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Manila vs Medellín

Medellín runs about 7% cheaper than Manila for this household, a difference of 86 USD a month.

Binondo skyline skyscrapers
Manila
$1,207/month · Philippines
Patrickroque01 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Vista aérea del aeropuerto internacional José María Córdova de Medellín.
Medellín
$1,121/month · Colombia
Felipe Restrepo Acosta · CC BY-SA 4.0
Manila monthly
$1,207
Index 19 (NYC = 100)
Medellín monthly
$1,121
Index 18 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-7%
Medellín relative to Manila
Rent gap
$20
Manila costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

ManilaMedellín
  • Housing
    Housing: Manila $500, Medellín $480. Cheaper in Medellín.
  • Food
    Food: Manila $366, Medellín $358. Cheaper in Medellín.
  • Transport
    Transport: Manila $48, Medellín $50. Cheaper in Manila.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Manila $121, Medellín $65. Cheaper in Medellín.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Manila $16, Medellín $16. Cheaper in Medellín.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Manila $104, Medellín $105. Cheaper in Manila.
  • Other
    Other: Manila $52, 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

MetricManilaMedellín
Cost
Total monthly cost1,207 USD1,121 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)1918✓
Housing500 USD480 USD✓
Utilities121 USD65 USD✓
Food366 USD358 USD✓
Transport48 USD✓50 USD
Healthcare16 USD16 USD✓
Lifestyle104 USD✓105 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,021 USD✓5,337 USD
Effective tax + social rate27.7%✓36.0%
Left over each month4,814 USD✓4,216 USD
Average local net salary450 USD450 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre500 USD480 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,100 USD1,000 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre3,400 USD1,800 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety46/10046/100
Healthcare58/10066/100✓
Air quality34/10048/100✓
Public transport30/10062/100✓
Walkability44/10066/100✓
English proficiency86/100✓34/100
Nightlife78/10088/100✓
Family friendliness60/10064/100✓
Median broadband120 Mbps✓100 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature28°C22°C✓
Summer high33°C28°C✓
Winter low23°C✓17°C
Sunshine hours per year2,100 h✓1,900 h
Annual rainfall2000 mm1650 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access90 min✓180 min
CurrencyPHPCOP
Time zoneAsia/ManilaAmerica/Bogota

Medellín runs about 7% cheaper than Manila for this household, a difference of 86 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in ManilaCost of living in MedellínConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Manila or Medellín cheaper?

Medellín runs about 7% cheaper than Manila for this household, a difference of 86 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Medellín compared with Manila?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,021 a month in Manila and $5,337 in Medellín, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Manila or Medellín?

Manila scores 46/100 on safety and 58/100 on healthcare; Medellín scores 46 and 66. Manila averages 28°C against 22°C in Medellín.