🙂A single person spends $1,003 per month in Medellin vs $2,397 in Sumter, SC, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,573 per month in Medellin vs $3,510 in Sumter, SC, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,143 per month in Medellin vs $4,624 in Sumter, SC, rent included.
🙂Medellin is about 58% cheaper than Sumter, SC, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Medellin sits 25% below the global median, while Sumter, SC is 80% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Sumter, SC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.91COP 18.6K
$18.20$18.20
-67.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.96COP 103.8K
$60.2$60.2
-45.20%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.43COP 23.4K
$10.13$10.13
-26.65%
Cappuccino
$1.65COP 5,207
$5.01$5.01
-67.07%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,468
$1.91$1.91
-42.41%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COP 2,458
$1.39$1.39
-43.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,412
$6.06$6.06
-71.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COP 10.0K
$7.07$7.07
-55.02%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Sumter, SC
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10COP 3,474
$0.82$0.82
34.15%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COP 3,962
$2.77$2.77
-54.51%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,349
$4.35$4.35
-68.28%
Eggs
$2.18COP 6,858
$4.52$4.52
-51.77%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.49COP 14.1K
$4.31$4.31
4.18%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.79COP 18.2K
$7.91$7.91
-26.80%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COP 28.2K
$13.37$13.37
-32.91%
Apples(1kg)
$2.32COP 7,308
$5.59$5.59
-58.50%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COP 3,352
$1.65$1.65
-35.76%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COP 4,774
$6.60$6.60
-76.97%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COP 4,270
$4.00$4.00
-66.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,552
$1.97$1.97
-42.64%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,689
$1.84$1.84
-36.41%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90COP 2,838
$1.73$1.73
-47.98%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COP 2,823
$0.98$0.98
-8.16%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.23COP 7,034
$8.27$8.27
-73.04%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.12COP 38.2K
$15.64$15.64
-22.51%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 3,743
$2.16$2.16
-44.91%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COP 7,815
$1.96$1.96
26.53%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Sumter, SC
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.85COP 2,687
$2.04$2.04
-58.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.62COP 131.0K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COP 4,459
$2.98$2.98
-52.35%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.95COP 6,141
$1.45$1.45
34.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.89COP 24.8K
$30.09$30.09
-73.78%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,118
$0.89$0.89
11.24%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOP 55.4M
$34.4K$34.4K
-48.76%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 84.4M
$24.6K$24.6K
8.82%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Sumter, SC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.0COP 261.4K
$139$139
-40.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.70COP 30.5K
$55.8$55.8
-82.61%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.52COP 74.1K
$44.65$44.65
-47.32%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Sumter, SC
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.26COP 79.5K
$43.52$43.52
-41.96%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.10COP 60.1K
$4.94$4.94
286.64%
Cinema Ticket
$3.95COP 12.4K
$8.40$8.40
-52.98%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Sumter, SC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$316COP 994.2K
$1,326$1,326
-76.19%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,975COP 18.8M
$24.5K$24.5K
-75.65%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Sumter, SC
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0COP 188.9K
$44.21$44.21
35.72%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 100.2K
$36.65$36.65
-13.18%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102COP 320.1K
$60.7$60.7
67.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 338.3K
$150$150
-28.17%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Sumter, SC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$475COP 1.5M
$1,628$1,628
-70.82%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$374COP 1.2M
$1,362$1,362
-72.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$849COP 2.7M
$882$882
-3.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$719COP 2.3M
$2,181$2,181
-67.01%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,265COP 10.3M
$1,494$1,494
118.49%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,441COP 4.5M
$1,503$1,503
-4.14%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Sumter, SC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$624COP 2.0M
$4,167$4,167
-85.01%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
4.8
179.79%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Last update for Sumter, SC: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $475 in Medellin versus $1,628 in Sumter, SC. 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 567% higher in Sumter, SC, 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 $60.0 in Sumter, SC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $193 vs $323 – 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 Sumter, SC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sumter, SC cheaper than Medellin?
Yes – Sumter, SC is pricier by about 139%, 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 $1,504 per month in Medellin and $3,596 in Sumter, SC. 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 Sumter, SC?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin and $60.0 in Sumter, SC. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and in Sumter, SC?
Groceries cost about 67% more in Sumter, SC, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Sumter, SC?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,003, than in Sumter, SC at $2,397. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Sumter, SC it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Sumter, SC 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, Sumter, SC makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.