😐A single person spends $1,003 per month in Medellin vs $687 in Mianyang, Sichuan, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,573 per month in Medellin vs $1,061 in Mianyang, Sichuan, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,143 per month in Medellin vs $1,435 in Mianyang, Sichuan, rent included.
😐Medellin costs about 46% more than Mianyang, Sichuan, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Medellin and Mianyang, Sichuan are more affordable than the global median – Medellin25% lower, Mianyang, Sichuan48% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Mianyang, Sichuan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.91COP 18.4K
$2.85¥19.23
107.37%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.96COP 102.7K
$16.59¥112
98.67%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.43COP 23.1K
$4.75¥31.99
56.42%
Cappuccino
$1.65COP 5,153
$2.84¥19.17
-41.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,432
$0.44¥2.96
150.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COP 2,433
$0.29¥1.96
168.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,356
$1.14¥7.69
50.88%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COP 9,904
$2.14¥14.43
48.60%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Mianyang, Sichuan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10COP 3,439
$1.36¥9.14
-19.12%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COP 3,921
$1.44¥9.73
-12.50%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,304
$0.90¥6.08
53.33%
Eggs
$2.18COP 6,788
$1.87¥12.60
16.58%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.49COP 14.0K
$13.88¥93.6
-67.65%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.79COP 18.0K
$3.42¥23.06
69.30%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COP 27.9K
$11.16¥75.2
-19.62%
Apples(1kg)
$2.32COP 7,232
$1.86¥12.56
24.73%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COP 3,318
$1.17¥7.90
-9.40%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COP 4,725
$1.44¥9.69
5.56%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COP 4,226
$1.07¥7.19
27.10%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,515
$0.65¥4.36
73.85%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,651
$0.76¥5.14
53.95%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90COP 2,809
$0.59¥3.96
52.54%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COP 2,794
$0.62¥4.16
45.16%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.23COP 6,961
$3.33¥22.42
-33.03%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.12COP 37.8K
$5.53¥37.27
119.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 3,704
$0.84¥5.66
41.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COP 7,735
$1.22¥8.22
103.28%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Mianyang, Sichuan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.85COP 2,660
$0.27¥1.80
214.81%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.62COP 129.7K
$16.67¥112
149.67%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COP 4,413
$1.01¥6.79
40.59%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.95COP 6,078
$0.24¥1.62
712.50%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.89COP 24.6K
$4.27¥28.77
84.78%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,086
$1.17¥7.88
-15.38%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOP 54.8M
$18.7K¥125.8K
-5.72%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 83.5M
$16.1K¥108.2K
66.92%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Mianyang, Sichuan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.0COP 258.7K
$44.43¥299
86.83%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.70COP 30.2K
$6.29¥42.38
54.21%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.52COP 73.3K
$11.58¥78.0
103.11%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Mianyang, Sichuan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.26COP 78.7K
$41.30¥278
-38.84%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.10COP 59.5K
$14.05¥94.7
35.94%
Cinema Ticket
$3.95COP 12.3K
$5.15¥34.72
-23.30%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Mianyang, Sichuan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$316COP 984.0K
$341¥2,295
-7.27%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,975COP 18.6M
$12.5K¥84.1K
-52.09%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Mianyang, Sichuan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0COP 187.0K
$37.71¥254
59.11%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 99.1K
$38.04¥256
-16.35%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102COP 316.8K
$55.5¥374
83.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 334.8K
$49.98¥337
114.99%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Mianyang, Sichuan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$475COP 1.5M
$281¥1,897
68.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$374COP 1.2M
$189¥1,272
98.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$849COP 2.6M
$595¥4,012
42.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$719COP 2.2M
$366¥2,470
96.31%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,265COP 10.2M
$2,621¥17.7K
24.58%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,441COP 4.5M
$1,751¥11.8K
-17.71%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Mianyang, Sichuan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$624COP 1.9M
$723¥4,877
-13.69%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
3.1
333.23%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Last update for Mianyang, Sichuan: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $475 in Medellin versus $281 in Mianyang, Sichuan. 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 16% higher in Mianyang, Sichuan, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $17.00 in Mianyang, Sichuan. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $193 vs $190 – making Mianyang, Sichuan 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 Mianyang, Sichuan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mianyang, Sichuan cheaper than Medellin?
Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 46%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. 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 $1,504 per month in Medellin and $1,031 in Mianyang, Sichuan. 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 Mianyang, Sichuan, 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 Mianyang, Sichuan?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin and $17.00 in Mianyang, Sichuan. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin and in Mianyang, Sichuan?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,003 in Medellin and $687 in Mianyang, Sichuan. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Mianyang, Sichuan?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Mianyang, Sichuan, where all-in costs run around $687, than in Medellin at $1,003. In Mianyang, Sichuan it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Mianyang, Sichuan more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Mianyang, Sichuan – 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 Mianyang, Sichuan. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Medellin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.