Cost of Living Comparison Between Washington, DC and Medellin Cost of Living Comparison Between Washington, DC and Medellin

😐 Solo nomad: Washington, DC is 163.5% more expensive than Medellin without rent, and 274.9% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Washington, DC is 173.8% more expensive than Medellin without rent, and 286.3% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Washington, DC
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$27.47 $27.47
$6.23 COP 26K
340.93%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$121 $121
$32.34 COP 134.8K
273.04%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.15 $12.15
$7.39 COP 30.8K
64.41%
Cappuccino
$5.83 $5.83
$1.72 COP 7,155
238.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.09 $3.09
$1.1 COP 4,575
180.91%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.79 $2.79
$0.73 COP 3,060
282.19%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.11 $8.11
$1.66 COP 6,916
388.55%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.9 $9.9
$3.2 COP 13.3K
209.38%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Washington, DC
Medellin
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.19 $1.19
$1.09 COP 4,552
9.17%
White Bread (500g)
$4.64 $4.64
$1.24 COP 5,188
274.19%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$6.93 $6.93
$1.33 COP 5,544
421.05%
Eggs
$4.45 $4.45
$2.22 COP 9,252
100.45%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.73 $17.73
$4.55 COP 19K
289.67%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$15.51 $15.51
$5.71 COP 23.8K
171.63%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.42 $19.42
$8.59 COP 35.8K
126.08%
Apples (1kg)
$6.27 $6.27
$2.26 COP 9,410
177.43%
Banana (1kg)
$1.98 $1.98
$1.07 COP 4,461
85.05%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.31 $5.31
$1.51 COP 6,293
251.66%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.45 $6.45
$1.42 COP 5,911
354.23%
Potato (1kg)
$3.6 $3.6
$1.11 COP 4,619
224.32%
Onion (1kg)
$3.67 $3.67
$1.18 COP 4,932
211.02%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.68 $2.68
$0.89 COP 3,718
201.12%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.54 $2.54
$0.84 COP 3,507
202.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.45 $12.45
$2.35 COP 9,809
429.79%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.78 $15.78
$9.34 COP 38.9K
68.95%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.85 $2.85
$1.18 COP 4,927
141.53%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.63 $4.63
$2.49 COP 10.4K
85.94%
🚌 Getting Around
Washington, DC
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.69 $2.69
$0.83 COP 3,464
224.10%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$75.8 $75.8
$41.9 COP 174.7K
80.91%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.02 $4.02
$1.41 COP 5,899
185.11%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.47 $2.47
$1.96 COP 8,164
26.02%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.03 $30.03
$7.85 COP 32.7K
282.55%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.93 $0.93
$1.02 COP 4,265
-8.82%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.4K $30.4K
$17.6K COP 73.4M
72.80%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.6K $25.6K
$26.2K COP 109.2M
-2.34%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Washington, DC
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$208 $208
$82.5 COP 344.1K
151.45%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$59.3 $59.3
$9.44 COP 39.4K
527.75%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69 $69
$23.51 COP 98K
193.28%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Washington, DC
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$112 $112
$25.68 COP 107.1K
335.71%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$38.39 $38.39
$19.14 COP 79.8K
100.57%
Cinema Ticket
$17.1 $17.1
$3.96 COP 16.5K
331.82%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Washington, DC
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,695 $2,695
$305 COP 1.3M
784.26%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$40.6K $40.6K
$5,925 COP 24.7M
585.71%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Washington, DC
Medellin
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$79.8 $79.8
$57.9 COP 241.4K
37.75%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.7 $50.7
$31.59 COP 131.7K
60.53%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$104 $104
$103 COP 430.1K
0.95%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$143 $143
$106 COP 440.5K
35.31%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Washington, DC
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,593 $2,593
$489 COP 2M
429.76%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,124 $2,124
$379 COP 1.6M
460.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$5,850 $5,850
$827 COP 3.4M
607.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$4,275 $4,275
$729 COP 3M
486.27%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,356 $6,356
$2,190 COP 9.1M
190.24%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$4,963 $4,963
$1,532 COP 6.4M
223.85%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Washington, DC
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,113 $6,113
$550 COP 2.3M
1011.41%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.48
13.43
-51.75%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Washington, DC: October 29, 2025

Last update for Medellin: October 28, 2025

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