🙂A single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $2,975 in Portsmouth, NH, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $4,151 in Portsmouth, NH, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $5,327 in Portsmouth, NH, rent included.
🙂Medellin is about 65% cheaper than Portsmouth, NH, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Medellin sits 23% below the global median, while Portsmouth, NH is 122% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Portsmouth, NH
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COP 21.5K
$18.75$18.75
-68.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COP 119.1K
$102$102
-67.84%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COP 26.2K
$9.19$9.19
-21.65%
Cappuccino
$1.70COP 6,186
$4.60$4.60
-63.04%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,996
$2.71$2.71
-59.41%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COP 2,625
$1.96$1.96
-63.27%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COP 6,067
$5.90$5.90
-71.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COP 11.3K
$7.40$7.40
-58.11%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Portsmouth, NH
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COP 3,837
$1.03$1.03
2.91%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COP 4,531
$3.34$3.34
-62.57%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COP 5,060
$3.14$3.14
-55.73%
Eggs
$2.26COP 8,229
$2.83$2.83
-20.14%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COP 15.8K
$10.87$10.87
-60.17%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COP 21.2K
$9.61$9.61
-39.23%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COP 32.1K
$16.70$16.70
-47.13%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COP 8,159
$4.90$4.90
-54.29%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COP 3,911
$2.24$2.24
-51.79%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COP 5,563
$5.97$5.97
-74.37%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COP 4,987
$5.92$5.92
-76.86%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 4,109
$4.51$4.51
-74.94%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COP 4,067
$4.52$4.52
-75.22%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COP 3,080
$3.07$3.07
-72.31%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COP 3,305
$2.20$2.20
-58.64%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COP 8,477
$11.03$11.03
-78.88%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COP 40.5K
$15.28$15.28
-27.16%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 4,342
$1.68$1.68
-29.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COP 8,617
$1.96$1.96
20.92%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Portsmouth, NH
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COP 2,859
$1.53$1.53
-48.37%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COP 149.6K
$51.5$51.5
-20.14%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COP 5,223
$3.88$3.88
-62.89%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COP 6,952
$1.76$1.76
8.52%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COP 29.2K
$28.97$28.97
-72.32%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COP 3,410
$0.88$0.88
6.82%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOP 65.2M
$29.8K$29.8K
-39.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 97.4M
$26.2K$26.2K
2.28%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Portsmouth, NH
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COP 305.4K
$319$319
-73.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COP 34.9K
$65.1$65.1
-85.26%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COP 87.9K
$65.3$65.3
-63.00%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Portsmouth, NH
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COP 94.1K
$24.77$24.77
4.48%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COP 69.3K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COP 14.2K
$12.19$12.19
-67.84%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Portsmouth, NH
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COP 1.1M
$1,481$1,481
-79.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COP 21.5M
$23.4K$23.4K
-74.75%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Portsmouth, NH
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COP 210.6K
$24.70$24.70
134.45%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 115.7K
$33.08$33.08
-3.81%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COP 363.3K
$66.3$66.3
50.66%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 389.7K
$83.0$83.0
29.12%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Portsmouth, NH
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COP 1.8M
$2,143$2,143
-77.29%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COP 1.3M
$1,616$1,616
-77.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COP 3.0M
$4,190$4,190
-80.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COP 2.6M
$2,407$2,407
-70.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COP 10.6M
$2,668$2,668
9.65%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COP 5.1M
$1,918$1,918
-26.65%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Portsmouth, NH
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COP 2.0M
$6,068$6,068
-91.01%
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: April 27, 2026
Last update for Portsmouth, NH: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $487 in Medellin versus $2,143 in Portsmouth, NH. 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 1012% higher in Portsmouth, NH, 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 $102 in Portsmouth, NH. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $394 – 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 Portsmouth, NH: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Portsmouth, NH cheaper than Medellin?
Yes – Portsmouth, NH is pricier by about 188%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. 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 $1,550 per month in Medellin and $4,463 in Portsmouth, NH. 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 Portsmouth, NH?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin and $102 in Portsmouth, NH. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Portsmouth, NH?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,034 in Medellin and $2,975 in Portsmouth, NH. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Portsmouth, NH?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,034, than in Portsmouth, NH at $2,975. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Portsmouth, NH it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Portsmouth, NH 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 safer, Medellin or Portsmouth, NH?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
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, Portsmouth, NH makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.