Skip to content

Buenos Aires vs Medellín

Medellín runs about 10% cheaper than Buenos Aires for this household, a difference of 118 USD a month.

point of access
Buenos Aires
$1,240/month · Argentina
Unknown authorUnknown author · CC BY 2.5 ar
Vista aérea del aeropuerto internacional José María Córdova de Medellín.
Medellín
$1,121/month · Colombia
Felipe Restrepo Acosta · CC BY-SA 4.0
Buenos Aires monthly
$1,240
Index 19 (NYC = 100)
Medellín monthly
$1,121
Index 18 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-10%
Medellín relative to Buenos Aires
Rent gap
$70
Buenos Aires costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Buenos AiresMedellín
  • Housing
    Housing: Buenos Aires $550, Medellín $480. Cheaper in Medellín.
  • Food
    Food: Buenos Aires $382, Medellín $358. Cheaper in Medellín.
  • Transport
    Transport: Buenos Aires $56, Medellín $50. Cheaper in Medellín.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Buenos Aires $81, Medellín $65. Cheaper in Medellín.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Buenos Aires $19, Medellín $16. Cheaper in Medellín.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Buenos Aires $101, Medellín $105. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Other
    Other: Buenos Aires $51, Medellín $48. Cheaper in Medellín.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricBuenos AiresMedellín
Cost
Total monthly cost1,240 USD1,121 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)1918✓
Housing550 USD480 USD✓
Utilities81 USD65 USD✓
Food382 USD358 USD✓
Transport56 USD50 USD✓
Healthcare19 USD16 USD✓
Lifestyle101 USD✓105 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,676 USD5,337 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate43.9%36.0%✓
Left over each month3,436 USD4,216 USD✓
Average local net salary600 USD✓450 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre550 USD480 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,100 USD1,000 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre2,200 USD1,800 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety48/100✓46/100
Healthcare72/100✓66/100
Air quality52/100✓48/100
Public transport74/100✓62/100
Walkability84/100✓66/100
English proficiency44/100✓34/100
Nightlife94/100✓88/100
Family friendliness70/100✓64/100
Median broadband90 Mbps100 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature18°C✓22°C
Summer high29°C28°C✓
Winter low8°C17°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,500 h✓1,900 h
Annual rainfall1200 mm✓1650 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access45 min✓180 min
CurrencyARSCOP
Time zoneAmerica/Argentina/Buenos_AiresAmerica/Bogota

Medellín runs about 10% cheaper than Buenos Aires for this household, a difference of 118 USD a month.

Next

Go deeper

Cost of living in Buenos AiresCost of living in MedellínConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Buenos Aires vs São PauloBuenos Aires vs SantiagoBuenos Aires vs Mexico City
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Buenos Aires or Medellín cheaper?

Medellín runs about 10% cheaper than Buenos Aires for this household, a difference of 118 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Medellín compared with Buenos Aires?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $4,676 a month in Buenos Aires and $5,337 in Medellín, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Buenos Aires or Medellín?

Buenos Aires scores 48/100 on safety and 72/100 on healthcare; Medellín scores 46 and 66. Buenos Aires averages 18°C against 22°C in Medellín.