πA single person spends $1,030 per month in Medellin vs $2,072 in Williams Lake, BC, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,586 per month in Medellin vs $3,029 in Williams Lake, BC, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,143 per month in Medellin vs $3,986 in Williams Lake, BC, rent included.
πMedellin is about 50% cheaper than Williams Lake, BC, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πMedellin sits 23% below the global median, while Williams Lake, BC is 55% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Williams Lake, BC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.3K
$16.81CA$23.02
-64.78%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.17COPΒ 119.5K
$70.7CA$96.9
-53.08%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.25COPΒ 26.1K
$11.22CA$15.37
-35.38%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,176
$3.71CA$5.08
-53.91%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,940
$2.05CA$2.81
-46.83%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77COPΒ 2,760
$1.71CA$2.35
-54.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.75COPΒ 6,294
$5.48CA$7.51
-68.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COPΒ 11.5K
$5.97CA$8.18
-46.73%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Williams Lake, BC
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,816
$2.46CA$3.37
-56.91%
White Bread(500g)
$1.30COPΒ 4,687
$2.74CA$3.75
-52.55%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,958
$3.52CA$4.82
-60.80%
Eggs
$2.21COPΒ 7,958
$5.59CA$7.66
-60.47%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.52COPΒ 16.3K
$11.03CA$15.11
-59.02%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.80COPΒ 20.9K
$11.63CA$15.93
-50.13%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COPΒ 32.3K
$14.90CA$20.41
-39.80%
Apples(1kg)
$2.29COPΒ 8,235
$3.97CA$5.44
-42.32%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,815
$1.42CA$1.95
-25.35%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.51COPΒ 5,446
$3.69CA$5.05
-59.08%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COPΒ 4,900
$3.66CA$5.01
-62.84%
Potato(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,172
$2.48CA$3.40
-53.23%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,201
$2.47CA$3.39
-52.63%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.83COPΒ 2,979
$2.51CA$3.44
-66.93%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85COPΒ 3,063
$1.70CA$2.33
-50.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.35COPΒ 8,477
$13.75CA$18.83
-82.91%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.09COPΒ 39.9K
$11.25CA$15.41
-1.42%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.15COPΒ 4,159
$2.91CA$3.99
-60.48%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,910
$3.05CA$4.19
-19.02%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Williams Lake, BC
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,845
$2.43CA$3.33
-67.49%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.85COPΒ 150.7K
$63.6CA$87.1
-34.20%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,173
$3.21CA$4.40
-55.14%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,836
$1.43CA$1.95
32.87%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.70COPΒ 27.7K
$25.34CA$34.72
-69.61%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.03COPΒ 3,704
$1.21CA$1.65
-14.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.7KCOPΒ 63.7M
$24.5KCA$33.6K
-27.95%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.0KCOPΒ 97.3M
$20.3KCA$27.9K
32.77%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Williams Lake, BC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.4COPΒ 293.2K
$140CA$192
-41.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.42COPΒ 33.9K
$33.18CA$45.45
-71.61%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.77COPΒ 85.6K
$86.1CA$118
-72.40%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Williams Lake, BC
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.86COPΒ 93.2K
$41.92CA$57.4
-38.31%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.34COPΒ 69.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.05COPΒ 14.6K
$11.38CA$15.59
-64.41%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Williams Lake, BC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$733CA$1,004
-57.37%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,067COPΒ 21.9M
$12.0KCA$16.4K
-49.46%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Williams Lake, BC
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.9COPΒ 212.0K
$53.9CA$73.9
9.14%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.82COPΒ 118.2K
$39.73CA$54.4
-17.39%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$100COPΒ 361.9K
$87.2CA$119
15.23%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106COPΒ 382.8K
$105CA$144
1.04%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Williams Lake, BC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$490COPΒ 1.8M
$963CA$1,319
-49.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$371COPΒ 1.3M
$915CA$1,253
-59.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$1,373CA$1,881
-38.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$715COPΒ 2.6M
$1,310CA$1,795
-45.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,952COPΒ 10.6M
$4,983CA$6,827
-40.76%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,394COPΒ 5.0M
$3,867CA$5,298
-63.96%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Williams Lake, BC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$532COPΒ 1.9M
$3,261CA$4,468
-83.68%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.46
107.89%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 20, 2026
Last update for Williams Lake, BC: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $490 in Medellin versus $963 in Williams Lake, BC. 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 513% higher in Williams Lake, BC, 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 in Medellin versus $71 in Williams Lake, BC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $372 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 Williams Lake, BC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Williams Lake, BC cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Williams Lake, BC is pricier by about 101%, 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 $1,544 per month in Medellin and $3,108 in Williams Lake, BC. 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 Williams Lake, BC?
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Williams Lake, BC?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,030 in Medellin and $2,072 in Williams Lake, BC. 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 Williams Lake, BC?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,030, than in Williams Lake, BC at $2,072. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Williams Lake, BC it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Williams Lake, BC 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 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, Williams Lake, BC makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.