πA single person spends $3,098 per month in Philipsburg vs $1,028 in Medellin, rent included.
πA couple spends around $5,842 per month in Philipsburg vs $1,586 in Medellin, rent included.
πA family of three spends $8,587 per month in Philipsburg vs $2,144 in Medellin, rent included.
πPhilipsburg costs about 201% more than Medellin, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πPhilipsburg sits 132% above the global median, while Medellin is 23% below β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Philipsburg
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.89ANGΒ 26.57
$6.00COPΒ 20.6K
148.17%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.5ANGΒ 131
$32.84COPΒ 112.5K
123.81%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.97ANGΒ 14.23
$7.42COPΒ 25.4K
7.41%
Cappuccino
$4.43ANGΒ 7.90
$1.65COPΒ 5,659
168.48%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97ANGΒ 5.30
$1.07COPΒ 3,663
177.57%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.60ANGΒ 6.42
$0.76COPΒ 2,607
373.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.03ANGΒ 5.41
$1.72COPΒ 5,908
76.16%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.11ANGΒ 9.12
$3.20COPΒ 11.0K
59.69%
π Groceries & Markets
Philipsburg
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$3.06ANGΒ 5.46
$1.05COPΒ 3,597
191.43%
White Bread(500g)
$3.18ANGΒ 5.68
$1.31COPΒ 4,479
142.75%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.99ANGΒ 5.33
$1.34COPΒ 4,591
123.13%
Eggs
$6.58ANGΒ 11.74
$2.19COPΒ 7,521
200.46%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.48ANGΒ 32.99
$4.41COPΒ 15.1K
319.05%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$16.83ANGΒ 30.04
$5.69COPΒ 19.5K
195.78%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.80ANGΒ 35.34
$8.52COPΒ 29.2K
132.39%
Apples(1kg)
$5.98ANGΒ 10.67
$2.34COPΒ 8,023
155.56%
Banana(1kg)
$5.92ANGΒ 10.56
$1.11COPΒ 3,804
433.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$9.35ANGΒ 16.68
$1.52COPΒ 5,210
515.13%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.43ANGΒ 11.47
$1.37COPΒ 4,680
369.34%
Potato(1kg)
$3.93ANGΒ 7.02
$1.15COPΒ 3,950
241.74%
Onion(1kg)
$3.97ANGΒ 7.08
$1.18COPΒ 4,043
236.44%
Lettuce(1 head)
$4.43ANGΒ 7.90
$0.84COPΒ 2,885
427.38%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.97ANGΒ 3.52
$0.86COPΒ 2,931
129.07%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.78ANGΒ 13.89
$2.26COPΒ 7,753
244.25%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.91ANGΒ 19.47
$11.60COPΒ 39.8K
-5.95%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.32ANGΒ 5.93
$1.20COPΒ 4,109
176.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87ANGΒ 5.11
$2.48COPΒ 8,484
15.73%
π Getting Around
Philipsburg
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.47ANGΒ 2.62
$0.79COPΒ 2,721
86.08%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$40.83COPΒ 139.9K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$14.94ANGΒ 26.67
$1.47COPΒ 5,023
916.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$4.85ANGΒ 8.66
$1.92COPΒ 6,568
152.60%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$7.77COPΒ 26.6K
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.44ANGΒ 2.56
$1.01COPΒ 3,464
42.57%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$17.7KCOPΒ 60.5M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$26.5KCOPΒ 90.7M
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Philipsburg
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$222ANGΒ 397
$81.1COPΒ 277.9K
173.95%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.97ANGΒ 58.9
$9.43COPΒ 32.3K
249.63%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.2ANGΒ 123
$23.86COPΒ 81.8K
189.82%
π Sport & Entertainment
Philipsburg
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$63.3ANGΒ 113
$25.99COPΒ 89.1K
143.40%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.71COPΒ 64.1K
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.75ANGΒ 22.76
$4.09COPΒ 14.0K
211.74%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Philipsburg
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$371ANGΒ 662
$315COPΒ 1.1M
17.89%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.1KANGΒ 19.9K
$6,022COPΒ 20.6M
85.13%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Philipsburg
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$59.7COPΒ 204.6K
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$31.97COPΒ 109.6K
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$101COPΒ 346.9K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$105COPΒ 360.3K
-
π Accommodation & Living
Philipsburg
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,970ANGΒ 3,517
$485COPΒ 1.7M
305.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,875ANGΒ 3,347
$365COPΒ 1.3M
413.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$5,726ANGΒ 10.2K
$827COPΒ 2.8M
592.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$5,589ANGΒ 9,976
$730COPΒ 2.5M
665.28%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,992COPΒ 10.3M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,314COPΒ 4.5M
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Philipsburg
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,104ANGΒ 1,970
$551COPΒ 1.9M
100.40%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.75
13.43
-57.19%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Philipsburg: June 16, 2026
Last update for Medellin: June 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $1,970 in Philipsburg versus $485 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 100% higher in Philipsburg, 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 Philipsburg versus $33.00 in Medellin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $540 vs $190 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
Philipsburg vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Philipsburg?
Yes β Philipsburg is pricier by about 201%, 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 $4,646 per month in Philipsburg and $1,542 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.
How do food prices compare in Philipsburg and Medellin?
Groceries cost about 184% more in Philipsburg, 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 Philipsburg or Medellin?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,028, than in Philipsburg at $3,098. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Philipsburg it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Philipsburg 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, Philipsburg makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Philipsburg vs other spots: cost of living compared