πA single person spends $2,935 per month in Melbourne, FL vs $1,013 in Medellin, rent included.
πA couple spends around $4,015 per month in Melbourne, FL vs $1,602 in Medellin, rent included.
πA family of three spends $5,094 per month in Melbourne, FL vs $2,192 in Medellin, rent included.
πMelbourne, FL costs about 190% more than Medellin, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πMelbourne, FL sits 119% above the global median, while Medellin is 24% below β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Melbourne, FL
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.38$25.38
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
323.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.8$73.8
$32.86COPΒ 117.2K
124.44%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.97$9.97
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
40.62%
Cappuccino
$4.87$4.87
$1.71COPΒ 6,105
184.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.63$2.63
$1.10COPΒ 3,918
139.09%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09$2.09
$0.78COPΒ 2,776
167.95%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.94$5.94
$1.68COPΒ 5,987
253.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.40$6.40
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
108.47%
π Groceries & Markets
Melbourne, FL
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.89$0.89
$1.09COPΒ 3,899
-18.35%
White Bread(500g)
$3.72$3.72
$1.26COPΒ 4,500
195.24%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.74$2.74
$1.38COPΒ 4,914
98.55%
Eggs
$3.94$3.94
$2.19COPΒ 7,813
79.91%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.63$11.63
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
164.32%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.43$8.43
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
49.73%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.53$14.53
$8.89COPΒ 31.7K
63.44%
Apples(1kg)
$4.80$4.80
$2.34COPΒ 8,334
105.13%
Banana(1kg)
$1.49$1.49
$1.06COPΒ 3,771
40.57%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.64$3.64
$1.50COPΒ 5,365
142.67%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.17$5.17
$1.38COPΒ 4,915
274.64%
Potato(1kg)
$2.59$2.59
$1.15COPΒ 4,104
125.22%
Onion(1kg)
$3.39$3.39
$1.16COPΒ 4,148
192.24%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.28$2.28
$0.89COPΒ 3,176
156.18%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.10$2.10
$0.84COPΒ 2,992
150.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.31$9.31
$2.28COPΒ 8,131
308.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.40$15.40
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
44.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.72$1.72
$1.20COPΒ 4,276
43.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.80$2.80
$2.47COPΒ 8,809
13.36%
π Getting Around
Melbourne, FL
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.83$3.83
$0.86COPΒ 3,051
345.35%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$42.31$42.31
$41.40COPΒ 147.6K
2.20%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.57$4.57
$1.47COPΒ 5,255
210.88%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.64$0.64
$1.96COPΒ 6,997
-67.35%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$22.19$22.19
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
186.69%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.84$0.84
$0.95COPΒ 3,403
-11.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.7K$23.7K
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.6M
30.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.2K$24.2K
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.4M
-8.80%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Melbourne, FL
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$173$173
$82.3COPΒ 293.2K
109.88%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$55.8$55.8
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
486.84%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.4$64.4
$24.23COPΒ 86.4K
165.66%
π Sport & Entertainment
Melbourne, FL
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$70.4$70.4
$25.89COPΒ 92.3K
171.73%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$2.03$2.03
$19.00COPΒ 67.7K
-89.32%
Cinema Ticket
$12.96$12.96
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
229.77%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Melbourne, FL
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$910$910
$309COPΒ 1.1M
194.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.8K$15.8K
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
164.54%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Melbourne, FL
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$47.09$47.09
$58.7COPΒ 209.1K
-19.72%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.86$45.86
$32.35COPΒ 115.3K
41.76%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$86.3$86.3
$103COPΒ 365.7K
-15.87%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$93.8$93.8
$108COPΒ 386.5K
-13.54%
π Accommodation & Living
Melbourne, FL
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,625$1,625
$476COPΒ 1.7M
241.22%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,607$1,607
$379COPΒ 1.4M
324.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,018$3,018
$838COPΒ 3.0M
260.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,293$2,293
$724COPΒ 2.6M
216.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,493$2,493
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
-10.65%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,482$2,482
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
104.93%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Melbourne, FL
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,643$3,643
$512COPΒ 1.8M
611.88%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.53
13.43
-51.38%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Melbourne, FL: June 1, 2026
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $1,625 in Melbourne, FL versus $476 in Medellin. 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 612% higher in Melbourne, FL, 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 $74.0 in Melbourne, FL versus $33.00 in Medellin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $361 vs $188 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
Melbourne, FL vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Melbourne, FL?
Yes β Melbourne, FL is pricier by about 190%, 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 $4,403 per month in Melbourne, FL and $1,519 in Medellin. 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 Melbourne, FL or Medellin?
What are total monthly expenses in Melbourne, FL vs Medellin?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,935 in Melbourne, FL and $1,013 in Medellin. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Melbourne, FL or Medellin?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,013, than in Melbourne, FL at $2,935. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Melbourne, FL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Melbourne, FL or Medellin 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, Melbourne, FL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Melbourne, FL vs other spots: cost of living compared