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Mexico City vs Medellín

Medellín runs about 33% cheaper than Mexico City for this household, a difference of 545 USD a month.

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
Vista aérea del aeropuerto internacional José María Córdova de Medellín.
Medellín
$1,121/month · Colombia
Felipe Restrepo Acosta · CC BY-SA 4.0
Mexico City monthly
$1,666
Index 26 (NYC = 100)
Medellín monthly
$1,121
Index 18 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-33%
Medellín relative to Mexico City
Rent gap
$420
Mexico City costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

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

MetricMexico CityMedellín
Cost
Total monthly cost1,666 USD1,121 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)2618✓
Housing900 USD480 USD✓
Utilities70 USD65 USD✓
Food456 USD358 USD✓
Transport44 USD✓50 USD
Healthcare23 USD16 USD✓
Lifestyle117 USD105 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,823 USD✓5,337 USD
Effective tax + social rate30.1%✓36.0%
Left over each month4,156 USD4,216 USD✓
Average local net salary750 USD✓450 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre900 USD480 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,800 USD1,000 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre3,200 USD1,800 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety42/10046/100✓
Healthcare66/10066/100
Air quality34/10048/100✓
Public transport68/100✓62/100
Walkability74/100✓66/100
English proficiency44/100✓34/100
Nightlife92/100✓88/100
Family friendliness64/10064/100
Median broadband90 Mbps100 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature17°C✓22°C
Summer high26°C✓28°C
Winter low7°C17°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,500 h✓1,900 h
Annual rainfall850 mm✓1650 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach accessNone nearby180 min✓
CurrencyMXNCOP
Time zoneAmerica/Mexico_CityAmerica/Bogota

Medellín runs about 33% cheaper than Mexico City for this household, a difference of 545 USD a month.

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

Frequently asked

Is Mexico City or Medellín cheaper?

Medellín runs about 33% cheaper than Mexico City for this household, a difference of 545 USD a month.

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

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

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

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