😐A single person spends $2,201 per month in Troy, MI vs $1,003 in Medellin, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,550 per month in Troy, MI vs $1,573 in Medellin, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,899 per month in Troy, MI vs $2,143 in Medellin, rent included.
😐Troy, MI costs about 120% more than Medellin, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Troy, MI sits 65% above the global median, while Medellin is 25% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Troy, MI
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.91$17.91
$5.91COP 18.6K
203.05%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$70.5$70.5
$32.96COP 103.8K
113.96%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.34$10.34
$7.43COP 23.4K
39.17%
Cappuccino
$4.42$4.42
$1.65COP 5,207
167.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.30$2.30
$1.10COP 3,468
109.09%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.61$1.61
$0.78COP 2,458
106.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.89$5.89
$1.72COP 5,412
242.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.81$6.81
$3.18COP 10.0K
114.15%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Troy, MI
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.75$0.75
$1.10COP 3,474
-31.82%
White Bread(500g)
$3.53$3.53
$1.26COP 3,962
180.16%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.68$4.68
$1.38COP 4,349
239.13%
Eggs
$2.64$2.64
$2.18COP 6,858
21.10%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.17$15.17
$4.49COP 14.1K
237.86%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.70$8.70
$5.79COP 18.2K
50.26%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.86$14.86
$8.97COP 28.2K
65.66%
Apples(1kg)
$4.40$4.40
$2.32COP 7,308
89.66%
Banana(1kg)
$1.13$1.13
$1.06COP 3,352
6.60%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.36$3.36
$1.52COP 4,774
121.05%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.14$4.14
$1.36COP 4,270
204.41%
Potato(1kg)
$2.10$2.10
$1.13COP 3,552
85.84%
Onion(1kg)
$3.05$3.05
$1.17COP 3,689
160.68%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.39$2.39
$0.90COP 2,838
165.56%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.02$2.02
$0.90COP 2,823
124.44%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.01$8.01
$2.23COP 7,034
259.19%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.02$14.02
$12.12COP 38.2K
15.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.61$1.61
$1.19COP 3,743
35.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.67$3.67
$2.48COP 7,815
47.98%
🚌 Getting Around
Troy, MI
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.08$3.08
$0.85COP 2,687
262.35%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$41.62COP 131.0K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.65$4.65
$1.42COP 4,459
227.46%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.39$1.39
$1.95COP 6,141
-28.72%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$28.76$28.76
$7.89COP 24.8K
264.51%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.91$0.91
$0.99COP 3,118
-8.08%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7K$24.7K
$17.6KCOP 55.4M
40.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.9K$22.9K
$26.8KCOP 84.4M
-14.52%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Troy, MI
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$116$116
$83.0COP 261.4K
40.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$44.21$44.21
$9.70COP 30.5K
355.77%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$43.33$43.33
$23.52COP 74.1K
84.23%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Troy, MI
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$32.15$32.15
$25.26COP 79.5K
27.28%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$36.23$36.23
$19.10COP 60.1K
89.69%
Cinema Ticket
$10.18$10.18
$3.95COP 12.4K
157.72%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Troy, MI
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$942$942
$316COP 994.2K
198.41%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$21.0K$21.0K
$5,975COP 18.8M
250.86%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Troy, MI
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.8$52.8
$60.0COP 188.9K
-12.00%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$22.11$22.11
$31.82COP 100.2K
-30.52%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$98.1$98.1
$102COP 320.1K
-3.50%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$98.9$98.9
$107COP 338.3K
-7.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Troy, MI
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,300$1,300
$475COP 1.5M
173.82%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,138$1,138
$374COP 1.2M
204.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,261$2,261
$849COP 2.7M
166.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,417$2,417
$719COP 2.3M
235.88%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,706$2,706
$3,265COP 10.3M
-17.12%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,294$2,294
$1,441COP 4.5M
59.22%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Troy, MI
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$5,520$5,520
$624COP 2.0M
783.92%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.51
13.43
-51.53%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Troy, MI: July 28, 2026
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,300 in Troy, MI versus $475 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 784% higher in Troy, 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 $71.0 in Troy, MI versus $33.00 in Medellin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $358 vs $193 – 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
Troy, MI vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Troy, MI?
Yes – Troy, MI is pricier by about 120%, 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 $3,301 per month in Troy, MI and $1,504 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 Troy, MI or in Medellin?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $71.0 in Troy, 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 Troy, MI and in Medellin?
Groceries cost about 85% more in Troy, 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 living in Troy, MI or in Medellin?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,003, than in Troy, MI at $2,201. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Troy, MI it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Troy, 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, Troy, 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, Troy, MI makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.