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Latin America: Cost of Living Compared
Mexico City, Medellín, and Buenos Aires, compared for nomads working on a US or EU income.
Verified Aug 2026 · Cross-checked against ExpatFYI's own verified Mexico City, Medellín, and Buenos Aires cost-of-living guides
| Field | Mexico City | Medellín | Buenos Aires |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR apartment, city area | $900-1,800/month (Roma/Condesa) or $750-1,050 (other neighborhoods) | $500-1,200/month (El Poblado) or $300-700 (Laureles) | $700-1,300/month (Palermo) — dollar-denominated, but confirm current listings given real peso-driven volatility |
| Coworking, monthly | $250-350 | $100-150 | $200-380 |
| Local SIM / data | $5-28 depending on carrier/plan (Telcel most reliable, ~$10 for a common unlimited-social plan) | Similar Colombia-wide pricing to Cartagena/Bogotá, roughly $5-15 | $3-10/month for a standard prepaid data plan (Personal, Movistar, or Claro) |
| Estimated monthly total (excl. rent) | Roughly $255-378 for coworking + data | Roughly $105-165 for coworking + data | Roughly $203-390 for coworking + data |
| Medellín is the clear budget leader here across every category — real, current data consistently puts it well below the other two. Mexico City costs meaningfully more, concentrated specifically in the Roma/Condesa premium — moving to Narvarte or Del Valle closes most of that gap without losing much. Buenos Aires is the wild card: rents are quoted in dollars specifically to insulate against peso inflation, but the underlying dollar figure itself has moved 15-30% since 2024, faster than either Mexico City or Medellín — treat any Buenos Aires figure here as more time-sensitive than the other two. | |||
Check your visa options first
Mexico's Temporary Resident visa is one of the more accessible routes into the region — compare it before you book flights.
See the full city breakdownThis is informational, not advice. Visa, tax, and immigration rules change, and a general guide can't account for your specific situation. Before you act on anything here, confirm current details with the relevant embassy, consulate, or a licensed immigration or tax professional. See our editorial policy for how we verify what we publish.
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