Atenas vs Medellin: cost of living for digital nomads
Atenas, Costa Rica and Medellin, Colombia, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Medellin is about 5% cheaper than Atenas for a month of nomad living ($1,500 vs $1,580).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $700 in Atenas against $720 in Medellin.
- Atenas scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Medellin: 100 Mbps typical against 90 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Atenas wins 3 of the measured lines; Medellin wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Atenas or Medellin?
Medellin is cheaper: about $1,500/month against $1,580/month in Atenas, roughly 5% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Atenas or Medellin?
Atenas scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 6/10 for Medellin.
Which has faster internet, Atenas or Medellin?
Medellin has faster typical internet: 100 Mbps against 90 Mbps in Atenas.
| Line | Atenas | Medellin |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,580 | $1,500 |
| Rent | $700 | $720 |
| Food | $420 | $380 |
| Transport | $70 | $45 |
| Coworking | $90 | $120 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 90 | 100 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | small | metro |
| Setting | inland | mountain |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 6/10 | 10/10 |
Compare Atenas with
Compare Medellin with
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Atenas September 10, 2026, Medellin November 8, 2026.