Medellín VS Minneapolis

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Medellín
Colombia
20.4
COLI Index
#109
Global Rank
COP
Currency
Minneapolis
United States
61.4
COLI Index
#43
Global Rank
USD
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
20.4
61.4
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$350
$1,550
Total Deductions
13.2%
27.0%
Exchange Rate
1 COP = 0.0002 USD
Is Medellín cheaper than Minneapolis?

Yes, Medellín is 67% cheaper than Minneapolis based on our cost of living index. Medellín has a COLI of 20.4, while Minneapolis has a COLI of 61.4. 67% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Medellín vs Minneapolis

Overall, Medellín is approximately 67% cheaper than Minneapolis based on our cost of living index. Medellín has a COLI of 20.4 (ranked #109 of 182 cities), while Minneapolis has a COLI of 61.4 (ranked #43).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Medellín averages $350/month compared to $1,550/month in Minneapolis. That makes Medellín approximately 77% cheaper for rent alone.

Medellín has lower total deductions (13.2%) compared to Minneapolis (27.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Medellín. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.

Tax & Deductions Comparison

Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.

Medellín

Income Tax
5%
Health + Pension
8.0%
Total: 13.2%Take-Home: COP 55,208,871/yr

Minneapolis

Income Tax
11%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (MN)
7.85%
Total: 27.0%Take-Home: $33,618/yr

Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.

Salary Equivalent

If you earn COP 311,746,988 in Medellín, you would need approximately $225,735 in Minneapolis to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 67% more due to higher cost of living.

Salary Comparison by Job Title

Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:

Job Title Medellín (COP) Minneapolis (USD)
Doctor (General) COP 152,631,325 $110,520
Software Engineer COP 72,075,904 $52,190
Product Manager COP 84,795,181 $61,400
Lawyer COP 84,795,181 $61,400
Data Scientist COP 80,555,422 $58,330
Marketing Manager COP 61,052,530 $44,208
Teacher COP 40,701,687 $29,472
Nurse COP 49,181,205 $35,612

Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.

Neighborhoods

Medellín (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
El Poblado1.30x (+30%)
San Lucas1.18x (+18%)
Provenza1.15x (+15%)
Laureles1.12x (+12%)
Envigado1.08x (+8%)

Minneapolis (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Kenwood1.30x (+30%)
Edina1.28x (+28%)
North Loop1.25x (+25%)
Linden Hills1.22x (+22%)
Lowry Hill1.20x (+20%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Medellín or Minneapolis more expensive?

Minneapolis is more expensive overall. Medellín has a COLI of 20.4 while Minneapolis has a COLI of 61.4, making Medellín approximately 67% cheaper.

What salary in Minneapolis equals COP 311,746,988 in Medellín?

To maintain the same standard of living as COP 311,746,988 in Medellín, you would need approximately $225,735 in Minneapolis.

Is rent cheaper in Medellín or Minneapolis?

Average one-bedroom rent in Medellín is $350/month compared to $1,550/month in Minneapolis. Medellín has lower rent by approximately 77%.

Which city has lower taxes, Medellín or Minneapolis?

Medellín has lower total deductions (13.2%) compared to Minneapolis (27.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Medellín.

Explore Each City

Data Sources & Methodology

Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.

Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.

Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.