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Medellín vs Manila

Medellín runs about 8% cheaper than Manila for this household, a difference of 86 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
Binondo skyline skyscrapers
Manila
$1,207/month · Philippines
Patrickroque01 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Medellín monthly
$1,121
Index 18 (NYC = 100)
Manila monthly
$1,207
Index 19 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+8%
Manila relative to Medellín
Rent gap
$20
Manila costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

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

MetricMedellínManila
Cost
Total monthly cost1,121 USD✓1,207 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)18✓19
Housing480 USD✓500 USD
Utilities65 USD✓121 USD
Food358 USD✓366 USD
Transport50 USD48 USD✓
Healthcare16 USD✓16 USD
Lifestyle105 USD104 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,337 USD6,021 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate36.0%27.7%✓
Left over each month4,216 USD4,814 USD✓
Average local net salary450 USD450 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre480 USD✓500 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,000 USD✓1,100 USD
Buy price per m², centre1,800 USD✓3,400 USD
Quality of life
Safety46/10046/100
Healthcare66/100✓58/100
Air quality48/100✓34/100
Public transport62/100✓30/100
Walkability66/100✓44/100
English proficiency34/10086/100✓
Nightlife88/100✓78/100
Family friendliness64/100✓60/100
Median broadband100 Mbps120 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature22°C✓28°C
Summer high28°C✓33°C
Winter low17°C23°C✓
Sunshine hours per year1,900 h2,100 h✓
Annual rainfall1650 mm✓2000 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access180 min90 min✓
CurrencyCOPPHP
Time zoneAmerica/BogotaAsia/Manila

Medellín runs about 8% cheaper than Manila for this household, a difference of 86 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in MedellínCost of living in ManilaConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Medellín vs Buenos AiresMedellín vs São PauloMedellín vs Santiago
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Medellín or Manila cheaper?

Medellín runs about 8% cheaper than Manila for this household, a difference of 86 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Manila compared with Medellín?

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

Which has better quality of life, Medellín or Manila?

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