🙂A single person spends $1,018 per month in Medellin vs $2,698 in Meridian, MS, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,609 per month in Medellin vs $4,001 in Meridian, MS, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,200 per month in Medellin vs $5,305 in Meridian, MS, rent included.
🙂Medellin is about 62% cheaper than Meridian, MS, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Medellin sits 24% below the global median, while Meridian, MS is 102% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Meridian, MS
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.93COP 19.1K
$26.38$26.38
-77.52%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.12COP 106.4K
$123$123
-73.15%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.12COP 22.9K
$12.19$12.19
-41.59%
Cappuccino
$1.71COP 5,480
$5.36$5.36
-68.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05COP 3,370
$1.95$1.95
-46.15%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COP 2,321
$2.13$2.13
-66.20%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,524
$5.93$5.93
-70.99%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.17COP 10.2K
$7.77$7.77
-59.20%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Meridian, MS
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COP 3,422
$0.94$0.94
12.77%
White Bread(500g)
$1.31COP 4,209
$3.99$3.99
-67.17%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.33COP 4,273
$1.97$1.97
-32.49%
Eggs
$2.28COP 7,328
$3.86$3.86
-40.93%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.42COP 14.2K
$14.75$14.75
-70.03%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.92COP 19.0K
$8.87$8.87
-33.26%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.64COP 27.8K
$14.45$14.45
-40.21%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COP 7,535
$3.10$3.10
-24.52%
Banana(1kg)
$1.10COP 3,541
$1.13$1.13
-2.65%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.47COP 4,718
$2.78$2.78
-47.12%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,433
$4.32$4.32
-68.06%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,769
$1.96$1.96
-40.31%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,760
$3.25$3.25
-64.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90COP 2,902
$2.11$2.11
-57.35%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COP 2,704
$2.92$2.92
-71.23%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COP 7,480
$7.01$7.01
-66.76%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.92COP 38.3K
$16.91$16.91
-29.51%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.15COP 3,688
$2.09$2.09
-44.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42COP 7,780
$3.58$3.58
-32.40%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Meridian, MS
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COP 2,698
$2.03$2.03
-58.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.83COP 131.2K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COP 4,535
$3.42$3.42
-58.77%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COP 6,152
$1.46$1.46
30.82%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.83COP 25.1K
$34.92$34.92
-77.58%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COP 3,033
$0.71$0.71
32.39%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.8KCOP 57.3M
$34.4K$34.4K
-48.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.1KCOP 87.0M
$28.7K$28.7K
-5.53%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Meridian, MS
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.3COP 267.5K
$237$237
-64.85%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.66COP 31.0K
$58.4$58.4
-83.46%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.22COP 77.8K
$69.7$69.7
-65.24%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Meridian, MS
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.22COP 81.1K
$43.71$43.71
-42.30%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.33COP 62.1K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.07COP 13.1K
$13.14$13.14
-69.03%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Meridian, MS
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$307COP 985.2K
$607$607
-49.51%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,981COP 19.2M
$10.2K$10.2K
-41.23%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Meridian, MS
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0COP 192.6K
$54.4$54.4
10.20%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.65COP 104.9K
$41.21$41.21
-20.77%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101COP 324.8K
$75.5$75.5
33.81%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COP 347.2K
$115$115
-5.83%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Meridian, MS
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COP 1.5M
$1,579$1,579
-69.86%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COP 1.2M
$1,341$1,341
-71.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$816COP 2.6M
$2,676$2,676
-69.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$707COP 2.3M
$2,203$2,203
-67.89%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,190COP 10.2M
$2,342$2,342
36.17%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,446COP 4.6M
$2,264$2,264
-36.10%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Meridian, MS
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$622COP 2.0M
$4,141$4,141
-84.99%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.57
104.41%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 20, 2026
Last update for Meridian, MS: July 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $1,579 in Meridian, MS. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 566% higher in Meridian, MS, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $123 in Meridian, MS. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $192 vs $367 – 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 Meridian, MS: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Meridian, MS cheaper than Medellin?
Yes – Meridian, MS is pricier by about 165%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,527 per month in Medellin and $4,046 in Meridian, MS. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
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.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or in Meridian, MS?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin and $123 in Meridian, MS. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and in Meridian, MS?
Groceries cost about 91% more in Meridian, MS, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Meridian, MS?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,018, than in Meridian, MS at $2,698. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Meridian, MS it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Meridian, MS more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Medellin – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Meridian, MS makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.