Bilbao vs Medellín — Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Which city is cheaper, safer, and better for remote workers? Here's the data.
NoodlePants Verdict — generated from live data
Medellín edges out Bilbao on affordability with a Cost of Living index of 32.4 vs 64 (US=100; very affordable vs mid-priced). Bilbao scores higher on safety (80/100), and Bilbao wins on internet at ~160 Mbps. Overall, Medellín takes the Nomad Score crown with 80/100 — best for budget nomad and latam base.
Metric
Bilbao
Medellín
Avg Rent 1BR (city centre)
US$850
US$580
Avg Rent 1BR (outside centre)
US$650
US$360
Cost of Living (US=100)
64
32
Safety Score
80/100
48/100
Internet Speed
160 Mbps
130 Mbps
Nomad Score
74/100
80/100
Healthcare Score
82/100
70/100
Digital Nomad Visa
Not available
✓ Available
Who is each city for?
Medellín is better for…
Budget nomadLatAm baseSpring climateCommunity
See the Colombia country profileAlso compare
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