Is Cape Town or Cartagena cheaper to live in?

Cartagena is 11% cheaper than Cape Town. The average monthly cost in Cartagena is $1,410, while Cape Town costs $1,590 per month.

Which city is better for digital nomads: Cape Town or Cartagena?

For digital nomads, Cape Town offers faster internet at 120 Mbps. Cartagena is more budget-friendly with lower living costs. Both cities have their strengths - Cape Town has a NomadIQ score of 6.8/10 while Cartagena scores 6.8/10.

What is the rent difference between Cape Town and Cartagena?

A 1-bedroom apartment costs $993/month in Cape Town and $932/month in Cartagena. Cartagena has 6% lower rent.

Is Cape Town or Cartagena safer?

Cartagena has a higher safety score of 4.8/10. Cape Town scores 2.7/10 for safety while Cartagena scores 4.8/10.

Should I move to Cape Town or Cartagena as an expat?

The choice depends on your priorities. Choose Cartagena if budget is important ($1,410/month). Choose Cartagena for better safety. Cape Town is better for remote work with 120 Mbps internet.

Back to Comparison Tool

Cape Town vs Cartagena

Cost of Living, Safety & Expat Guide (2026)

Cape Town

South Africa

$1,590/mo6.8/10

Cartagena

Colombia

$1,410/mo6.8/10

Cape Town

South Africa

$1,590/moNomadIQ 6.8/10

Cartagena

Colombia

$1,410/moNomadIQ 6.8/10

Detailed Comparison

Factor

Cape Town

Cartagena

Winner

Total Monthly Cost

$1,590

$1,410

Cartagena

Rent (1BR)

$993

$932

Cartagena

Groceries

$350

$300

Cartagena

Transport

$90

$50

Cartagena

Healthcare

$120

$100

Cartagena

Safety Score

2.7/10

4.8/10

Cartagena

Internet Speed

120 Mbps

85 Mbps

Cape Town

NomadIQ Score

6.8/10

Tie

Overall Winner: Cartagena

Based on our comparison, Cartagena wins 6 out of 8 categories.Cape Town wins 1 categories.

Which city is better for digital nomads?

For digital nomads choosing between Cape Town and Cartagena, the answer depends on your priorities. Here's our analysis:

Best for Budget

Cartagena

$1,410/mo

Best Internet

Cape Town

120 Mbps

Best NomadIQ Score

Cartagena

6.8/10

Our Recommendation: Cartagena is the clear winner for digital nomads, offering both affordability and excellent nomad infrastructure.

Digital Nomad Analysis: Cape Town vs Cartagena

When comparing Cape Town and Cartagena for digital nomads, several factors come into play.

Cost of Living: Cartagena is the more budget-friendly option at $1,410/month versus Cape Town's $1,590/month.

Internet & Remote Work: Cape Town leads with 120 Mbps average internet speed, ideal for video calls and large file transfers. Cartagena offers 85 Mbps.

Safety: With a safety score of 4.8/10, Cartagena offers better security than Cape Town (2.7/10).

Overall: Both cities score similarly on our NomadIQ scale at 6.8/10.

Cost of Living Comparison

Cartagena is 11% cheaper than Cape Town.

• Cape Town rent: $993/mo
• Cartagena rent: $932/mo
• Difference: $61/mo

Safety Comparison

Cartagena has a higher safety score (4.8/10) compared to Cape Town (2.7/10).

2.7/10

Cape Town

4.8/10

Cartagena

Digital Nomad Friendliness

For remote workers, internet speed is crucial. Cape Town offers faster internet at 120 Mbps vs 85 Mbps.

120 Mbps

Cape Town

85 Mbps

Cartagena

Which City Is Better for Expats?

Based on our analysis, Cartagena edges out as the better choice for expats, winning 6 of 8 comparison factors.

Cape Town: Best for those prioritizing amenities

Cartagena: Best for budget-conscious expats

Cape Town vs Cartagena

Cape Town

Cartagena

Cape Town

Cartagena

Detailed Comparison

Overall Winner: Cartagena

Which city is better for digital nomads?

Digital Nomad Analysis: Cape Town vs Cartagena

Cost of Living Comparison

Safety Comparison

Digital Nomad Friendliness

Which City Is Better for Expats?

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Frequently Asked Questions: Cape Town vs Cartagena