Medellin vs Tokyo: cost of living for digital nomads
Medellin, Colombia and Tokyo, Japan, 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 46% cheaper than Tokyo for a month of nomad living ($1,500 vs $2,800).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $720 in Medellin against $1,300 in Tokyo.
- Tokyo scores higher on safety (10/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Tokyo: 230 Mbps typical against 100 Mbps.
- Medellin is tropical; Tokyo is temperate.
Medellin wins 6 of the measured lines; Tokyo wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Medellin or Tokyo?
Medellin is cheaper: about $1,500/month against $2,800/month in Tokyo, roughly 46% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Tokyo?
Tokyo scores higher on safety: 10/10 against 6/10 for Medellin.
Which has faster internet, Medellin or Tokyo?
Tokyo has faster typical internet: 230 Mbps against 100 Mbps in Medellin.
| Line | Medellin | Tokyo |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,500 | $2,800 |
| Rent | $720 | $1,300 |
| Food | $380 | $650 |
| Transport | $45 | $120 |
| Coworking | $120 | $200 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 10/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 100 | 230 |
| Climate | tropical | temperate |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | mountain | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 10/10 | 7/10 |
Compare Medellin 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, Tokyo November 11, 2026.