Manila vs Medellin: cost of living for digital nomads
Manila, Philippines 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
- Manila is about 13% cheaper than Medellin for a month of nomad living ($1,300 vs $1,500).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $560 in Manila against $720 in Medellin.
- Both score 6/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Medellin: 100 Mbps typical against 90 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Manila wins 3 of the measured lines; Medellin wins 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Manila or Medellin?
Manila is cheaper: about $1,300/month against $1,500/month in Medellin, roughly 13% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Manila or Medellin?
Manila and Medellin score the same on safety, 6/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Manila or Medellin?
Medellin has faster typical internet: 100 Mbps against 90 Mbps in Manila.
| Line | Manila | Medellin |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,300 | $1,500 |
| Rent | $560 | $720 |
| Food | $350 | $380 |
| Transport | $60 | $45 |
| Coworking | $120 | $120 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 90 | 100 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | mountain |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 10/10 |
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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): Manila November 9, 2026, Medellin November 8, 2026.