😐A single person spends $2,558 per month in Novi, MI vs $1,013 in Medellin, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,828 per month in Novi, MI vs $1,602 in Medellin, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $5,097 per month in Novi, MI vs $2,192 in Medellin, rent included.
😐Novi, MI costs about 153% more than Medellin, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Novi, MI sits 91% above the global median, while Medellin is 24% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Novi, MI
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.18$17.18
$5.99COP 21.4K
186.81%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$88.6$88.6
$32.86COP 117.4K
169.57%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.42$8.42
$7.09COP 25.3K
18.76%
Cappuccino
$4.12$4.12
$1.71COP 6,115
140.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.04$4.04
$1.10COP 3,924
267.27%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.30$2.30
$0.78COP 2,781
194.87%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.33$6.33
$1.68COP 5,997
276.79%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.93$3.93
$3.07COP 11.0K
28.01%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Novi, MI
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.88$0.88
$1.09COP 3,906
-19.27%
White Bread(500g)
$3.95$3.95
$1.26COP 4,508
213.49%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.90$5.90
$1.38COP 4,922
327.54%
Eggs
$3.48$3.48
$2.19COP 7,827
58.90%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$19.58$19.58
$4.40COP 15.7K
345.00%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$14.23$14.23
$5.63COP 20.1K
152.75%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$25.40$25.40
$8.89COP 31.8K
185.71%
Apples(1kg)
$8.13$8.13
$2.34COP 8,349
247.44%
Banana(1kg)
$2.72$2.72
$1.06COP 3,777
156.60%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.62$4.62
$1.50COP 5,374
208.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.13$5.13
$1.38COP 4,924
271.74%
Potato(1kg)
$2.32$2.32
$1.15COP 4,111
101.74%
Onion(1kg)
$2.71$2.71
$1.16COP 4,155
133.62%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.84$1.84
$0.89COP 3,182
106.74%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.20$2.20
$0.84COP 2,997
161.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.07$8.07
$2.28COP 8,145
253.95%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.52$14.52
$10.64COP 38.0K
36.47%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.86$1.86
$1.20COP 4,284
55.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.33$3.33
$2.47COP 8,824
34.82%
🚌 Getting Around
Novi, MI
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.98$1.98
$0.86COP 3,056
130.23%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$41.40COP 147.9K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.52$3.52
$1.47COP 5,264
139.46%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.60$1.60
$1.96COP 7,009
-18.37%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.29$29.29
$7.74COP 27.6K
278.42%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.85$0.85
$0.95COP 3,409
-10.53%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.4K$29.4K
$18.1KCOP 64.7M
62.34%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.3K$25.3K
$26.5KCOP 94.6M
-4.45%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Novi, MI
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$191$191
$82.3COP 293.7K
131.83%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$39.43$39.43
$9.50COP 33.9K
315.05%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$94.9$94.9
$24.23COP 86.5K
291.79%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Novi, MI
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.32$30.32
$25.89COP 92.4K
17.11%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$19.00COP 67.9K
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.06$12.06
$3.93COP 14.0K
206.87%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Novi, MI
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,569$1,569
$309COP 1.1M
407.02%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.9K$17.9K
$5,965COP 21.3M
199.50%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Novi, MI
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.29$44.29
$58.7COP 209.5K
-24.50%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.31$39.31
$32.35COP 115.5K
21.51%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$104$104
$103COP 366.4K
0.89%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$85.0$85.0
$108COP 387.2K
-21.65%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Novi, MI
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,686$1,686
$476COP 1.7M
254.02%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,228$1,228
$379COP 1.4M
224.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,845$2,845
$838COP 3.0M
239.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,102$2,102
$724COP 2.6M
190.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,658$2,658
$2,791COP 10.0M
-4.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,409$2,409
$1,211COP 4.3M
98.90%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Novi, MI
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$6,281$6,281
$512COP 1.8M
1127.38%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.63
13.43
-50.63%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Novi, MI: June 1, 2026
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,686 in Novi, MI 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.
💰Salaries run about 1127% higher in Novi, MI, 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 $89.0 in Novi, MI versus $33.00 in Medellin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $484 vs $188 – 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
Novi, MI vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Novi, MI?
Yes – Novi, MI is pricier by about 153%, 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 $3,837 per month in Novi, MI and $1,519 in Medellin. 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 Novi, MI or Medellin?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $89.0 in Novi, MI and $33.00 in Medellin. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Novi, MI and Medellin?
Groceries cost about 157% more in Novi, 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 Novi, MI or Medellin?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,013, than in Novi, MI at $2,558. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Novi, MI it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Novi, MI or Medellin 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 safer, Novi, MI or Medellin?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – 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, Novi, MI makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.