San Francisco vs Medellín
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Medellín is ~75% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
San Francisco
United States
COL+Rent
75.6
Rent Index
63.1
Groceries
91.5
Restaurant
96.6
Medellín
Colombia
COL+Rent
19.1
Rent Index
8.9
Groceries
30.2
Restaurant
24
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | San Francisco | Medellín | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,868 | $332 | +$2,536 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,248 | $217 | +$2,031 |
| Groceries | $525 | $198 | +$327 |
| Restaurant Meal | $28 | $7 | +$21 |
| Transit Pass | $92 | $27 | +$65 |
| Utilities | $212 | $43 | +$169 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | San Francisco | Medellín |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $3,032/mo | $454/mo |
| Typical | $4,117/mo | $705/mo |
| Comfortable | $5,072/mo | $899/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in San Francisco | ≈ in Medellín | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $379/mo | -$1,121 |
| $2,000/mo | $505/mo | -$1,495 |
| $3,000/mo | $758/mo | -$2,242 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: San Francisco vs Medellín for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Medellín is approximately 75% more affordable than San Francisco when combining rent and daily living costs. San Francisco's COL+Rent Index of 75.6 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 San Francisco costs $2,868/month versus $332/month in Medellín — giving Medellín a $2,536/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $30,432 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in San Francisco ($525/mo) vs Medellín ($198/mo) reflect Medellín's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $28 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.