- Cost of Living
- Colombia
- United States
- Medellín
- Houston
- Comparison
Cost of living comparison between Medellín (Colombia) and Houston (United States)
| Food | 31% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Medellín (Colombia) is 31% cheaper than in Houston (United States) | |||
| Daily menu in the business district | COL$9,500 ($5.16) | $12.55 | 59% |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | COL$12,417 ($6.75) | $6.15 | 10% |
| 1/2 Kg (1 lb.) of chicken breast | COL$7,625 ($4.14) | $3.42 | 21% |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | COL$1,939 ($1.05) | $2.42 | 56% |
| 12 eggs, large | COL$3,723 ($2.02) | $2.25 | 10% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | COL$2,171 ($1.18) | $2.72 | 57% |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | COL$3,575 ($1.94) | $4.43 | 56% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | COL$4,113 ($2.24) | $3.19 | 30% |
| 2 kg (4,5 lb.) of potatoes | COL$2,757 ($1.50) | $3.53 | 58% |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) beer in the supermarket | COL$2,373 ($1.29) | $2.22 | 42% |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | COL$31,833 ($17.30) | $13.15 | 32% |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | COL$3,854 ($2.09) | $1.64 | 28% |
| bread for 2 people for 1 day | COL$2,189 ($1.19) | $1.98 | 40% |
| Housing | 39% | ||
| Housing in Medellín (Colombia) is 39% cheaper than in Houston (United States) | |||
| monthly rent for a 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished apartment in expensive area of the city | COL$1,430,000 ($777) | $1,370 | 43% |
| utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | COL$260,556 ($142) | $151 | 6% |
| Internet 8MB (1 month) | COL$71,000 ($39) | $45 | 14% |
| 40” flat screen TV | COL$1,362,500 ($741) | $614 | 21% |
| Microwave, known brand, 800/900 Watt | COL$175,571 ($95) | $133 | 28% |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | COL$9,704 ($5.28) | $9.44 | 44% |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | COL$6,138 ($3.34) | $15.40 | 78% |
| Clothes | 111% | ||
| Clothes in Medellín (Colombia) is 111% more expensive than in Houston (United States) | |||
| 1 pair of Levis 501 | COL$216,667 ($118) | $38 | 210% |
| 1 summer dress in a chain store (Zara, H&M, ...) | COL$168,571 ($92) | $39 | 133% |
| 1 pair of Adidas trainers | COL$202,000 ($110) | $74 | 48% |
| 1 pair of average business shoes | COL$163,750 ($89) | $85 | 5% |
| Transportation | 24% | ||
| Transportation in Medellín (Colombia) is 24% cheaper than in Houston (United States) | |||
| Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI 140 CV 6 vel. (or equivalent), with no extras, new | COL$38,571,400 ($20,967) | $22,773 | 8% |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | COL$4,044 ($2.20) | $0.93 | 136% |
| monthly ticket public transport | COL$63,857 ($35) | $71 | 51% |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 Km. (5 miles) | COL$30,114 ($16.37) | $14.80 | 11% |
| Personal Care | 7% | ||
| Personal Care in Medellín (Colombia) is 7% cheaper than in Houston (United States) | |||
| medicine against cold for 6 days (Frenadol, Coldrex, ...) | COL$10,143 ($5.51) | $8.32 | 34% |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | COL$15,289 ($8.31) | $6.08 | 37% |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | COL$6,900 ($3.75) | $2.96 | 27% |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | COL$11,286 ($6.13) | $4.06 | 51% |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | COL$6,188 ($3.36) | $2.97 | 13% |
| Tube of toothpaste | COL$3,875 ($2.11) | $2.83 | 25% |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | COL$14,000 ($7.61) | $16.50 | 54% |
| Entertainment | 42% | ||
| Entertainment in Medellín (Colombia) is 42% cheaper than in Houston (United States) | |||
| basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | COL$33,333 ($18.12) | $36 | 49% |
| 2 tickets to the movies | COL$18,571 ($10.10) | $18.75 | 46% |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | COL$80,000 ($43) | $193 | 77% |
| dinner out for two in Italian restaurant with wine and dessert | COL$80,000 ($43) | $81 | 46% |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | COL$11,182 ($6.08) | $8.39 | 28% |
| Capuccino in expat area of the city | COL$4,250 ($2.31) | $4.52 | 49% |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub | COL$3,393 ($1.84) | $4.06 | 55% |
| iPod nano 16GB | COL$376,571 ($205) | $144 | 42% |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | COL$275 ($0.15) | $0.60 | 75% |
| 1 month of gym in business district | COL$103,500 ($56) | $39 | 45% |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarretes | COL$3,729 ($2.03) | $5.98 | 66% |
| TOTAL | 28% | ||
These prices were last updated on May 19, 2013.
Recent Comparisons
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- Cost of living in Santiago is 94% more expensive than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Madrid is about the same as in Barcelona
- Cost of living in New York City is 8% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in London is 16% more expensive than in Paris
- Cost of living in Madrid is 42% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in London is 8% more expensive than in New York City
- Cost of living in New York City is 6% more expensive than in Paris
- Cost of living in Paris is 14% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in London is 66% more expensive than in Strasbourg
Cost of living in Medellín (Colombia) is 28% cheaper than in Houston (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require
$3,750
in Houston
you would need to make just about $2,687
(COL$4,942,895)
in Medellín.