City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/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)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Cebu.
Medellín
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 19.1 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Medellín.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Cebu | Medellín | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $511 | $617 | $106 |
| Groceries | $538 | $445 | +$93 |
| Dining Out | $149 | $189 | $40 |
| Transportation | $25 | $61 | $36 |
| Utilities | $201 | $97 | +$104 |
| Other / Misc | $76 | $91 | $15 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Cebu
$1,500
per month
Medellín equivalent
$1,848
per month
You'd need $1,848/mo in Medellín to match $1,500/mo in Cebu.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Cebu on $1,500/month?
Living in Cebu on $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$511 to rent, $538 to groceries, $149 to dining.
Can I live in Medellín on $1,500/month?
In Medellín, $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $617 rent, $445 groceries, $189 dining.
Is Cebu or Medellín cheaper?
Cebu is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Cebu 15.5 vs Medellín 19.1 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Cebu worth in Medellín?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Cebu equals ~$1,848/mo in Medellín using COL adjustment.