Medellin vs Sao Paulo: cost of living for digital nomads
Medellin, Colombia and Sao Paulo, Brazil, 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 6% cheaper than Sao Paulo for a month of nomad living ($1,500 vs $1,600).
- Both score 6/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Sao Paulo: 150 Mbps typical against 100 Mbps.
- Medellin is tropical; Sao Paulo is temperate.
Medellin wins 5 of the measured lines; Sao Paulo wins 1.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Medellin or Sao Paulo?
Medellin is cheaper: about $1,500/month against $1,600/month in Sao Paulo, roughly 6% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Sao Paulo?
Medellin and Sao Paulo score the same on safety, 6/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Medellin or Sao Paulo?
Sao Paulo has faster typical internet: 150 Mbps against 100 Mbps in Medellin.
| Line | Medellin | Sao Paulo |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,500 | $1,600 |
| Rent | $720 | $720 |
| Food | $380 | $430 |
| Transport | $45 | $55 |
| Coworking | $120 | $130 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 100 | 150 |
| Climate | tropical | temperate |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | mountain | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 10/10 | 8/10 |
Compare Medellin with
Compare Sao Paulo 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): Medellin November 8, 2026, Sao Paulo November 8, 2026.