$60K in Lima = $52,500 in Medellín

Your $60K salary in Lima (COL 40) has the same purchasing power as $52,500 in Medellín (COL 35). Medellín is cheaper — your money goes 12% further there.

$60K in Lima, PE
$3,793/mo take-home
Rent: $500/mo (13% of take-home)
Very comfortable
$52,500/yr in Medellín, CO
$3,318/mo take-home
Rent: $500/mo (15% of take-home)
Very comfortable

Budget breakdown — $60K in both cities

What $60K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.

Expense
Lima
$60K
Medellín
$60K (same salary)
Monthly take-home$3,793$3,793
1BR rent$500$500
Groceries$380$380
Transport$150$150
Utilities$55$55
Internet$25$30
Left after essentials$2,683/month$2,678/month
To match your Lima purchasing power in Medellín, you'd need to earn $52,500/year (12% less than $60K). At that salary, you'd have $2,203/mo left after essentials — vs $2,683/mo in Lima.

Frequently asked questions

What is $60K in Lima equivalent to in Medellín?

$60K in Lima (COL index 40) has the same purchasing power as $52,500 in Medellín (COL index 35). That's 12% less than your current salary.

If I move from Lima to Medellín keeping my $60K salary, will I be better off?

Yes. If you keep earning $60K after moving to Medellín, you'd have $-5 more per month after core expenses — because Medellín is cheaper than Lima.

How is the salary equivalent calculated?

The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $60K × (35 ÷ 40) = $52,500. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.

Other salary amounts — Lima to Medellín

$40K → $35,000$50K → $43,750$75K → $65,625$80K → $70,000$100K → $87,500$120K → $105,000$150K → $131,250
$60K in Medellín → LimaMoving from Lima to MedellínLima vs Medellín — full comparisonCan I afford Lima vs Medellín on $60K?

Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only