Medellín vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Medellín is ~48% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Medellín
Colombia
COL+Rent
19.1
Rent Index
8.9
Groceries
30.2
Restaurant
24
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Medellín | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $332 | $819 | $487 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $217 | $644 | $427 |
| Groceries | $198 | $271 | $73 |
| Restaurant Meal | $7 | $14 | $7 |
| Transit Pass | $27 | $75 | $48 |
| Utilities | $43 | $82 | $39 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Medellín | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $454/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $705/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $899/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Medellín | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,906/mo | +$1,406 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,874/mo | +$1,874 |
| $3,000/mo | $5,812/mo | +$2,812 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Medellín vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Medellín is approximately 48% more affordable than Gothenburg when combining rent and daily living costs. Medellín's COL+Rent Index of 19.1 vs Gothenburg's 37 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Medellín costs $332/month versus $819/month in Gothenburg — giving Medellín a $487/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $5,844 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Medellín ($198/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Medellín's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $7 vs $14 show Medellín is the better value for dining out. 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.