Medellin vs Playa del Carmen: cost of living for digital nomads
Medellin, Colombia and Playa del Carmen, Mexico, 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
- Medellin is about 10% cheaper than Playa del Carmen for a month of nomad living ($1,500 vs $1,670).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $720 in Medellin against $820 in Playa del Carmen.
- Playa del Carmen scores higher on safety (7/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Medellin: 100 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Medellin wins 7 of the measured lines; Playa del Carmen wins 1.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Medellin or Playa del Carmen?
Medellin is cheaper: about $1,500/month against $1,670/month in Playa del Carmen, roughly 10% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen scores higher on safety: 7/10 against 6/10 for Medellin.
Which has faster internet, Medellin or Playa del Carmen?
Medellin has faster typical internet: 100 Mbps against 80 Mbps in Playa del Carmen.
| Line | Medellin | Playa del Carmen |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,500 | $1,670 |
| Rent | $720 | $820 |
| Food | $380 | $430 |
| Transport | $45 | $50 |
| Coworking | $120 | $130 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 100 | 80 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | mid |
| Setting | mountain | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 10/10 | 9/10 |
Compare Medellin with
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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, Playa del Carmen November 3, 2026.