Cebu vs Santa Marta: cost of living for digital nomads
Cebu, Philippines and Santa Marta, 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
- Cebu is about 4% cheaper than Santa Marta for a month of nomad living ($1,100 vs $1,140).
- Both score 6/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Santa Marta: 100 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Cebu wins 3 of the measured lines; Santa Marta wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Cebu or Santa Marta?
Cebu is cheaper: about $1,100/month against $1,140/month in Santa Marta, roughly 4% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Cebu or Santa Marta?
Cebu and Santa Marta score the same on safety, 6/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Cebu or Santa Marta?
Santa Marta has faster typical internet: 100 Mbps against 80 Mbps in Cebu.
| Line | Cebu | Santa Marta |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,100 | $1,140 |
| Rent | $450 | $450 |
| Food | $300 | $320 |
| Transport | $50 | $50 |
| Coworking | $100 | $90 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 80 | 100 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | mid |
| Setting | island | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 6/10 |
Compare Santa Marta 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): Cebu November 4, 2026, Santa Marta September 10, 2026.