If you’ve been eyeing Mérida as your next digital nomad or expat destination, let’s talk numbers. Because while Mexico is often synonymous with “cheap and cheerful,” Mérida has leveled up. It’s now one of the most expensive cities in Mexico, and honestly, if you’re coming from Colombia, prepare for some sticker shock. Let’s break it all down.

Rent: Not Bad, But Not Dirt Cheap

We managed to snag a nice house in a good location for $620 per month on Airbnb, which was one of the best deals we found. Compare that to Colombia, where you can find plenty of decent rental options for $350-$550 without too much effort. Mérida is still affordable compared to, say, the U.S., but it’s definitely pricier than Colombia.

Getting Around: Ubers Add Up

Uber in Mérida is about twice the cost of Uber in Colombia. A 10-minute ride costs around $3-$4, while in Colombia, that same ride would be about $1-$2. Over the course of a month, we spent $70 on Ubers in Mérida, and we actually used Uber less than we did in Colombia, where we only spent about $30.

Food: Say Goodbye to the $5 Menu del Día

If you love eating out, Mérida might not be as budget-friendly as you’d hope. In Colombia, you can sit down to a full menu del día—soup, drink, and meal included—for $5. In Mérida? Double it. Expect to spend at least $10 per meal. Dining out cost us about $250 per month in both places, but we ate out much less in Mérida due to the higher prices.

Groceries: Walmart Is Not Your Wallet’s Friend

We primarily shopped at Walmart and spent $450 on groceries in Mérida. In Colombia? Just $150. Big difference. But part of that is also because in Colombia, eating out is so cheap that we didn’t cook at home nearly as much.

Gym Membership: Acceptable, But Colombia Wins Again

The gym in Mérida set us back $22 for the month, which isn’t bad at all. But again, Colombia comes in cheaper at $12 per month (though, to be fair, that was a longer-term rate). Either way, you won’t be breaking the bank to stay fit.

Total Cost of Living: Mérida vs. Colombia

At the end of the month, our total cost of living in Mérida was around $1,100. In Colombia? Just $850. And that $850 included spa days and private dance lessons. In Mérida, we were just trying to keep the grocery bill under control.

Final Thoughts: Mérida vs. Colombia for Digital Nomads

Mérida has its perks. It’s a very safe city, and we had a nice stay overall. But from a digital nomad perspective, it might not be the best fit. It seems much more like a retirement haven for Canadians and Americans rather than a hotspot for location-independent workers. We went to a few meetups, and it was mostly retirees swapping stories about their last snowbird migration.

Weather-wise? February was one of the “mild” months, but even then, Mérida was hot. I prefer the spring-like climate of Colombia, where I don’t feel like I’m melting every time I step outside.

Would I go back to Mérida? Sure, but not to live long-term. It’s a great place to experience for a short time, but for digital nomads looking for the best bang for their buck? Colombia still wins.