🙂A single person spends $1,031 per month in Medellin vs $2,653 in Newport News, VA, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,599 per month in Medellin vs $3,957 in Newport News, VA, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,167 per month in Medellin vs $5,260 in Newport News, VA, rent included.
🙂Medellin is about 61% cheaper than Newport News, VA, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Medellin sits 23% below the global median, while Newport News, VA is 99% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Newport News, VA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.16COP 20.1K
$27.38$27.38
-77.50%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.60COP 106.1K
$61.1$61.1
-46.64%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.34COP 23.9K
$10.49$10.49
-30.03%
Cappuccino
$1.72COP 5,600
$5.79$5.79
-70.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05COP 3,420
$2.86$2.86
-63.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77COP 2,515
$2.34$2.34
-67.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.69COP 5,488
$4.90$4.90
-65.51%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.17COP 10.3K
$7.54$7.54
-57.96%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Newport News, VA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COP 3,423
$1.05$1.05
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.30COP 4,236
$3.83$3.83
-66.06%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.40COP 4,544
$2.94$2.94
-52.38%
Eggs
$2.16COP 7,047
$2.99$2.99
-27.76%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.39COP 14.3K
$9.68$9.68
-54.65%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COP 19.1K
$15.37$15.37
-61.74%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.64COP 28.1K
$19.22$19.22
-55.05%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28COP 7,426
$6.03$6.03
-62.19%
Banana(1kg)
$1.11COP 3,604
$1.07$1.07
3.74%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COP 4,983
$5.12$5.12
-70.12%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.35COP 4,410
$4.37$4.37
-69.11%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,674
$2.75$2.75
-58.91%
Onion(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,692
$3.28$3.28
-65.55%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COP 2,753
$2.08$2.08
-59.13%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COP 2,975
$2.55$2.55
-64.31%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.34COP 7,630
$7.71$7.71
-69.65%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.37COP 40.3K
$15.92$15.92
-22.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COP 3,909
$1.78$1.78
-32.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49COP 8,104
$4.61$4.61
-45.99%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Newport News, VA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COP 2,728
$2.45$2.45
-65.71%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.57COP 132.1K
$55.5$55.5
-26.93%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COP 4,623
$3.91$3.91
-63.68%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.92COP 6,235
$1.31$1.31
46.56%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.66COP 24.9K
$29.61$29.61
-74.13%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,223
$0.87$0.87
13.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.0KCOP 58.7M
$30.4K$30.4K
-40.67%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.6KCOP 86.7M
$25.9K$25.9K
2.80%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Newport News, VA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$80.8COP 263.1K
$205$205
-60.56%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.95COP 32.4K
$59.6$59.6
-83.31%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.18COP 78.7K
$68.3$68.3
-64.59%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Newport News, VA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.08COP 81.7K
$40.31$40.31
-37.78%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.15COP 62.3K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.98COP 13.0K
$13.43$13.43
-70.36%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Newport News, VA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$305COP 993.5K
$2,685$2,685
-88.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,059COP 19.7M
$41.0K$41.0K
-85.21%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Newport News, VA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.1COP 189.2K
$42.06$42.06
38.21%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.20COP 104.8K
$50.8$50.8
-36.59%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101COP 327.9K
$104$104
-2.93%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COP 350.8K
$103$103
4.56%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Newport News, VA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$477COP 1.6M
$1,452$1,452
-67.19%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$376COP 1.2M
$1,220$1,220
-69.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$845COP 2.7M
$2,237$2,237
-62.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$730COP 2.4M
$2,247$2,247
-67.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,215COP 10.5M
$2,300$2,300
39.83%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,372COP 4.5M
$2,245$2,245
-38.87%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Newport News, VA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$617COP 2.0M
$3,928$3,928
-84.30%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.45
108.22%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 12, 2026
Last update for Newport News, VA: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $477 in Medellin versus $1,452 in Newport News, VA. 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 537% higher in Newport News, VA, 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 $61.0 in Newport News, VA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $193 vs $419 – 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 Newport News, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Newport News, VA cheaper than Medellin?
Yes – Newport News, VA is pricier by about 157%, 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 $1,546 per month in Medellin and $3,979 in Newport News, VA. 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 Newport News, VA?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin and $61.0 in Newport News, VA. 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 Newport News, VA?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,031 in Medellin and $2,653 in Newport News, VA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Newport News, VA?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,031, than in Newport News, VA at $2,653. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Newport News, VA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Newport News, VA 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, Newport News, VA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.