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.

LineManilaMedellin
Monthly total (USD)$1,300$1,500
Rent$560$720
Food$350$380
Transport$60$45
Coworking$120$120
Safety (out of 10)6/106/10
Internet (Mbps)90100
Climatetropicaltropical
City sizemetrometro
Settingcoastmountain
Nomad score (out of 10)7/1010/10

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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. Check the city pages for the dates each was last verified.