Cost of Living: Medellin vs Taipei (2026)

Medellin is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $703/month in Medellin vs $735/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Taipei is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Medellin has a rate of 25.27 per 100,000 and Taipei has 0.60 per 100,000.

Taipei scores 73 to Medellin's 50 on livability — the gap is real. Medellin has its charms, but the numbers favor Taipei. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.

Medellin: Colombia Digital Nomad Visa (V-type) (easy to get, 2 years (renewable)). Taipei: Taiwan Gold Card (easy to get, 1–3 years (open work permit)). See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Taipei is warmer in summer (32°C vs 26°C). Medellin has milder summers, which suits those who prefer cooler weather. Climate preference is personal — use the weather section above to compare seasons.

Taipei is easier for street-level English (36/100) 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, $735/month in Taipei (Numbeo). That's 4% cheaper rent in Medellin.

Taipei scores 8.9/10 on the EIU Democracy Index vs 6.3/10 for Medellin. That puts it in 'full democracy' territory — free press, independent courts, the works.

Taipei scores higher on our composite healthcare index (81/100 vs 71/100 for Medellin). That score combines clinical outcomes (IHME), universal coverage (WHO), and resident perception (Numbeo) — not just whether hospitals exist but whether the system actually works for settlers.