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Medellín vs Buenos Aires

Medellín runs about 11% cheaper than Buenos Aires for this household, a difference of 118 USD a month.

Vista aérea del aeropuerto internacional José María Córdova de Medellín.
Medellín
$1,121/month · Colombia
Felipe Restrepo Acosta · CC BY-SA 4.0
point of access
Buenos Aires
$1,240/month · Argentina
Unknown authorUnknown author · CC BY 2.5 ar
Medellín monthly
$1,121
Index 18 (NYC = 100)
Buenos Aires monthly
$1,240
Index 19 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+11%
Buenos Aires relative to Medellín
Rent gap
$70
Buenos Aires costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

MedellínBuenos Aires
  • Housing
    Housing: Medellín $480, Buenos Aires $550. Cheaper in Medellín.
  • Food
    Food: Medellín $358, Buenos Aires $382. Cheaper in Medellín.
  • Transport
    Transport: Medellín $50, Buenos Aires $56. Cheaper in Medellín.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Medellín $65, Buenos Aires $81. Cheaper in Medellín.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Medellín $16, Buenos Aires $19. Cheaper in Medellín.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Medellín $105, Buenos Aires $101. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Other
    Other: Medellín $48, Buenos Aires $51. 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

MetricMedellínBuenos Aires
Cost
Total monthly cost1,121 USD✓1,240 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)18✓19
Housing480 USD✓550 USD
Utilities65 USD✓81 USD
Food358 USD✓382 USD
Transport50 USD✓56 USD
Healthcare16 USD✓19 USD
Lifestyle105 USD101 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,337 USD✓4,676 USD
Effective tax + social rate36.0%✓43.9%
Left over each month4,216 USD✓3,436 USD
Average local net salary450 USD600 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre480 USD✓550 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,000 USD✓1,100 USD
Buy price per m², centre1,800 USD✓2,200 USD
Quality of life
Safety46/10048/100✓
Healthcare66/10072/100✓
Air quality48/10052/100✓
Public transport62/10074/100✓
Walkability66/10084/100✓
English proficiency34/10044/100✓
Nightlife88/10094/100✓
Family friendliness64/10070/100✓
Median broadband100 Mbps✓90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature22°C18°C✓
Summer high28°C✓29°C
Winter low17°C✓8°C
Sunshine hours per year1,900 h2,500 h✓
Annual rainfall1650 mm1200 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access180 min45 min✓
CurrencyCOPARS
Time zoneAmerica/BogotaAmerica/Argentina/Buenos_Aires

Medellín runs about 11% cheaper than Buenos Aires for this household, a difference of 118 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in MedellínCost of living in Buenos AiresConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Medellín or Buenos Aires cheaper?

Medellín runs about 11% cheaper than Buenos Aires for this household, a difference of 118 USD a month.

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

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

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

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