πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $2,857 in Mount Vernon, WA, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $3,967 in Mount Vernon, WA, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $5,077 in Mount Vernon, WA, rent included.
πMedellin is about 65% cheaper than Mount Vernon, WA, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πMedellin sits 24% below the global median, while Mount Vernon, WA is 113% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Mount Vernon, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$16.41$16.41
-63.50%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.2K
$58.9$58.9
-44.19%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$12.44$12.44
-43.01%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,105
$5.75$5.75
-70.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,918
$2.22$2.22
-50.45%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,776
$1.71$1.71
-54.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,987
$7.57$7.57
-77.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$12.15$12.15
-74.73%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Mount Vernon, WA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,899
$1.11$1.11
-1.80%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,500
$4.29$4.29
-70.63%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,914
$8.03$8.03
-82.81%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,813
$4.94$4.94
-55.67%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$11.16$11.16
-60.57%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$6.72$6.72
-16.22%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.7K
$8.30$8.30
7.11%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,334
$5.06$5.06
-53.75%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,771
$1.71$1.71
-38.01%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,365
$4.31$4.31
-65.20%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,915
$5.04$5.04
-72.62%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,104
$3.37$3.37
-65.88%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,148
$1.93$1.93
-39.90%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,176
$1.93$1.93
-53.89%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,992
$1.97$1.97
-57.36%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,131
$5.83$5.83
-60.89%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$18.17$18.17
-41.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,276
$1.71$1.71
-29.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,809
$2.56$2.56
-3.52%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Mount Vernon, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,051
$1.98$1.98
-56.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.6K
$29.43$29.43
40.67%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,255
$2.53$2.53
-41.90%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,997
$1.67$1.67
17.37%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$30.20$30.20
-74.37%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,403
$1.06$1.06
-10.38%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.6M
$25.4K$25.4K
-28.50%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.4M
$20.7K$20.7K
27.69%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Mount Vernon, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.2K
$230$230
-64.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$45.43$45.43
-79.09%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.4K
$79.1$79.1
-69.36%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Mount Vernon, WA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.3K
$43.46$43.46
-40.43%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$15.19$15.19
-74.13%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Mount Vernon, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$2,108$2,108
-85.32%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$31.8K$31.8K
-81.27%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Mount Vernon, WA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.1K
$43.24$43.24
35.66%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.3K
$44.42$44.42
-27.17%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.7K
$56.4$56.4
81.95%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 386.5K
$80.5$80.5
34.68%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Mount Vernon, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$1,679$1,679
-71.64%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$1,569$1,569
-75.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$2,670$2,670
-68.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$2,430$2,430
-70.22%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
$2,684$2,684
3.97%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$2,324$2,324
-47.88%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Mount Vernon, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$3,837$3,837
-86.66%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.38
110.50%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Mount Vernon, WA: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $1,679 in Mount Vernon, WA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 650% higher in Mount Vernon, WA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $59.0 in Mount Vernon, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $371 β 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 Mount Vernon, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mount Vernon, WA cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Mount Vernon, WA is pricier by about 182%, 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 $1,519 per month in Medellin and $4,286 in Mount Vernon, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β 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 Mount Vernon, WA?
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Mount Vernon, WA?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $2,857 in Mount Vernon, WA. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Mount Vernon, WA?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,013, than in Mount Vernon, WA at $2,857. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Mount Vernon, WA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Mount Vernon, WA more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Medellin β 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, Mount Vernon, WA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.