All Comparisons
Mexico City vs Medellín FIRE Retirement Cost Comparison
Which city is better for FIRE retirement? A data-driven comparison of portfolio requirements, monthly costs, and lifestyle factors.
🇲🇽
Mexico City
Mexico
Lean FIRE $870K
FIRE Number $1.5M
Fat FIRE $3.6M
Monthly Cost $5,000/mo
Warm Good Common Exercise caution Easy
🇨🇴
Medellín
Colombia
Lean FIRE $720K
FIRE Number $1.26M
Fat FIRE $2.9M
Monthly Cost $4,200/mo
Warm Good Common Exercise caution Easy
More affordable: Medellín (saves $240K in required portfolio)
Better healthcare: Mexico City (Good)
Easier visa: Mexico City (Easy)
Better safety: Mexico City (Exercise caution)
Detailed Comparison
| Category | 🇲🇽 Mexico City | 🇨🇴 Medellín |
|---|---|---|
| Lean FIRE Number | $870K | $720K 👑 |
| FIRE Number | $1.5M | $1.26M 👑 |
| Fat FIRE Number | $3.6M | $2.9M 👑 |
| Monthly Cost (FIRE) | $5,000/mo | $4,200/mo 👑 |
| Safety | Exercise caution 👑 | Exercise caution |
| Healthcare | Good 👑 | Good |
| Climate | Warm | Warm |
| English | Common | Common |
| Visa | Easy 👑 | Easy |
Which City Is Right for Your FIRE Goals?
Choose Medellín if: you want to minimize your FIRE Number. At $1.26M, it's $240K cheaper to reach comfortable FIRE here compared to Mexico City.
Choose Mexico City if: healthcare access is a priority — it has Good healthcare infrastructure (both cities are comparable).
Choose Mexico City if: you want easier residency access — visa difficulty is rated "Easy" (both cities have similar visa requirements).