😐A single person spends $3,032 per month in Syracuse, NY vs $1,716 in Medellin, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $4,109 per month in Syracuse, NY vs $2,527 in Medellin, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $5,186 per month in Syracuse, NY vs $3,338 in Medellin, rent included.
😐Syracuse, NY costs about 77% more than Medellin, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Syracuse, NY and Medellin sit above the global median – Syracuse, NY by 121%, Medellin by 25%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Syracuse, NY
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.94$17.94
$8.03COP 25.1K
123.41%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.8$75.8
$48.26COP 150.8K
57.11%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.17$12.17
$9.77COP 30.5K
24.56%
Cappuccino
$6.20$6.20
$2.91COP 9,095
113.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.77$2.77
$1.94COP 6,074
42.78%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.07$2.07
$1.52COP 4,754
36.18%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.99$6.99
$3.09COP 9,663
126.21%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.37$7.37
$5.74COP 17.9K
28.40%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Syracuse, NY
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.89$0.89
$1.36COP 4,262
-34.56%
White Bread(500g)
$3.43$3.43
$2.39COP 7,460
43.51%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.37$4.37
$1.70COP 5,314
157.06%
Eggs
$3.92$3.92
$2.87COP 8,967
36.59%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.16$11.16
$9.94COP 31.1K
12.27%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.41$13.41
$10.78COP 33.7K
24.40%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.82$17.82
$14.73COP 46.0K
20.98%
Apples(1kg)
$6.51$6.51
$4.09COP 12.8K
59.17%
Banana(1kg)
$1.36$1.36
$1.57COP 4,911
-13.38%
Oranges(1kg)
$5.25$5.25
$2.13COP 6,642
146.48%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.71$6.71
$2.21COP 6,917
203.62%
Potato(1kg)
$3.01$3.01
$2.05COP 6,396
46.83%
Onion(1kg)
$3.79$3.79
$1.50COP 4,700
152.67%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.94$2.94
$1.19COP 3,718
147.06%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.69$2.69
$1.16COP 3,619
131.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$14.44$14.44
$3.90COP 12.2K
270.26%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.82$14.82
$14.44COP 45.1K
2.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.01$3.01
$1.58COP 4,948
90.51%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.65$4.65
$2.83COP 8,836
64.31%
🚌 Getting Around
Syracuse, NY
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.83$2.83
$1.17COP 3,650
141.88%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$114$114
$77.7COP 242.9K
46.87%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.84$3.84
$1.28COP 4,014
200.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.17$2.17
$2.09COP 6,537
3.83%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$30.47$30.47
$8.62COP 26.9K
253.48%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99$0.99
$1.30COP 4,056
-23.85%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.8K$34.8K
$27.7KCOP 86.4M
25.95%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K$26.1K
$35.5KCOP 110.9M
-26.62%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Syracuse, NY
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$234$234
$176COP 550.1K
32.95%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$57.8$57.8
$13.37COP 41.8K
332.46%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$73.8$73.8
$29.89COP 93.4K
146.97%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Syracuse, NY
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$53.8$53.8
$44.76COP 139.8K
20.22%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$31.57$31.57
$17.06COP 53.3K
85.05%
Cinema Ticket
$14.74$14.74
$6.20COP 19.4K
137.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Syracuse, NY
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,697$1,697
$793COP 2.5M
113.88%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.9K$17.9K
$9,019COP 28.2M
98.93%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Syracuse, NY
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.5$55.5
$85.6COP 267.5K
-35.23%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.25$47.25
$58.5COP 182.7K
-19.19%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.8$94.8
$136COP 425.9K
-30.42%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121$121
$103COP 322.2K
17.11%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Syracuse, NY
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,696$1,696
$1,060COP 3.3M
60.10%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,508$1,508
$680COP 2.1M
121.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,206$3,206
$2,012COP 6.3M
59.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,977$1,977
$1,169COP 3.7M
69.20%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,732$1,732
$4,111COP 12.8M
-57.87%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,901$1,901
$1,701COP 5.3M
11.75%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Syracuse, NY
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,580$3,580
$665COP 2.1M
438.21%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.03
10.94
-44.88%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Syracuse, NY: August 31, 2026
Last update for Medellin: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,696 in Syracuse, NY versus $1,060 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 438% higher in Syracuse, NY, 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 $76.0 in Syracuse, NY versus $48.00 in Medellin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $440 vs $303 – 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
Syracuse, NY vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Syracuse, NY?
Yes – Syracuse, NY is pricier by about 77%, 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 $4,548 per month in Syracuse, NY and $2,574 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 Syracuse, NY or in Medellin?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $76.0 in Syracuse, NY and $48.00 in Medellin. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Syracuse, NY and in Medellin?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,032 in Syracuse, NY and $1,716 in Medellin. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Syracuse, NY or in Medellin?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,716, than in Syracuse, NY at $3,032. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Syracuse, NY it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Syracuse, NY 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 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, Syracuse, NY makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Syracuse, NY vs other spots: cost of living compared