City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,000/month?
Cebu vs Medellín — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Cebu
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 15.5 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Cebu.
Medellín
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 19.1 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Medellín.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Cebu | Medellín | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $340 | $411 | $71 |
| Groceries | $359 | $297 | +$62 |
| Dining Out | $99 | $126 | $27 |
| Transportation | $17 | $40 | $23 |
| Utilities | $134 | $64 | +$70 |
| Other / Misc | $51 | $62 | $11 |
| Total | $1,000 | $1,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Cebu
$1,000
per month
Medellín equivalent
$1,232
per month
You'd need $1,232/mo in Medellín to match $1,000/mo in Cebu.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Cebu on $1,000/month?
Living in Cebu on $1,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$340 to rent, $359 to groceries, $99 to dining.
Can I live in Medellín on $1,000/month?
In Medellín, $1,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $411 rent, $297 groceries, $126 dining.
Is Cebu or Medellín cheaper?
Cebu is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Cebu 15.5 vs Medellín 19.1 (NYC=100).
What is $1,000/mo in Cebu worth in Medellín?
$1,000/mo of purchasing power in Cebu equals ~$1,232/mo in Medellín using COL adjustment.