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Medellín vs São Paulo

Medellín runs about 19% cheaper than São Paulo for this household, a difference of 210 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
Foto: Beto Issa/Fórmula 1
São Paulo
$1,331/month · Brazil
Governo do Estado de São Paulo · CC BY 2.0
Medellín monthly
$1,121
Index 18 (NYC = 100)
São Paulo monthly
$1,331
Index 21 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+19%
São Paulo relative to Medellín
Rent gap
$170
São Paulo costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

MedellínSão Paulo
  • Housing
    Housing: Medellín $480, São Paulo $650. Cheaper in Medellín.
  • Food
    Food: Medellín $358, São Paulo $330. Cheaper in São Paulo.
  • Transport
    Transport: Medellín $50, São Paulo $70. Cheaper in Medellín.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Medellín $65, São Paulo $101. Cheaper in Medellín.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Medellín $16, São Paulo $24. Cheaper in Medellín.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Medellín $105, São Paulo $105. Cheaper in Medellín.
  • Other
    Other: Medellín $48, São Paulo $50. 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

MetricMedellínSão Paulo
Cost
Total monthly cost1,121 USD✓1,331 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)18✓21
Housing480 USD✓650 USD
Utilities65 USD✓101 USD
Food358 USD330 USD✓
Transport50 USD✓70 USD
Healthcare16 USD✓24 USD
Lifestyle105 USD105 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,337 USD6,041 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate36.0%27.5%✓
Left over each month4,216 USD4,710 USD✓
Average local net salary450 USD700 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre480 USD✓650 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,000 USD✓1,400 USD
Buy price per m², centre1,800 USD✓2,600 USD
Quality of life
Safety46/100✓42/100
Healthcare66/10072/100✓
Air quality48/100✓44/100
Public transport62/10066/100✓
Walkability66/10072/100✓
English proficiency34/100✓32/100
Nightlife88/10092/100✓
Family friendliness64/10064/100
Median broadband100 Mbps190 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature22°C20°C✓
Summer high28°C28°C
Winter low17°C✓12°C
Sunshine hours per year1,900 h1,900 h
Annual rainfall1650 mm1450 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access180 min70 min✓
CurrencyCOPBRL
Time zoneAmerica/BogotaAmerica/Sao_Paulo

Medellín runs about 19% cheaper than São Paulo for this household, a difference of 210 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in MedellínCost of living in São PauloConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Medellín vs Buenos AiresMedellín vs SantiagoMedellín vs Mexico City
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Medellín or São Paulo cheaper?

Medellín runs about 19% cheaper than São Paulo for this household, a difference of 210 USD a month.

What salary do you need in São Paulo compared with Medellín?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,337 a month in Medellín and $6,041 in São Paulo, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Medellín or São Paulo?

Medellín scores 46/100 on safety and 66/100 on healthcare; São Paulo scores 42 and 72. Medellín averages 22°C against 20°C in São Paulo.