πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $2,147 in Troy, MI, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $3,489 in Troy, MI, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $4,832 in Troy, MI, rent included.
πMedellin is about 53% cheaper than Troy, MI, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πMedellin sits 24% below the global median, while Troy, MI is 60% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Troy, MI
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$17.95$17.95
-66.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$70.8$70.8
-52.92%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$10.65$10.65
-32.11%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$4.52$4.52
-63.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$2.27$2.27
-51.98%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$1.58$1.58
-53.80%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$5.66$5.66
-69.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$6.93$6.93
-53.39%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Troy, MI
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$0.71$0.71
47.89%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$3.48$3.48
-62.93%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$4.66$4.66
-71.67%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.72$2.72
-16.54%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$15.24$15.24
-71.46%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$8.47$8.47
-30.58%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$15.02$15.02
-42.68%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$4.29$4.29
-47.55%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$1.07$1.07
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$3.33$3.33
-54.35%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$4.16$4.16
-65.87%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$2.09$2.09
-44.02%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$3.05$3.05
-61.64%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$2.38$2.38
-62.61%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$1.97$1.97
-54.31%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$8.05$8.05
-72.05%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$14.13$14.13
-21.87%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.54$1.54
-25.97%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$3.49$3.49
-31.81%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Troy, MI
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$3.06$3.06
-72.55%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$4.58$4.58
-69.21%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$1.43$1.43
32.87%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$28.30$28.30
-72.61%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$0.87$0.87
16.09%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$24.9K$24.9K
-29.32%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$23.0K$23.0K
15.29%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Troy, MI
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$118$118
-29.00%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$44.26$44.26
-78.65%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$42.26$42.26
-42.95%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Troy, MI
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$32.20$32.20
-21.40%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
$36.18$36.18
-47.10%
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$10.15$10.15
-59.61%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Troy, MI
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$966$966
-67.72%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$20.9K$20.9K
-71.33%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Troy, MI
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$52.7$52.7
10.07%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$22.43$22.43
45.16%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$96.8$96.8
2.97%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$99.3$99.3
9.26%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Troy, MI
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$1,304$1,304
-63.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$1,135$1,135
-66.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$2,258$2,258
-62.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$2,437$2,437
-70.32%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$2,701$2,701
5.13%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$2,216$2,216
-44.81%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Troy, MI
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$5,500$5,500
-90.17%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.51
106.30%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Troy, MI: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $1,304 in Troy, MI. 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 917% higher in Troy, MI, 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 $71.0 in Troy, MI. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $355 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 Troy, MI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Troy, MI cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Troy, MI is pricier by about 111%, 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 $1,525 per month in Medellin and $3,220 in Troy, MI. 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.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Troy, MI?
Groceries cost about 87% more in Troy, MI, 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 Medellin or Troy, MI?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,017, than in Troy, MI at $2,147. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Troy, MI it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Troy, MI 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 Troy, MI?
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, Troy, MI makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.