Lisbon vs Medellín
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Medellín is ~56% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Lisbon
Portugal
COL+Rent
43.8
Rent Index
30
Groceries
49.1
Restaurant
47.4
Medellín
Colombia
COL+Rent
19.1
Rent Index
8.9
Groceries
30.2
Restaurant
24
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Lisbon | Medellín | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,337 | $332 | +$1,005 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,040 | $217 | +$823 |
| Groceries | $277 | $198 | +$79 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15 | $7 | +$8 |
| Transit Pass | $45 | $27 | +$18 |
| Utilities | $130 | $43 | +$87 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Lisbon | Medellín |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,469/mo | $454/mo |
| Typical | $2,014/mo | $705/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,495/mo | $899/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Lisbon | ≈ in Medellín | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $654/mo | -$846 |
| $2,000/mo | $872/mo | -$1,128 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,308/mo | -$1,692 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Lisbon vs Medellín for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Medellín is approximately 56% more affordable than Lisbon when combining rent and daily living costs. Lisbon's COL+Rent Index of 43.8 vs Medellín's 19.1 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Lisbon costs $1,337/month versus $332/month in Medellín — giving Medellín a $1,005/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $12,060 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Lisbon ($277/mo) vs Medellín ($198/mo) reflect Medellín's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $15 vs $7 show Medellín offers cheaper dining. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Medellín offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $705 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.