellin versus $1,573 in Maricopa, AZ. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
๐ฐSalaries run about 1513% higher in Maricopa, AZ, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $33 in Medellin versus $74 in Maricopa, AZ. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $372 โ making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Maricopa, AZ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Maricopa, AZ?
Maricopa, AZ costs about 144% more than Medellin, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Medellin vs Maricopa, AZ?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,544 per month in Medellin and $3,762 in Maricopa, AZ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Medellin or Maricopa, AZ?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Medellin, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Medellin vs Maricopa, AZ?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin and $74.0 in Maricopa, AZ. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and cafรฉ pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Medellin or Maricopa, AZ?
Groceries cost about 96% more in Maricopa, AZ, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Medellin or Maricopa, AZ?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,030, than in Maricopa, AZ at $2,508. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Maricopa, AZ it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Maricopa, AZ?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Medellin costs $1,030 versus $2,508 in Maricopa, AZ. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Medellin or Maricopa, AZ?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Maricopa, AZ makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.