Medellín vs Lisbon
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Medellín is ~56% 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
Lisbon
Portugal
COL+Rent
43.8
Rent Index
30
Groceries
49.1
Restaurant
47.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Medellín | Lisbon | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $332 | $1,337 | $1,005 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $217 | $1,040 | $823 |
| Groceries | $198 | $277 | $79 |
| Restaurant Meal | $7 | $15 | $8 |
| Transit Pass | $27 | $45 | $18 |
| Utilities | $43 | $130 | $87 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Medellín | Lisbon |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $454/mo | $1,469/mo |
| Typical | $705/mo | $2,014/mo |
| Comfortable | $899/mo | $2,495/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Medellín | ≈ in Lisbon | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $3,440/mo | +$1,940 |
| $2,000/mo | $4,586/mo | +$2,586 |
| $3,000/mo | $6,880/mo | +$3,880 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Medellín vs Lisbon for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Medellín is approximately 56% more affordable than Lisbon when combining rent and daily living costs. Medellín's COL+Rent Index of 19.1 vs Lisbon's 43.8 (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 Medellín costs $332/month versus $1,337/month in Lisbon — 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 Medellín ($198/mo) vs Lisbon ($277/mo) reflect Medellín's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $7 vs $15 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.