Cost of Living: Atenas vs Medellin (2026)
Costa Rica vs Colombia — relocation comparison
- No VAT exemption
- 28% social
- €300/yr accountant
Sourced from Numbeo · Updated April 2026
Sources: Numbeo · UNODC · Ookla · WHO · EIU · World Bank · Freedom House · Updated April 2026
Sun
How much sky you actually get
Source: WeatherSpark (clear-sky share of daytime hours)
Settler Essentials
Visa stamps:Easy <90 daysModerate 3–6 moComplex 6+ mo
Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · IEA · official immigration portals
Reproductive Rights
Because your body shouldn't need a visa too
Permitted only to avoid danger to the mother's life or health. No gestational limit specified for therapeutic exceptions.
Legal on request up to 24 weeks since 2022 Constitutional Court ruling.
Source: Center for Reproductive Rights
LGBTQ+ Rights
Can you hold hands without doing a risk assessment first
Rainbow Index source: ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map (European cities) / Equaldex Equality Index (elsewhere) — two distinct scales
The Short Version
- •Rent is 8% cheaper in Atenas ($650/mo vs $703/mo for a 1BR city centre).
- •Summers are slightly warmer in Atenas (27°C vs 26°C).
- •Atenas is safer by homicide rate (17.7 vs 25.3 per 100k).
- •Atenas scores higher on democracy (8.3 vs 6.3 / 10 EIU).
Atenas vs Medellin — Common Questions
Is Atenas cheaper than Medellin?▾
Atenas is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $650/month there vs $703/month in the other city (Numbeo data).
Which is safer, Atenas or Medellin?▾
Atenas is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Atenas has a rate of 17.75 per 100,000 and Medellin has 25.27 per 100,000.
Should I move to Atenas or Medellin?▾
Atenas scores 61 to Medellin's 50 on livability — the gap is real. Medellin has its charms, but the numbers favor Atenas. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.
Is it easier to get residency in Atenas or Medellin?▾
Atenas: Costa Rica Pensionado (easy to get, 2 years (renewable, PR after 3 years)). Medellin: Colombia Digital Nomad Visa (V-type) (easy to get, 2 years (renewable)). See each city's profile page for full requirements.
What's the cost of rent in Atenas vs Medellin?▾
A 1-bedroom in the centre: $650/month in Atenas, $703/month in Medellin (Numbeo). That's 7% cheaper rent in Atenas.
Is Atenas or Medellin better for democracy and rule of law?▾
Atenas scores 8.3/10 on the EIU Democracy Index vs 6.3/10 for Medellin. That puts it in 'full democracy' territory — free press, independent courts, the works.
Plot twist: other matchups exist
Maybe the real city was the comparisons we made along the way.
Compare Atenas
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Compare Medellin
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Let the algorithm judge you
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