Medellin vs Nairobi: cost of living for digital nomads
Medellin, Colombia and Nairobi, Kenya, 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
- Nairobi is about 13% cheaper than Medellin for a month of nomad living ($1,300 vs $1,500).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $580 in Nairobi against $720 in Medellin.
- Both score 6/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Medellin: 100 Mbps typical against 40 Mbps.
- Medellin is tropical; Nairobi is temperate.
Medellin wins 3 of the measured lines; Nairobi wins 4.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Medellin or Nairobi?
Nairobi 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, Medellin or Nairobi?
Medellin and Nairobi score the same on safety, 6/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Medellin or Nairobi?
Medellin has faster typical internet: 100 Mbps against 40 Mbps in Nairobi.
| Line | Medellin | Nairobi |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,500 | $1,300 |
| Rent | $720 | $580 |
| Food | $380 | $360 |
| Transport | $45 | $50 |
| Coworking | $120 | $110 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 100 | 40 |
| Climate | tropical | temperate |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | mountain | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 10/10 | 7/10 |
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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): Medellin November 8, 2026, Nairobi November 9, 2026.