Skip to content

São Paulo vs Medellín

Medellín runs about 16% cheaper than São Paulo for this household, a difference of 210 USD a month.

Foto: Beto Issa/Fórmula 1
São Paulo
$1,331/month · Brazil
Governo do Estado de São Paulo · CC BY 2.0
Vista aérea del aeropuerto internacional José María Córdova de Medellín.
Medellín
$1,121/month · Colombia
Felipe Restrepo Acosta · CC BY-SA 4.0
São Paulo monthly
$1,331
Index 21 (NYC = 100)
Medellín monthly
$1,121
Index 18 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-16%
Medellín relative to São Paulo
Rent gap
$170
São Paulo costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

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

MetricSão PauloMedellín
Cost
Total monthly cost1,331 USD1,121 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)2118✓
Housing650 USD480 USD✓
Utilities101 USD65 USD✓
Food330 USD✓358 USD
Transport70 USD50 USD✓
Healthcare24 USD16 USD✓
Lifestyle105 USD105 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,041 USD✓5,337 USD
Effective tax + social rate27.5%✓36.0%
Left over each month4,710 USD✓4,216 USD
Average local net salary700 USD✓450 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre650 USD480 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,400 USD1,000 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre2,600 USD1,800 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety42/10046/100✓
Healthcare72/100✓66/100
Air quality44/10048/100✓
Public transport66/100✓62/100
Walkability72/100✓66/100
English proficiency32/10034/100✓
Nightlife92/100✓88/100
Family friendliness64/10064/100
Median broadband190 Mbps✓100 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature20°C✓22°C
Summer high28°C28°C
Winter low12°C17°C✓
Sunshine hours per year1,900 h1,900 h
Annual rainfall1450 mm✓1650 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access70 min✓180 min
CurrencyBRLCOP
Time zoneAmerica/Sao_PauloAmerica/Bogota

Medellín runs about 16% cheaper than São Paulo for this household, a difference of 210 USD a month.

Next

Go deeper

Cost of living in São PauloCost of living in MedellínConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
São Paulo vs Buenos AiresSão Paulo vs Mexico CitySão Paulo vs Santiago
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is São Paulo or Medellín cheaper?

Medellín runs about 16% cheaper than São Paulo for this household, a difference of 210 USD a month.

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

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

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

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