Side-by-side city decision # Xiamen vs Cartagena. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link XiamenChina4/6 VS CartagenaColombia1/6 $950Xiamen monthly budget $1,435Cartagena monthly budget 210 MbpsXiamen internet 150 MbpsCartagena internet Decision summary Xiamen Xiamen leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Xiamen Speed Fastest internet Xiamen Vibe Best nomad vibe Cartagena Safety Highest safety Xiamen Air Cleanest air Xiamen Walk Most walkable Tie Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Xiamen](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/china/xiamen.md) China 4/6 Budget$950 Internet210 Mbps Vibe7/10 [Cartagena](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/colombia/cartagena.md) Colombia 1/6 Budget$1,435 Internet150 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 MetricXiamenCartagena Total estimated budget $950 $1,435 1-bed center rent $520 $850 Coworking desk $165 $180 Local meal $3.5 $6.5 Cappuccino $3.6 $2.4 Gym membership $45 $45 Transport budget $30 $65 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricXiamenCartagena Internet speed 210 Mbps 150 Mbps Nomad vibe 7/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricXiamenCartagena Safety index 79/100 48/100 Air quality 72/100 68/100 Walkability 7/10 7/10 Female safety 8/10 5/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 4/10 6/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricXiamenCartagena Healthcare quality Good Good English proficiency Basic Basic Climate type Humid subtropical monsoon Tropical savanna Best time to visit Oct - Dec Dec - Mar 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. [Xiamen](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/china/xiamen.md) China → ### Strengths * Relaxed coastal setting with beaches and green spaces * Affordable food, public transit, and everyday services * Fast mobile and home broadband coverage * Generally low violent-crime risk * Excellent Fujian and seafood dining * Milder winters than much of northern China ### Trade-offs * Internet access requires a reliable VPN for many global services * English is limited outside international hotels and major attractions * Summer heat, humidity, and typhoon disruption can be intense * China has no dedicated digital nomad visa * International payment cards are not accepted everywhere * Coworking and foreigner-focused community options are limited ### Common visa routes * Tourist L visa * Business M visa * Work permit and Z visa [Cartagena](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/colombia/cartagena.md) Colombia → ### Strengths * Beautiful colonial architecture and Caribbean beaches * Strong restaurant, nightlife, and cultural scene * Affordable local food and ride-hailing * Reliable fiber internet in central neighborhoods * International airport close to the city center * Growing remote-worker and expat community ### Trade-offs * Persistent heat and high humidity * Petty theft and tourist scams require vigilance * Short-term rents rise sharply in high season * Traffic, noise, and street vendors can be intense * English is limited outside tourist-facing businesses * Rainy-season flooding can disrupt local travel ### Common visa routes * Visa-free entry for eligible nationalities, typically 90 days * Tourist stay extension for up to an additional 90 days * Colombia Digital Nomad Visa for eligible remote workers 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.