⚖️ City comparison
San Francisco vs Medellín
Thinking of leaving San Francisco for Medellín? Here is how life in Medellín, Colombia compares with San Francisco on cost, weather, safety, internet, and what it takes to stay.
The short version
- Medellín is 69% cheaper: $1,644 vs $5,272 a month all-in for one person.
- Rent is lower in Medellín: $916 vs $3,643 for a 1-bedroom in the centre.
- Medellín has more pleasant weather: 11 pleasant months a year vs 8.
- Medellín is warmer: highs average 17°F more across the year (coldest-month high 79°F vs 57°F in San Francisco; hottest 82°F vs 71°F).
- Residents rate Medellín safer: a safety index of 46 vs 40 out of 100 (Numbeo survey).
- The air is cleaner in San Francisco: PM2.5 of 4.6 vs 13.4 µg/m³ a year.
- To live in Medellín you'd need a visa: Colombia offers the Digital Nomad Visa (V type) ($1,400/mo), and 90 days visa-free to look around first.
Side by side
| Measure | 🇨🇴 Medellín | 🇺🇸 San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Fit score (default weights) | 72 | 51 |
| 💰 All-in / month | $1,644 | $5,272 |
| 🏠 1BR rent, centre | $916 | $3,643 |
| 🛒 Living costs, no rent | $728 | $1,629 |
| ☀️ Pleasant months | 11 | 8 |
| 🌡️ Highs, coldest–hottest month | 79–82°F | 57–71°F |
| 🛡️ Safety | 46/100 (residents) | 40/100 (residents) |
| 📶 Internet, median download | 315 Mbps | 364 Mbps |
| 🌬️ Air, PM2.5 per year | 13.4 µg/m³ | 4.6 µg/m³ |
| 🗣️ English | Low (EF) | Official language |
| 🏥 Healthcare access (WHO) | Very high | Very high |
| 👩 Women's safety & rights | Very low | High |
| 🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ equality | High | High |
| ✈️ Flight to the US (est.) | ~3h to Miami | In the US |
| 🕘 US work-hour overlap | 8 h | 6 h |
| 🗓️ Visa-free stay (US passport) | 90 days | You live here |
| 🛂 Nomad visa | Digital Nomad Visa (V type) | Not needed |
| 🧾 Tax if resident | 🔴 Heavy · Worldwide income, top 39% | US tax as now |
Best months to be there
🇨🇴 Medellín
12 best months
🇺🇸 San Francisco
3 best months
Colour is each month's typical temperature; ticked months are the most comfortable. Full detail: Medellín climate · San Francisco climate.
Data last updated · Source: Numbeo cost data, measured climate history, Ookla, UNODC/Numbeo safety and curated visa research
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