Medellín vs Wellington
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Medellín is ~62% 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
Wellington
New Zealand
COL+Rent
50.9
Rent Index
32
Groceries
72.8
Restaurant
56.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Medellín | Wellington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $332 | $1,478 | $1,146 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $217 | $1,179 | $962 |
| Groceries | $198 | $404 | $206 |
| Restaurant Meal | $7 | $18 | $11 |
| Transit Pass | $27 | $111 | $84 |
| Utilities | $43 | $141 | $98 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Medellín | Wellington |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $454/mo | $1,786/mo |
| Typical | $705/mo | $2,404/mo |
| Comfortable | $899/mo | $2,977/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Medellín | ≈ in Wellington | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $3,997/mo | +$2,497 |
| $2,000/mo | $5,330/mo | +$3,330 |
| $3,000/mo | $7,995/mo | +$4,995 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Medellín vs Wellington for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Medellín is approximately 62% more affordable than Wellington when combining rent and daily living costs. Medellín's COL+Rent Index of 19.1 vs Wellington's 50.9 (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 $1,478/month in Wellington — giving Medellín a $1,146/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $13,752 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Medellín ($198/mo) vs Wellington ($404/mo) reflect Medellín's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $7 vs $18 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.