Cost of Living: Lisbon vs Medellin (2026)

Medellin is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $703/month in Medellin vs $1616/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Lisbon is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Lisbon has a rate of 0.69 per 100,000 and Medellin has 25.27 per 100,000.

Lisbon scores 79 to Medellin's 52 on livability — the gap is real. Medellin has its charms, but the numbers favor Lisbon. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.

Lisbon: Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (moderate requirements, 2 years (renewable for 3-year periods)). Medellin: Colombia Digital Nomad Visa (V-type) (easy to get, 2 years (renewable)). See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Lisbon is easier for street-level English (72/100) than Medellin (28/100). That's the score that matters for doctors, landlords, and bureaucracy. Office English can still run higher than street English in both cities.

A 1-bedroom in the centre: $703/month in Medellin, $1616/month in Lisbon (Numbeo). That's 57% cheaper rent in Medellin.

Lisbon scores 8.1/10 on the EIU Democracy Index vs 6.3/10 for Medellin. That puts it in 'full democracy' territory — free press, independent courts, the works.

Medellin scores higher on Numbeo's Healthcare Index (79/100 vs 72/100 for Lisbon). That index reflects resident perception of quality, cost, and access — not just whether hospitals exist but whether people trust them.