City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,000/month?
Medellín vs Davao — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Medellín
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 19.1 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Medellín.
Davao
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 14 (NYC=100)
$1,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Davao.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Medellín | Davao | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $411 | $321 | +$90 |
| Groceries | $297 | $366 | $69 |
| Dining Out | $126 | $110 | +$16 |
| Transportation | $40 | $18 | +$22 |
| Utilities | $64 | $137 | $73 |
| Other / Misc | $62 | $48 | +$14 |
| Total | $1,000 | $1,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Medellín
$1,000
per month
Davao equivalent
$733
per month
Only $733/mo in Davao matches $1,000/mo in Medellín — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Medellín on $1,000/month?
Living in Medellín on $1,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$411 to rent, $297 to groceries, $126 to dining.
Can I live in Davao on $1,000/month?
In Davao, $1,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $321 rent, $366 groceries, $110 dining.
Is Medellín or Davao cheaper?
Davao is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Medellín 19.1 vs Davao 14 (NYC=100).
What is $1,000/mo in Medellín worth in Davao?
$1,000/mo of purchasing power in Medellín equals ~$733/mo in Davao using COL adjustment.