Cartagena vs Istanbul: cost of living for digital nomads
Cartagena, Colombia and Istanbul, Turkey, 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
- Istanbul is about 3% cheaper than Cartagena for a month of nomad living ($1,400 vs $1,450).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $620 in Cartagena against $650 in Istanbul.
- Istanbul scores higher on safety (7/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Cartagena: 150 Mbps typical against 60 Mbps.
- Cartagena is tropical; Istanbul is mediterranean.
Cartagena wins 2 of the measured lines; Istanbul wins 4.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Cartagena or Istanbul?
Istanbul is cheaper: about $1,400/month against $1,450/month in Cartagena, roughly 3% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Cartagena or Istanbul?
Istanbul scores higher on safety: 7/10 against 6/10 for Cartagena.
Which has faster internet, Cartagena or Istanbul?
Cartagena has faster typical internet: 150 Mbps against 60 Mbps in Istanbul.
| Line | Cartagena | Istanbul |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,450 | $1,400 |
| Rent | $620 | $650 |
| Food | $380 | $380 |
| Transport | $60 | $45 |
| Coworking | $110 | $110 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 150 | 60 |
| Climate | tropical | mediterranean |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
Compare Istanbul 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): Cartagena September 10, 2026, Istanbul November 1, 2026.