Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Wausau, WI

For one person, living is cheaper in Medellin: $1,639 a month against $1,749 in Wausau, WI, rent and utilities included – about $1,300 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Medellin, Colombia
Wausau, WI, United States
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,639
/mo nomad
Wausau, WI
🇺🇸 United States
$1,749
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Wausau, WI

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Medellin and in Wausau, WI actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,639 per month in Medellin vs $1,749 in Wausau, WI, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,639
  • Wausau, WI $1,749

A couple spends around $2,413 per month in Medellin vs $2,761 in Wausau, WI, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,413
  • Wausau, WI $2,761

A family of three spends $3,186 per month in Medellin vs $3,773 in Wausau, WI, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,186
  • Wausau, WI $3,773

Medellin is about 6% cheaper than Wausau, WI, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Medellin and Wausau, WI sit above the global median – Medellin by 20%, Wausau, WI by 29%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Wausau, WI
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.09 COP 26.1K
$20.40 $20.40
-60.34%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.05 COP 151.7K
$74.5 $74.5
-36.84%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.50 COP 30.6K
$8.44 $8.44
12.56%
Cappuccino
$3.01 COP 9,722
$4.96 $4.96
-39.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80 COP 5,801
$2.83 $2.83
-36.40%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.41 COP 4,554
$1.97 $1.97
-28.43%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.18 COP 10.2K
$5.45 $5.45
-41.65%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.75 COP 18.5K
$5.37 $5.37
7.08%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Wausau, WI
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.51 COP 4,869
$0.78 $0.78
93.59%
White Bread (500g)
$2.38 COP 7,667
$2.89 $2.89
-17.65%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.77 COP 5,712
$5.32 $5.32
-66.73%
Eggs
$2.89 COP 9,320
$4.66 $4.66
-37.98%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.19 COP 32.9K
$8.98 $8.98
13.47%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.87 COP 31.8K
$6.41 $6.41
53.98%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.99 COP 45.1K
$13.84 $13.84
1.08%
Apples (1kg)
$3.97 COP 12.8K
$4.24 $4.24
-6.37%
Banana (1kg)
$1.55 COP 5,005
$1.46 $1.46
6.16%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.18 COP 7,039
$3.83 $3.83
-43.08%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.18 COP 7,041
$4.30 $4.30
-49.30%
Potato (1kg)
$1.96 COP 6,328
$1.78 $1.78
10.11%
Onion (1kg)
$1.59 COP 5,125
$2.45 $2.45
-35.10%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.15 COP 3,694
$2.25 $2.25
-48.89%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24 COP 4,009
$1.02 $1.02
21.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.96 COP 12.8K
$8.23 $8.23
-51.88%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.68 COP 44.1K
$8.88 $8.88
54.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.66 COP 5,352
$1.99 $1.99
-16.58%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26 COP 7,281
$2.30 $2.30
-1.74%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Wausau, WI
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.17 COP 3,766
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$77.4 COP 249.5K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.27 COP 4,089
$2.85 $2.85
-55.44%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.05 COP 6,603
$1.63 $1.63
25.77%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.55 COP 27.6K
$21.19 $21.19
-59.65%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 COP 4,343
$0.86 $0.86
56.98%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.1K COP 109.8M
$33.6K $33.6K
1.44%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7K COP 111.8M
$25.6K $25.6K
35.58%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Wausau, WI
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$170 COP 547.0K
$155 $155
9.40%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.55 COP 43.7K
$66.8 $66.8
-79.71%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.07 COP 90.5K
$71.4 $71.4
-60.67%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Wausau, WI
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.70 COP 140.9K
$30.39 $30.39
43.80%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.19 COP 55.4K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.91 COP 22.3K
$6.14 $6.14
12.54%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Wausau, WI
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$797 COP 2.6M
$1,822 $1,822
-56.29%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,112 COP 29.4M
$24.3K $24.3K
-62.53%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Wausau, WI
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$84.7 COP 273.2K
$24.97 $24.97
239.29%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.0 COP 186.9K
$40.75 $40.75
42.23%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$135 COP 435.2K
$64.5 $64.5
109.37%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$97.9 COP 315.6K
$85.1 $85.1
15.05%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Wausau, WI
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,208 COP 3.9M
$912 $912
32.39%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$642 COP 2.1M
$693 $693
-7.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,028 COP 6.5M
$1,561 $1,561
29.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,012 COP 3.3M
$1,386 $1,386
-26.99%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,170 COP 13.4M
$1,801 $1,801
131.54%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,910 COP 6.2M
$1,766 $1,766
8.17%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Wausau, WI
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$657 COP 2.1M
$3,557 $3,557
-81.53%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
6.65
64.51%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Medellin: October 25, 2026

Last update for Wausau, WI: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$642
Wausau, WI
$693 7.9% $51
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$297
Wausau, WI
$308 3.6% $11
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$211
Wausau, WI
$293 38.8% $82
Eating Out
Medellin
$170
Wausau, WI
$305 79.9% $136
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$169
Wausau, WI
$97 42.7% $72
Getting Around
Medellin
$94
Wausau, WI
$11 * 88.2% $83
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$58
Wausau, WI
$43 25.8% $15

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,208 in Medellin versus $912 in Wausau, WI. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Wausau, WI are about 5.4 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin versus $74 in Wausau, WI. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $297 vs $308 – making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇺🇸 Wausau, WI
🕒 Local time
09:25 9:25 AM
08:25 8:25 AM
1 h behind Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
38,435
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 3,224 COP (10,000 COP = 3.1 USD). 1 EUR = 3,600 COP (10,000 COP = 2.78 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.896 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Wausau, WI 4,510 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Wausau, WI

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Wausau, WI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Wausau, WI?
Yes – Wausau, WI is pricier by about 7%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in eating out.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,459 per month in Medellin and $2,624 in Wausau, WI. 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 Wausau, WI, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $912 there versus $1,208 in Medellin.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or in Wausau, WI?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin and $74 in Wausau, WI. 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 Wausau, WI?
Groceries cost about 4% more in Wausau, WI, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Is $2,500 enough for either Medellin or Wausau, WI?
$2,500 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $1,639 in Medellin and $1,749 in Wausau, WI, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Is it better to live in Medellin or in Wausau, WI?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,639 in Medellin to $1,749 in Wausau, WI. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Wausau, WI makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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