Barranquilla vs Cartagena
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Barranquilla leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Cartagena where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Cartagena's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Barranquilla | Cartagena |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 58 | 60 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 44 | 45 |
| Climate | 77 | 80 |
| Safety | 57 | 57 |
| Summer °C | 28.6 | 28.1 |
| Winter °C | 27.2 | 27.0 |
| Top disaster risk | storms (hurricane/cyclone) | storms (hurricane/cyclone) |
Barranquilla vs Cartagena: the short answer
Cartagena comes out ahead on overall livability (60/100), only marginally above Barranquilla (58/100). The two cities diverge most on climate. On affordability Cartagena is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Barranquilla 44 vs Cartagena 45, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Barranquilla runs warmer in summer (about 28.6°C peak vs 28.1°C in Cartagena), while winter lows sit near 27.2°C in Barranquilla and 27.0°C in Cartagena. On natural-disaster exposure Cartagena is the safer choice (safety 57/100); the dominant modelled hazard is storms (hurricane/cyclone) for Barranquilla and storms (hurricane/cyclone) for Cartagena.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Cartagena — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Barranquilla — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Cartagena — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Cartagena — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Barranquilla or Cartagena better to live in?
Cartagena scores higher overall — 60 vs 58 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Barranquilla or Cartagena?
Cartagena has the lower cost of living (cost index 45 vs 44; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Barranquilla or Cartagena?
Barranquilla — summer highs reach about 28.6°C versus 28.1°C in Cartagena.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Barranquilla or Cartagena?
Cartagena (disaster-safety 57/100). Main hazard: storms (hurricane/cyclone) in Barranquilla, storms (hurricane/cyclone) in Cartagena.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Barranquilla?
storms (hurricane/cyclone) is the dominant modelled hazard for Barranquilla on our risk index.
How is the Barranquilla vs Cartagena comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.