Side-by-side city decision # Medellín vs San Sebastián. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link MedellínColombia1/6 VS San SebastiánSpain4/6 $1,305Medellín monthly budget $2,295San Sebastián monthly budget 180 MbpsMedellín internet 310 MbpsSan Sebastián internet Decision summary San Sebastián San Sebastián leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Medellín Speed Fastest internet San Sebastián Vibe Best nomad vibe Tie Safety Highest safety San Sebastián Air Cleanest air San Sebastián Walk Most walkable San Sebastián Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Medellín](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/colombia/medellin.md) Colombia 1/6 Budget$1,305 Internet180 Mbps Vibe8/10 [San Sebastián](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/spain/san-sebastian.md) Spain 4/6 Budget$2,295 Internet310 Mbps Vibe8/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals MetricMedellínSan Sebastián Total estimated budget $1,305 $2,295 1-bed center rent $750 $1,500 Coworking desk $180 $250 Local meal $5.5 $17.5 Cappuccino $2.4 $2.4 Gym membership $35 $55 Transport budget $45 $35 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricMedellínSan Sebastián Internet speed 180 Mbps 310 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricMedellínSan Sebastián Safety index 48/100 82/100 Air quality 60/100 88/100 Walkability 7/10 9/10 Female safety 5/10 9/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 7/10 9/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricMedellínSan Sebastián Healthcare quality Good Excellent English proficiency Basic Good Climate type Subtropical highland Oceanic Best time to visit Dec - Mar Jun - Sep Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [Medellín](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/colombia/medellin.md) Colombia → ### Strengths * Spring-like temperatures throughout the year * Strong café, coworking, and remote-worker scene * Affordable compared with major North American cities * Modern metro, cable cars, and broad ride-hailing coverage * Excellent access to nature and weekend trips * Quality private healthcare at comparatively reasonable prices ### Trade-offs * Petty theft and robbery require active street awareness * Rents in popular expat districts have risen sharply * Traffic and air pollution can be significant in the valley * Spanish is essential for many daily tasks * Rain showers are frequent, especially in wetter months * Short-term rentals can have strict guest and building rules ### Common visa routes * Visa-free visitor entry for eligible nationalities, generally up to 90 days and extendable to 180 days per calendar year * Colombia Digital Nomad Visa (Visa V), generally available for remote workers with qualifying foreign income * Migrant Visa options for investors, spouses, workers, or longer-term residents [San Sebastián](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/spain/san-sebastian.md) Spain → ### Strengths * Exceptional pintxos culture and high-quality local food * Very safe, compact, and highly walkable central districts * Fast fiber internet and reliable mobile coverage * Excellent public healthcare and private medical options * Beautiful beaches, coastal paths, and nearby mountain hikes * Progressive, welcoming atmosphere with strong quality of life ### Trade-offs * Rent is among the highest in Spain, especially near the beach * Wet weather is common throughout the year * Summer brings crowds, festival noise, and scarce short-term rentals * Coworking choice is smaller than in Barcelona or Madrid * Local social circles can take time to enter * Basque and Spanish are more useful than English outside tourist areas ### Common visa routes * Spain Digital Nomad Visa * Schengen short-stay visa exemption or Schengen Visa * Spanish Non-Lucrative Residence Visa Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.