$80K in Medellín = $73,143 in Oaxaca

Your $80K salary in Medellín (COL 35) has the same purchasing power as $73,143 in Oaxaca (COL 32). Oaxaca is cheaper — your money goes 9% further there.

$80K in Medellín, CO
$5,057/mo take-home
Rent: $500/mo (10% of take-home)
Very comfortable
$73,143/yr in Oaxaca, MX
$4,623/mo take-home
Rent: $400/mo (9% of take-home)
Very comfortable

Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities

What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.

Expense
Medellín
$80K
Oaxaca
$80K (same salary)
Monthly take-home$5,057$5,057
1BR rent$500$400
Groceries$380$380
Transport$150$150
Utilities$55$45
Internet$30$25
Left after essentials$3,942/month$4,057/month
To match your Medellín purchasing power in Oaxaca, you'd need to earn $73,143/year (9% less than $80K). At that salary, you'd have $3,623/mo left after essentials — vs $3,942/mo in Medellín.

Frequently asked questions

What is $80K in Medellín equivalent to in Oaxaca?

$80K in Medellín (COL index 35) has the same purchasing power as $73,143 in Oaxaca (COL index 32). That's 9% less than your current salary.

If I move from Medellín to Oaxaca keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?

Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to Oaxaca, you'd have $115 more per month after core expenses — because Oaxaca is cheaper than Medellín.

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: $80K × (32 ÷ 35) = $73,143. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.

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