Side-by-side numbers for the things that matter most when picking where to retire: monthly cost, healthcare, climate, visa rules, safety, and the strength of the expat community.
| Metric | Medellin | Panama City |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost (single) | $1,400 | $2,000 |
| Monthly cost (couple) | $2,000 | $2,800 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $600 | $1,200 |
| Healthcare / month | $120 | $200 |
| Healthcare quality | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Safety | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Expat community | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Overall rating | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Climate | mountain | tropical |
| Avg temperature | 72°F | 81°F |
| Primary language | Spanish | Spanish |
| English proficiency | moderate | moderate |
| Visa min income | $2,500 | $1,000 |
The City of Eternal Spring offers perfect weather year-round, modern infrastructure, and one of the lowest visa income requirements in the Americas at just $750/month.
Retirement Visa (M Category): $2,500/mo income OR $7,000/mo for couple. 3-year renewable visa. Path to permanent residency after 5 years. Citizenship after 5 years.
Panama offers the famous Pensionado program with extensive discounts for retirees, US dollar currency, and Johns Hopkins-affiliated healthcare at a fraction of US costs.
Pensionado Visa: $1,000/mo pension income minimum. Permanent residency. Famous 50% discounts on healthcare, travel, dining. Path to citizenship in 5 years.
Cost is only half the story. Use the International Retirement Tax Estimator to see how Colombia and Panama would tax your retirement income.