All Comparisons
Medellín vs Cartagena FIRE Retirement Cost Comparison
Which city is better for FIRE retirement? A data-driven comparison of portfolio requirements, monthly costs, and lifestyle factors.
🇨🇴
Medellín
Colombia
Lean FIRE $720K
FIRE Number $1.26M
Fat FIRE $2.9M
Monthly Cost $4,200/mo
Warm Good Common Exercise caution Easy
🇨🇴
Cartagena
Colombia
Lean FIRE $645K
FIRE Number $1.14M
Fat FIRE $2.5M
Monthly Cost $3,800/mo
Tropical Adequate Limited Exercise caution Easy
More affordable: Cartagena (saves $120K in required portfolio)
Better healthcare: Medellín (Good)
Easier visa: Medellín (Easy)
Better safety: Medellín (Exercise caution)
Detailed Comparison
| Category | 🇨🇴 Medellín | 🇨🇴 Cartagena |
|---|---|---|
| Lean FIRE Number | $720K | $645K 👑 |
| FIRE Number | $1.26M | $1.14M 👑 |
| Fat FIRE Number | $2.9M | $2.5M 👑 |
| Monthly Cost (FIRE) | $4,200/mo | $3,800/mo 👑 |
| Safety | Exercise caution 👑 | Exercise caution |
| Healthcare | Good 👑 | Adequate |
| Climate | Warm | Tropical |
| English | Common | Limited |
| Visa | Easy 👑 | Easy |
Which City Is Right for Your FIRE Goals?
Choose Cartagena if: you want to minimize your FIRE Number. At $1.14M, it's $120K cheaper to reach comfortable FIRE here compared to Medellín.
Choose Medellín if: healthcare access is a priority — it has Good healthcare infrastructure.
Choose Medellín if: you want easier residency access — visa difficulty is rated "Easy" (both cities have similar visa requirements).