Chiang Mai vs Medellin: cost of living for digital nomads
Chiang Mai, Thailand 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
- Chiang Mai is about 27% cheaper than Medellin for a month of nomad living ($1,100 vs $1,500).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $400 in Chiang Mai against $720 in Medellin.
- Chiang Mai scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Chiang Mai: 210 Mbps typical against 100 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Chiang Mai wins 7 of the measured lines; Medellin wins 0.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Chiang Mai or Medellin?
Chiang Mai is cheaper: about $1,100/month against $1,500/month in Medellin, roughly 27% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Chiang Mai or Medellin?
Chiang Mai scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 6/10 for Medellin.
Which has faster internet, Chiang Mai or Medellin?
Chiang Mai has faster typical internet: 210 Mbps against 100 Mbps in Medellin.
| Line | Chiang Mai | Medellin |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,100 | $1,500 |
| Rent | $400 | $720 |
| Food | $320 | $380 |
| Transport | $40 | $45 |
| Coworking | $100 | $120 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 210 | 100 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | mid | metro |
| Setting | inland | mountain |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
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): Chiang Mai November 6, 2026, Medellin November 8, 2026.