Bangkok vs Medellín
Cost of living and FIRE acceleration, side by side, for a typical US remote worker.
Weighing Bangkok against Medellín as your next base? Here's how they compare on the levers that actually move your retirement date — cost of living and FI acceleration, plus livability, visa and tax-residency risk flags.
| Metric | Bangkok | Medellín | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $1,300/mo | $1,300/mo | — |
| Years saved | 9.8 yrs | 9.8 yrs | — |
| Burn reduction | 35% | 35% | — |
| Tax risk | Low | Low | — |
| Visa | Easy | Easy | — |
| Safety | 3 | 3 | — |
| Internet | 60 Mbps | 35 Mbps | Bangkok |
The verdict
- Both cost about the same per month ($1,300/mo).
- Both accelerate FI by a similar amount on this profile.
Run your own numbers
The figures above use one fixed reference profile. Enter your income, spending and savings to see your personal FI Score and the cities that get you there fastest.