πA single person spends $2,876 per month in Stillwater, MN vs $1,013 in Medellin, rent included.
πA couple spends around $4,012 per month in Stillwater, MN vs $1,602 in Medellin, rent included.
πA family of three spends $5,147 per month in Stillwater, MN vs $2,192 in Medellin, rent included.
πStillwater, MN costs about 184% more than Medellin, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πStillwater, MN sits 115% above the global median, while Medellin is 24% below β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Stillwater, MN
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.65$17.65
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
194.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$80.6$80.6
$32.86COPΒ 117.4K
145.37%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.11$12.11
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
70.80%
Cappuccino
$5.65$5.65
$1.71COPΒ 6,115
230.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97$1.97
$1.10COPΒ 3,924
79.09%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22$2.22
$0.78COPΒ 2,781
184.62%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.23$6.23
$1.68COPΒ 5,997
270.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.09$7.09
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
130.94%
π Groceries & Markets
Stillwater, MN
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.93$0.93
$1.09COPΒ 3,906
-14.68%
White Bread(500g)
$3.57$3.57
$1.26COPΒ 4,508
183.33%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.51$5.51
$1.38COPΒ 4,922
299.28%
Eggs
$3.69$3.69
$2.19COPΒ 7,827
68.49%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.09$11.09
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
152.05%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$14.17$14.17
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
151.69%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.34$16.34
$8.89COPΒ 31.8K
83.80%
Apples(1kg)
$6.52$6.52
$2.34COPΒ 8,349
178.63%
Banana(1kg)
$1.84$1.84
$1.06COPΒ 3,777
73.58%
Oranges(1kg)
$6.86$6.86
$1.50COPΒ 5,374
357.33%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.67$5.67
$1.38COPΒ 4,924
310.87%
Potato(1kg)
$3.03$3.03
$1.15COPΒ 4,111
163.48%
Onion(1kg)
$3.80$3.80
$1.16COPΒ 4,155
227.59%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.57$2.57
$0.89COPΒ 3,182
188.76%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.33$2.33
$0.84COPΒ 2,997
177.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.60$7.60
$2.28COPΒ 8,145
233.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.73$15.73
$10.64COPΒ 38.0K
47.84%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.17$2.17
$1.20COPΒ 4,284
80.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.94$4.94
$2.47COPΒ 8,824
100.00%
π Getting Around
Stillwater, MN
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.02$2.02
$0.86COPΒ 3,056
134.88%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$82.2$82.2
$41.40COPΒ 147.9K
98.57%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.79$4.79
$1.47COPΒ 5,264
225.85%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.70$1.70
$1.96COPΒ 7,009
-13.27%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$24.16$24.16
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
212.14%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.86$0.86
$0.95COPΒ 3,409
-9.47%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.3K$30.3K
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.7M
66.93%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.7K$21.7K
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.6M
-17.92%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Stillwater, MN
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$132$132
$82.3COPΒ 293.7K
60.07%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$51.4$51.4
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
440.63%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$68.0$68.0
$24.23COPΒ 86.5K
180.81%
π Sport & Entertainment
Stillwater, MN
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.15$42.15
$25.89COPΒ 92.4K
62.80%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$19.00COPΒ 67.9K
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.25$15.25
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
288.04%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Stillwater, MN
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,608$1,608
$309COPΒ 1.1M
419.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$26.7K$26.7K
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
347.93%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Stillwater, MN
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.8$63.8
$58.7COPΒ 209.5K
8.73%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.11$43.11
$32.35COPΒ 115.5K
33.26%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.8$88.8
$103COPΒ 366.4K
-13.45%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$50.3$50.3
$108COPΒ 387.2K
-53.66%
π Accommodation & Living
Stillwater, MN
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,471$1,471
$476COPΒ 1.7M
208.89%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,622$1,622
$379COPΒ 1.4M
328.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,130$2,130
$838COPΒ 3.0M
154.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,246$2,246
$724COPΒ 2.6M
210.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,008$3,008
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
7.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,917$2,917
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
140.84%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Stillwater, MN
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$6,439$6,439
$512COPΒ 1.8M
1158.11%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.51
13.43
-51.53%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Stillwater, MN: May 30, 2026
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $1,471 in Stillwater, MN 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 1158% higher in Stillwater, MN, 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 $81.0 in Stillwater, MN versus $33.00 in Medellin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $441 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
Stillwater, MN vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Stillwater, MN?
Yes β Stillwater, MN is pricier by about 184%, 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 $4,313 per month in Stillwater, MN 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 Stillwater, MN or Medellin?
What are total monthly expenses in Stillwater, MN vs Medellin?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,876 in Stillwater, MN 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 Stillwater, MN or Medellin?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,013, than in Stillwater, MN at $2,876. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Stillwater, MN it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Stillwater, MN 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 safer, Stillwater, MN 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 β 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, Stillwater, MN makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Stillwater, MN vs other spots: cost of living compared