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Medellín vs Mexico City

Medellín runs about 49% cheaper than Mexico City for this household, a difference of 545 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
Aerial view taken with drone of the Estadio Olímpico Universitario, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, Mexico City, Mexico.
Mexico City
$1,666/month · Mexico
Own work · CC BY-SA 4.0
Medellín monthly
$1,121
Index 18 (NYC = 100)
Mexico City monthly
$1,666
Index 26 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+49%
Mexico City relative to Medellín
Rent gap
$420
Mexico City costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

MedellínMexico City
  • Housing
    Housing: Medellín $480, Mexico City $900. Cheaper in Medellín.
  • Food
    Food: Medellín $358, Mexico City $456. Cheaper in Medellín.
  • Transport
    Transport: Medellín $50, Mexico City $44. Cheaper in Mexico City.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Medellín $65, Mexico City $70. Cheaper in Medellín.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Medellín $16, Mexico City $23. Cheaper in Medellín.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Medellín $105, Mexico City $117. Cheaper in Medellín.
  • Other
    Other: Medellín $48, Mexico City $57. 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

MetricMedellínMexico City
Cost
Total monthly cost1,121 USD✓1,666 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)18✓26
Housing480 USD✓900 USD
Utilities65 USD✓70 USD
Food358 USD✓456 USD
Transport50 USD44 USD✓
Healthcare16 USD✓23 USD
Lifestyle105 USD✓117 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,337 USD5,823 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate36.0%30.1%✓
Left over each month4,216 USD✓4,156 USD
Average local net salary450 USD750 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre480 USD✓900 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,000 USD✓1,800 USD
Buy price per m², centre1,800 USD✓3,200 USD
Quality of life
Safety46/100✓42/100
Healthcare66/10066/100
Air quality48/100✓34/100
Public transport62/10068/100✓
Walkability66/10074/100✓
English proficiency34/10044/100✓
Nightlife88/10092/100✓
Family friendliness64/10064/100
Median broadband100 Mbps✓90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature22°C17°C✓
Summer high28°C26°C✓
Winter low17°C✓7°C
Sunshine hours per year1,900 h2,500 h✓
Annual rainfall1650 mm850 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access180 min✓None nearby
CurrencyCOPMXN
Time zoneAmerica/BogotaAmerica/Mexico_City

Medellín runs about 49% cheaper than Mexico City for this household, a difference of 545 USD a month.

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

Frequently asked

Is Medellín or Mexico City cheaper?

Medellín runs about 49% cheaper than Mexico City for this household, a difference of 545 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Mexico City compared with Medellín?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,337 a month in Medellín and $5,823 in Mexico City, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Medellín or Mexico City?

Medellín scores 46/100 on safety and 66/100 on healthcare; Mexico City scores 42 and 66. Medellín averages 22°C against 17°C in Mexico City.