Bocas del Toro vs Medellin: cost of living for digital nomads
Bocas del Toro, Panama 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 3% cheaper than Bocas del Toro for a month of nomad living ($1,500 vs $1,540).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $650 in Bocas del Toro against $720 in Medellin.
- Both score 6/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Medellin: 100 Mbps typical against 50 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Bocas del Toro wins 2 of the measured lines; Medellin wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Bocas del Toro or Medellin?
Medellin is cheaper: about $1,500/month against $1,540/month in Bocas del Toro, roughly 3% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Bocas del Toro or Medellin?
Bocas del Toro and Medellin score the same on safety, 6/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Bocas del Toro or Medellin?
Medellin has faster typical internet: 100 Mbps against 50 Mbps in Bocas del Toro.
| Line | Bocas del Toro | Medellin |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,540 | $1,500 |
| Rent | $650 | $720 |
| Food | $420 | $380 |
| Transport | $70 | $45 |
| Coworking | $100 | $120 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 50 | 100 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | small | metro |
| Setting | island | mountain |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 6/10 | 10/10 |
Compare Bocas del Toro 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): Bocas del Toro September 10, 2026, Medellin November 8, 2026.