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Bogota
#75 of 124
South America

Bogota

Colombia

Salary & Cost of Living

View purchasing power ranking

How do salaries and expenses in Bogota compare to San Francisco?

Purchasing Power Comparison

An engineer in Bogota is 51% worse off vs in San Francisco

This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Bogota compared to San Francisco, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.

Median Salary
$32,730
-$240K (-88%) vs San Francisco
Based on 233 data points from levels.fyi
Net Salary
$22,747
-$150K (-87%) vs San Francisco
Tax Rate: 31%

Community Insights

New

Bogota is a polarizing metropolis that functions as a high-reward, high-friction base for software engineers. While it lacks the "tropical paradise" appeal of Medellin, it compensates with a world-class urban lifestyle, superior internet infrastructure, and a cost of living that is exceptionally low for the quality of life offered in premium districts. Financially, it is a powerhouse for remote earners, with purchasing power ranking reasonably well despite lower local salaries.

However, the trade-offs are significant. The safety situation requires constant street smarts, and the traffic is among the worst in the world, capable of draining hours from your day if you aren't strategic about your location. The weather—perpetually cool and often grey—is a dealbreaker for many, but a relief for those who prefer sweater weather over sweat.

Resident Sentiment

Respectful but Guarded: Long-term expat residents often develop a deep appreciation for the city's sophistication and grit, frequently preferring it to the "gringo trail" vibe of Medellin. They describe it as a city that "makes you work for it" but rewards you with rich cultural depth.

Frustration with Logistics: Sentiment is universally negative regarding transportation; even those who love the city complain bitterly about the inability to move around during rush hour. Many transplants advise living in a "bubble" (e.g., Zona T, Parque 93) where you can walk to everything, effectively opting out of the city's chaotic transit system.

Living Environment

Weather•Safety•Pollution•Events

A quick look at climate, safety, pollution, and tech community compared to San Francisco.

Rankings

Cost of Living

Top 9%

#11

of 124 cities

24/100

Current value (lower is better)

Comfortable Weather

Top 22%

#27

of 124 cities

70/100 weather score

Current value

Home Affordability

Middle of the pack

#43

of 124 cities

≈6 yrs to buy 80m²

Current value

Housing Affordability

View affordability ranking

How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Bogota compared to San Francisco?

Avg. Property Price
$1,719 / m²
83% cheaper than San Francisco
View detailed property prices on Numbeo

Salary Converter

Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Bogota to maintain the same standard of living.

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Cost of Living
73% cheaper than San Francisco
View detailed cost breakdown on Numbeo

Top Paying Companies in Bogota

Microsoft logo
Microsoft
EPAM Systems logo
EPAM Systems
Perficient logo
Perficient

The Good

  • Cosmopolitan Lifestyle: Offers a "real city" vibe with a massive array of cultural activities, museums (Gold Museum), concerts, and a sophisticated culinary scene that rivals global capitals.
  • Remote Work Infrastructure: Superior internet speeds and a dense network of coworking spaces (e.g., WeWork, local hubs) compared to other Colombian cities, making it reliable for high-bandwidth tech work.
  • Cost of Living: Ranked #12 of 124 cities for affordability, allowing software engineers with foreign currency to afford luxury apartments in upscale neighborhoods like Chicó or Usaquén for a fraction of US/EU prices.
  • Tech & Startup Hub: Considered the business capital of Colombia, offering better professional networking opportunities and a more serious startup scene than tourist-heavy Medellin.
  • Nature Access: Surrounded by mountains with easy access to hiking trails and weekend nature escapes (e.g., Monserrate, Chingaza), despite being a concrete jungle.
  • Cooler Weather: Ideal for those who dislike tropical heat; the "eternal autumn" climate means no sweating while working and no need for AC.

The Bad

  • Horrendous Traffic: Universally cited as the worst aspect; commutes can take hours due to unpredictable gridlock, making living close to work or coworking spaces essential.
  • Safety Concerns: Ranked #116 of 124 cities for safety; residents must be constantly vigilant ("no dar papaya"), avoiding phone usage in public and steering clear of certain zones (especially the south and parts of Centro at night).
  • Gloomy Weather: The constant cloud cover, rain (over 200 days/year), and lack of sunshine (#123 of 124 cities) can lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) for those used to sunny climates.
  • Pollution: Air quality is poor (Rank #104) due to the high density of diesel buses and trucks, which can be bothersome for cyclists or those with respiratory issues.
  • Urban Chaos: The city can feel overwhelming, loud, and gritty, lacking the relaxed, vacation-like atmosphere found in coastal Colombian cities.
  • Altitude Sickness: At 2,640 meters (8,660 ft), new arrivals often experience fatigue, headaches, and shortness of breath for the first few weeks.

The Verdict

You'll love it if...

The Urban Professional: If you thrive in chaotic, energetic mega-cities like New York or London but want to slash your burn rate, Bogota is for you. It suits career-focused nomads who prioritize reliable infrastructure and networking over beach parties.

The Heat-Averse: People who find tropical climates draining and prefer a brisk, jacket-wearing climate will love the "eternal autumn" vibe. It is also ideal for foodies and culture vultures who want access to top-tier restaurants and art scenes on a budget.

Skip it if...

The Sun Seeker: If your mental health depends on blue skies and warmth, Bogota’s low sunshine hours (ranked near the bottom globally) will likely make you miserable.

The Anxious Traveler: Those who are easily stressed by grit, visible inequality, or the constant need for safety awareness will find the city exhausting. Similarly, outdoor enthusiasts who need clean air and open spaces right outside their door might struggle with the pollution and concrete density.

Updated 11/29/2025

Weather7.0/10-20% vs San Francisco
Safety33-16%
Pollution70+42%
Events4-92%
7.0/10TechCities weather score vs 8.7/10 in San Francisco

0–10 composite (higher is better) combining temperature comfort, sunshine hours, rainy-day count, and humid days. See methodology for weighting and data sources.

Weather snapshot

Average High
18°C(same as San Francisco)
Average Low
9°C(vs 12°C in San Francisco)
Sunshine Hours
1,328h/yr-1734h/yr(-57%)
Hottest Month High
19°C(vs 22°C in San Francisco)
Coldest Month Low
7°C(vs 8°C in San Francisco)
Rainy Days
202/yr+153/yr(+315%)

Community & Quality

Bogota community pulse

Bogota has 4 Luma events listed.

92% fewer events than San Francisco.

Tax Rate

Middle of the pack

#55

of 124 cities

31%

Current value (lower is better)

Community Events

Middle of the pack

#61

of 124 cities

4 events on luma

Current value

Purchasing Power

Middle of the pack

#75

of 124 cities

Net Income

Bottom 17%

#104

of 124 cities

$22,747/yr

Current value

Pollution Score

Bottom 17%

#104

of 124 cities

69.9/100

Current value (lower is better)

Safety Index

Bottom 7%

#116

of 124 cities

33.2/100

Current value

SWE Affordability
6.0 years
1.4 years longer than San Francisco
Muggy Days
0/yr(same as San Francisco)
Cloud Cover
82%(vs 34% in San Francisco)