Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2026: Bogotá, Cali and Medellín Make Latin America’s Top 10
Three Colombian cities made Latin America’s top ten in the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2026. Medellín came eighth, and Oxford says it is at an earlier stage of economic development than the leaders. Here’s why that’s the interesting part.
Three Colombian cities are in Latin America’s top ten in the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2026: Bogotá is fifth, Cali seventh and Medellín eighth. Buenos Aires leads the region (with a score of 66.9), followed by Santiago and Lima. Oxford’s note on Medellín is the line I’d underline as an investor: the city is at an earlier stage of its economic development than the cities at the top.
I’m Gio, the Medellín Consultant. I’ve lived and invested in Medellín for more than ten years, so here’s my read on what the ranking means, and what it doesn’t.
The Latin America ranking
| Rank in Latin America | City |
|---|---|
| 1 | Buenos Aires |
| 2 | Santiago |
| 3 | Lima |
| 5 | Bogotá |
| 7 | Cali |
| 8 | Medellín |
Source: Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2026, as reported by El Colombiano on 20 October 2026. Oxford Economics’ index scores the world’s largest cities across five areas: economics, human capital, quality of life, environment and governance.
Why “an earlier stage” is the interesting part
A city at the top of a ranking has, by definition, already priced in most of its success. A city that makes the top ten while still at an earlier stage of development has the opposite profile: the fundamentals are recognised, but the growth isn’t finished.
For Medellín that matches what I see on the ground: improving security (the city just had its safest month in 50 years; see Is Medellín Safe?), a market-friendly national government and steady demand from foreigners who want to live here. More room to grow, for property and for business.
What the ranking doesn’t tell you
A city index is a ceiling, not a deal. It won’t tell you whether a specific apartment is priced right, whether its building allows the rental you plan, or whether the money you bring in will be registered properly. Those are the things that decide your return:
- →The price per m² you pay, compared with actual sales, not listings. See Buying Property in Medellín.
- →The rental rules for that address and building. See the Airbnb zone check.
- →How your money arrives. See Bringing Money into Colombia.
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Buying Property in Medellín as a Foreigner (2026): Prices per m², Neighbourhoods and the Checks That Matter →
Foreigners can buy property in Colombia on the same terms as locals. What decides whether it’s a good deal is the price per m² you pay, the title, the rental rules and how your money arrives.
Written by
Gio, the Medellín Consultant
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