πA single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $3,302 in Roseville, CA, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $4,606 in Roseville, CA, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $5,910 in Roseville, CA, rent included.
πMedellin is about 69% cheaper than Roseville, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πMedellin sits 23% below the global median, while Roseville, CA is 147% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Roseville, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.4K
$15.08$15.08
-60.74%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COPΒ 118.2K
$64.3$64.3
-49.09%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COPΒ 26.0K
$10.76$10.76
-33.09%
Cappuccino
$1.70COPΒ 6,140
$5.53$5.53
-69.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,966
$3.22$3.22
-65.84%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COPΒ 2,605
$2.14$2.14
-66.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COPΒ 6,022
$7.06$7.06
-76.35%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COPΒ 11.2K
$9.92$9.92
-68.75%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Roseville, CA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,809
$1.29$1.29
-17.83%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COPΒ 4,497
$4.90$4.90
-74.49%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COPΒ 5,022
$9.96$9.96
-86.04%
Eggs
$2.26COPΒ 8,168
$4.26$4.26
-46.95%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COPΒ 15.6K
$11.14$11.14
-61.13%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COPΒ 21.1K
$15.93$15.93
-63.34%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COPΒ 31.9K
$16.60$16.60
-46.81%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COPΒ 8,099
$6.90$6.90
-67.54%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COPΒ 3,882
$1.93$1.93
-44.04%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COPΒ 5,522
$5.21$5.21
-70.63%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,950
$6.29$6.29
-78.22%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COPΒ 4,078
$2.47$2.47
-54.25%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COPΒ 4,036
$2.25$2.25
-50.22%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COPΒ 3,057
$2.48$2.48
-65.73%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COPΒ 3,281
$2.36$2.36
-61.44%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COPΒ 8,414
$11.86$11.86
-80.35%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COPΒ 40.2K
$15.23$15.23
-26.92%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COPΒ 4,309
$1.74$1.74
-31.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COPΒ 8,553
$6.02$6.02
-60.63%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Roseville, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,838
$3.80$3.80
-79.21%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COPΒ 148.5K
$38.45$38.45
6.97%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,184
$4.88$4.88
-70.49%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COPΒ 6,901
$1.60$1.60
19.37%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COPΒ 28.9K
$28.64$28.64
-72.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COPΒ 3,385
$1.27$1.27
-25.98%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOPΒ 64.7M
$24.2K$24.2K
-25.80%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOPΒ 96.7M
$20.8K$20.8K
29.06%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Roseville, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COPΒ 303.1K
$188$188
-55.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COPΒ 34.7K
$50.9$50.9
-81.12%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COPΒ 87.2K
$59.7$59.7
-59.54%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Roseville, CA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COPΒ 93.4K
$79.7$79.7
-67.52%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COPΒ 68.7K
$38.72$38.72
-50.83%
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COPΒ 14.1K
$15.01$15.01
-73.88%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Roseville, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COPΒ 1.1M
$1,031$1,031
-70.27%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COPΒ 21.4M
$23.6K$23.6K
-74.92%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Roseville, CA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COPΒ 209.1K
$46.90$46.90
23.48%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COPΒ 114.9K
$39.77$39.77
-19.99%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COPΒ 360.6K
$97.9$97.9
2.08%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COPΒ 386.8K
$172$172
-37.83%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Roseville, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COPΒ 1.8M
$1,860$1,860
-73.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COPΒ 1.3M
$1,915$1,915
-80.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COPΒ 3.0M
$2,685$2,685
-69.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COPΒ 2.6M
$2,874$2,874
-75.08%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COPΒ 10.6M
$3,880$3,880
-24.61%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COPΒ 5.1M
$3,848$3,848
-63.44%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Roseville, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COPΒ 2.0M
$5,384$5,384
-89.87%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.67
101.35%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026
Last update for Roseville, CA: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $487 in Medellin versus $1,860 in Roseville, CA. 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 887% higher in Roseville, CA, 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 $64.0 in Roseville, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $482 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 Roseville, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roseville, CA cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Roseville, CA is pricier by about 219%, 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 $4,953 in Roseville, CA. 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 Roseville, CA?
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Roseville, CA?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,034 in Medellin and $3,302 in Roseville, CA. 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 Roseville, CA?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,034, than in Roseville, CA at $3,302. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Roseville, CA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Roseville, CA 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 safer, Medellin or Roseville, CA?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β 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, Roseville, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.