Colombia Retirement Calculator
Compare the cost of retiring in Colombia vs. the United States. See how much further your retirement savings, Social Security, and pension income go in popular Colombian cities like Medell\u00edn, Bogot\u00e1, and Cartagena.
Retirement Income (USD)
Current US Monthly Expenses
Colombia Living Costs (Your US Budget)
Each city has different cost-of-living levels. Medellín and Cali are the most affordable; Cartagena is the most expensive.
Retirement Timeline
Colombia Retirement Feasibility Score
Colombia is a strong fit for your retirement. Your income and savings offer a comfortable lifestyle with significant cost savings over the US.
Monthly Cost (Colombia)
$1,151
Monthly Savings vs US
$3,349
Monthly Cost in Colombia
$1,151
in Medellín (USD)
Monthly Savings vs US
$3,349
lower expenses each month
Annual Savings
$40,190
saved per year vs US
Extra Years Funded
0 years
additional retirement funded
Portfolio Longevity: US vs. Colombia
How your retirement savings last over time in each country
Monthly Expense Breakdown in Colombia
Where your money goes each month in Medellín
Total
$1,151
Housing
39%$450/yr
Healthcare
9%$100/yr
Food & Groceries
18%$210/yr
Transportation
6%$70/yr
Entertainment
10%$120/yr
Domestic Help
3%$30/yr
Utilities
8%$88/yr
Travel to US
7%$83/yr
Cost Comparison: US vs. Colombia
Side-by-side monthly costs by category
Year-by-Year Projection
Detailed comparison of costs and portfolio balance over time
| Year | Colombia (USD) | US Costs | Annual Savings | Cumulative | Portfolio (Colombia) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $13,810 | $54,000 | $40,190 | $40,190 | $530,000 |
| 6 | $18,302 | $62,601 | $44,299 | $253,472 | $709,260 |
| 11 | $24,285 | $72,571 | $48,287 | $487,026 | $949,149 |
| 16 | $32,258 | $84,130 | $51,872 | $739,450 | $1,270,176 |
| 21 | $42,890 | $97,530 | $54,640 | $1,007,547 | $1,699,782 |
| 25 | $53,900 | $109,771 | $55,871 | $1,229,527 | $2,145,935 |
Personalized Insights
Actionable recommendations based on your numbers
You meet Colombia's retirement visa income requirement
Colombia's Retirement Visa (Tipo M) requires proof of monthly income of at least 3x the Colombian minimum wage (~$750 USD/month). Your total monthly income of $4,300 comfortably exceeds this threshold. The visa is renewable annually and provides a path to permanent residency after 5 years.
Colombia offers high-quality, affordable healthcare
Colombia's healthcare system ranks among the best in Latin America (WHO ranked it 22nd globally). The EPS public system costs $30-60/month per person. Prepaid medicina plans from providers like Colsanitas or SuraAmericana cost $80-200/month and provide private hospital access, specialist visits, and prescription coverage — a fraction of US costs.
You could save 74% on monthly expenses in Medellín
Living in Medellín would reduce your monthly expenses from $4,500 to approximately $1,151, saving you $3,349 per month or $40,190 per year. Over 25 years, this dramatically extends your portfolio life.
Currency exchange fluctuations can impact your budget
The USD/COP exchange rate can swing 10-20% in a year. While a strong dollar benefits US retirees in Colombia, a weakening dollar increases your local costs. Consider keeping 6-12 months of expenses in COP to hedge against unfavorable swings, and use services like Wise or Remitly for low-fee transfers.
Understand US-Colombia tax obligations
As a US citizen or permanent resident, you must file US taxes regardless of where you live. Colombia taxes residents on worldwide income after 183 days in-country. However, the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, Foreign Tax Credit, and the US-Colombia tax treaty help prevent double taxation. Social Security is generally only taxed by the US. Consult an expat tax specialist.
Safety varies significantly by neighborhood and city
Colombia has made enormous progress in safety over the past two decades. Cities like Medellín have expat-friendly neighborhoods (El Poblado, Laureles, Envigado) with safety levels comparable to major US cities. However, always research specific neighborhoods, use common-sense precautions, and connect with expat communities for local advice.
Thriving expat communities in major Colombian cities
Medellín has a large and active community of US retirees and expats. Facebook groups, meetups, and organizations like InterNations make it easy to connect. Many Colombians in urban areas speak some English, though learning basic Spanish greatly enhances daily life and helps you negotiate better prices.
Domestic help and services are remarkably affordable
Full-time live-in domestic help (cooking, cleaning, errands) costs $250-400/month in Colombia. Part-time help is $80-150/month. Private drivers, personal trainers, and in-home beauty services are all available at a fraction of US prices, enabling a higher quality of life on a modest budget.