Chiang Mai vs Medellín — Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Which city is cheaper, safer, and better for remote workers? Here's the data.
Chiang Mai
Thailand
COL Index
30
very affordable
Medellín
Colombia
COL Index
32
very affordable
NoodlePants Verdict — generated from live data
Chiang Mai edges out Medellín on affordability with a NoodlePants COL Index of 30.4 vs 32.4 (very affordable vs very affordable). Chiang Mai scores higher on safety (78/100), and Chiang Mai wins on internet at ~180 Mbps. Overall, Chiang Mai takes the Nomad Score crown with 86/100 — best for budget nomad and long-stay nomad.
Metric
Chiang Mai
Medellín
Avg Rent 1BR (city centre)
$380
$580
Avg Rent 1BR (outside centre)
$250
$360
NoodlePants COL Index
30
32
Safety Score
78/100
48/100
Internet Speed
180 Mbps
130 Mbps
Nomad Score
86/100
80/100
Healthcare Score
74/100
70/100
Digital Nomad Visa
✓ Available
✓ Available
Who is each city for?
Chiang Mai is better for…
Budget nomadLong-stay nomadCoworkingSlow living
See the Thailand country profileMedellín is better for…
Budget nomadLatAm baseSpring climateCommunity
See the Colombia country profileAlso compare
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