City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Davao vs Medellín — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Davao
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 14 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Davao.
Medellín
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 19.1 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Medellín.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Davao | Medellín | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $482 | $617 | $135 |
| Groceries | $548 | $445 | +$103 |
| Dining Out | $165 | $189 | $24 |
| Transportation | $27 | $61 | $34 |
| Utilities | $206 | $97 | +$109 |
| Other / Misc | $72 | $91 | $19 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Davao
$1,500
per month
Medellín equivalent
$2,046
per month
You'd need $2,046/mo in Medellín to match $1,500/mo in Davao.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Davao on $1,500/month?
Living in Davao on $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$482 to rent, $548 to groceries, $165 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 Davao or Medellín cheaper?
Davao is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Davao 14 vs Medellín 19.1 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Davao worth in Medellín?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Davao equals ~$2,046/mo in Medellín using COL adjustment.