πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $624 in Nantong, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $1,028 in Nantong, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $1,432 in Nantong, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 62% more than Nantong, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Medellin and Nantong are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Nantong53% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Nantong
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$2.72Β₯18.41
120.22%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.2K
$22.19Β₯150
48.08%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$4.56Β₯30.84
55.48%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,105
$2.54Β₯17.17
-32.68%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,918
$0.41Β₯2.79
168.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,776
$0.26Β₯1.77
200.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,987
$0.68Β₯4.57
147.06%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$2.03Β₯13.76
51.23%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Nantong
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,899
$1.53Β₯10.39
-28.76%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,500
$1.42Β₯9.60
-11.27%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,914
$0.60Β₯4.09
130.00%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,813
$1.47Β₯9.92
48.98%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$6.53Β₯44.22
-32.62%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$2.81Β₯19.00
100.36%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.7K
$9.06Β₯61.3
-1.88%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,334
$2.16Β₯14.64
8.33%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,771
$1.39Β₯9.38
-23.74%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,365
$1.58Β₯10.71
-5.06%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,915
$1.20Β₯8.13
15.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,104
$0.62Β₯4.23
85.48%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,148
$0.90Β₯6.07
28.89%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,176
$0.73Β₯4.95
21.92%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,992
$0.51Β₯3.48
64.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,131
$3.07Β₯20.80
-25.73%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$8.73Β₯59.1
21.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,276
$0.88Β₯5.97
36.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,809
$1.51Β₯10.23
63.58%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Nantong
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,051
$0.22Β₯1.49
290.91%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.6K
$20.77Β₯141
99.33%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,255
$1.49Β₯10.10
-1.34%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,997
$0.28Β₯1.91
600.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$8.56Β₯58.0
-9.58%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,403
$1.14Β₯7.74
-16.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.6M
$16.9KΒ₯114.6K
7.07%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.4M
$14.7KΒ₯99.5K
80.13%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Nantong
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.2K
$39.15Β₯265
110.09%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$8.14Β₯55.1
16.71%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.4K
$11.20Β₯75.8
116.34%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Nantong
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.3K
$41.80Β₯283
-38.06%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.7K
$11.10Β₯75.1
71.17%
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$5.42Β₯36.69
-27.49%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Nantong
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$185Β₯1,251
67.47%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$11.2KΒ₯76.1K
-46.96%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Nantong
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.1K
$41.98Β₯284
39.73%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.3K
$33.36Β₯226
-3.03%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.7K
$60.8Β₯411
68.78%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 386.5K
$82.7Β₯560
31.10%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Nantong
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$209Β₯1,412
128.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$137Β₯926
176.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$729Β₯4,934
14.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$322Β₯2,178
124.92%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
$3,723Β₯25.2K
-25.04%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$2,384Β₯16.1K
-49.19%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Nantong
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$1,297Β₯8,779
-60.54%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
3.87
247.03%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for Nantong: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $209 in Nantong. 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 153% higher in Nantong, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $22.00 in Nantong. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $168 β making Nantong 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 Nantong: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nantong cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 62%, 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 $1,519 per month in Medellin and $936 in Nantong. 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 Nantong, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Nantong?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,013 in Medellin and $624 in Nantong. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for Medellin or Nantong?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Nantong, where all-in costs run around $624, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Nantong it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Nantong more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Nantong 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 Nantong. 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.