Medellin, Colombia
Editor
March 12, 2023
Medellin, Colombia is an increasingly popular destination for digital nomads. With its vibrant culture, stunning scenery, and low cost of living, it's no wonder why so many digital nomads are flocking to this South American city. According to a recent survey, Medellin is the second most popular destination for digital nomads in the world, behind only Thailand. The city offers a wide range of activities and attractions, from its bustling nightlife to its stunning natural beauty. The cost of living in Medellin is also incredibly low, with the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment costing just $400 USD. Additionally, the city boasts a strong and reliable internet connection, making it an ideal place for digital nomads to work and stay connected. With its vibrant culture, stunning scenery, and low cost of living, Medellin is quickly becoming one of the most popular destinations for digital nomads.
Living in Medellin, Colombia: Overview
Overall score | Worksplorer index
-
84%
Quality of life -
18%
Cost of living -
79%
Connectivity -
100%
Weather
53
General
| Currency | COP |
| Population (in millions) | 2.5 |
| Quality of life (world rank from 1 to 200) | 78 |
| Cost of living compared to Chicago, USA | 40% cheaper |
| Best neighborhood to stay | El Poblado, Envigado |
Culture
| Number of museums and galleries | 30 |
| Top selling local beer | Aguila |
| Most popular local dish | Bandeja Paisa |
Travel
| Most popular tourist attraction(s) | Parque Arvi, Pueblito Paisa, Botanical Garden |
| Discount airline | VivaColombia |
| Major airline | Avianca |
| Largest ride sharing company | Cabify |
| Primary train stations | Estación de la Sabana, Estación de Envigado, Estación de Itagüí |
| Primary airports | Jose Maria Cordova, Olaya Herrera, Enrique Olaya Herrera |
| Best rental car company | Localiza |
| Used car costs | 80000 COP |
Connectivity
| Apple store addresses | Carrera 43A #7 Sur-150, Local 2-02, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia |
| Internet connection (in Mbps) | 20 Mbps |
| Power socket type | A,B |
| Supply voltage | 110V |
| Best electronics store | Falabella |
| Best internet carrier | Claro |
| Primary cellular carrier | Claro |
| Average monthly cost for internet | 80,000 COP |
Shopping
| The best drug store | Drogasil |
| Best restaurant chain | El Cielo |
| The best grocery store | Exito |
| The most popular fashion brand | Mango |
Regulatory
| GDP per capita | $7,845 / year |
| Average annual income | $14000 |
| Sales tax rate | 19% |
| Income tax rate | 33% |
| Tourist visa valid (in days) | 90 days |
Financial
| Average mortgage rate | 8.5% |
| Suggested ATM take out | 200,000 COP |
| Bank that has the most ATM machines | Bancolombia |
| Average tip in restaurant | 15% |
| Pay using credit or debit card | Becoming more common |
Health
| Emergency Phone Numbers | 112 (general), 123 (police), 132 (ambulance), 131 (firefighters) |
| Polution per square meter | 2,845 |
| Health quality rank (according to WHO) | 73 |
| Main religion | Catholic |
Quality of life
84%
-
44%
Safety, freedom, rights -
99%
Traffic -
128%
Property to income -
56%
Crime -
79%
Healthcare -
100%
Weather
Salaries
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | COP 1,723,731 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 10.95% |
Childcare
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | COP 701,250 |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | COP 21,100,000 |
Cost of living
18%
-
Purchasing Power
35%
-
Rent
9%
-
Food
24%
-
Restaurant
20%
-
Workspace
63%
-
Transport
39%
Rent
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre Per Month | COP 1,356,110.24 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre Per Month | COP 1,101,477.16 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre Per Month | COP 2,445,538.21 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre Per Month | COP 1,860,795.27 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend), Sports And Leisure | COP 46,111.11 |
Food
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | COP 3,314.84 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | COP 4,415.51 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | COP 6,870.77 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | COP 15,718.77 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | COP 2,591.23 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | COP 29,990.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | COP 3,876.31 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | COP 6,653.68 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | COP 8,000.00 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | COP 20,043.36 |
| Apples (1kg) | COP 9,867.78 |
| Oranges (1kg) | COP 4,642.12 |
| Potato (1kg) | COP 4,927.39 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | COP 3,034.25 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | COP 3,989.27 |
| Tomato (1kg) | COP 4,685.31 |
| Banana (1kg) | COP 3,292.34 |
| Onion (1kg) | COP 4,600.73 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | COP 27,610.82 |
Restaurants
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | COP 17,000.00 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | COP 92,749.92 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | COP 23,500.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | COP 5,000.00 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | COP 9,000.00 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | COP 3,365.95 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | COP 2,633.57 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | COP 5,313.39 |
Connectivity
94%
Infrastructure
89/100
Internet speed
92/100
Internet cost
95/100
Pre-paid plan
98/100
Utilities (Monthly)
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | COP 269,313.75 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | COP 166.67 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | COP 102,997.72 |
Sports
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | COP 85,209.52 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | COP 46,111.11 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | COP 15,000.00 |
Transportation
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | COP 2,650.00 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | COP 150,000.00 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | COP 2,469.99 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | COP 75,000,000.00 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | COP 96,500,000.00 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | COP 5,000.00 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | COP 6,800.00 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | COP 30,000.00 |