😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,154 in Crooked Island versus $1,003 in Medellin.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,489 in Crooked Island versus $1,573 in Medellin.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,823 in Crooked Island versus $2,143 in Medellin.
🌍Living in Crooked Island is roughly 115% more expensive than in Medellin, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Crooked Island is 62% above, Medellin is 25% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Crooked Island
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$50.3BSD 50.3
$5.91COP 18.6K
751.78%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$32.96COP 103.8K
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.12BSD 13.12
$7.43COP 23.4K
76.58%
Cappuccino
$4.02BSD 4.02
$1.65COP 5,207
143.64%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.11BSD 4.11
$1.10COP 3,468
273.64%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.04BSD 2.04
$0.78COP 2,458
161.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.11BSD 5.11
$1.72COP 5,412
197.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.08BSD 5.08
$3.18COP 10.0K
59.75%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Crooked Island
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$7.92BSD 7.92
$1.10COP 3,474
620.00%
White Bread(500g)
$5.92BSD 5.92
$1.26COP 3,962
369.84%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.42BSD 3.42
$1.38COP 4,349
147.83%
Eggs
$11.52BSD 11.52
$2.18COP 6,858
428.44%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.24BSD 13.24
$4.49COP 14.1K
194.88%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$5.79COP 18.2K
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.14BSD 8.14
$8.97COP 28.2K
-9.25%
Apples(1kg)
$6.48BSD 6.48
$2.32COP 7,308
179.31%
Banana(1kg)
-
$1.06COP 3,352
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.27BSD 1.27
$1.52COP 4,774
-16.45%
Tomato(1kg)
$12.24BSD 12.24
$1.36COP 4,270
800.00%
Potato(1kg)
$2.24BSD 2.24
$1.13COP 3,552
98.23%
Onion(1kg)
$2.94BSD 2.94
$1.17COP 3,689
151.28%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.99BSD 0.99
$0.90COP 2,838
10.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.95BSD 1.95
$0.90COP 2,823
116.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$2.23COP 7,034
-
Wine(Bottle)
$30.15BSD 30.15
$12.12COP 38.2K
148.76%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.89BSD 4.89
$1.19COP 3,743
310.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.14BSD 5.14
$2.48COP 7,815
107.26%
🚌 Getting Around
Crooked Island
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.85COP 2,687
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$41.62COP 131.0K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$1.42COP 4,459
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.02BSD 2.02
$1.95COP 6,141
3.59%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$7.89COP 24.8K
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$0.99COP 3,118
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$17.6KCOP 55.4M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$26.8KCOP 84.4M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Crooked Island
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$220BSD 220
$83.0COP 261.4K
164.49%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$59.9BSD 59.9
$9.70COP 30.5K
517.63%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$70.6BSD 70.6
$23.52COP 74.1K
200.09%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Crooked Island
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$25.26COP 79.5K
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$19.10COP 60.1K
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$3.95COP 12.4K
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Crooked Island
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$316COP 994.2K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$5,975COP 18.8M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Crooked Island
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$81.1BSD 81.1
$60.0COP 188.9K
35.08%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.8BSD 50.8
$31.82COP 100.2K
59.52%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$250BSD 250
$102COP 320.1K
146.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$99.4BSD 99.4
$107COP 338.3K
-7.46%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Crooked Island
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$548BSD 548
$475COP 1.5M
15.44%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$557BSD 557
$374COP 1.2M
49.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,623BSD 1,623
$849COP 2.7M
91.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,626BSD 1,626
$719COP 2.3M
125.99%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,265COP 10.3M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,441COP 4.5M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Crooked Island
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,109BSD 1,109
$624COP 2.0M
77.53%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
13.43
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Crooked Island: July 27, 2026
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $548 in Crooked Island and $475 in Medellin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Crooked Island pays 78% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Crooked Island vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Crooked Island and in Medellin?
Crooked Island and Medellin differ by about 115% in total monthly costs ($2,154 vs $1,003 including rent). Medellin is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Crooked Island or Medellin?
Average pay runs 78% higher in Crooked Island, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Crooked Island and in Medellin?
Rent for a central apartment: $548 in Crooked Island versus $475 in Medellin. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 157% higher in Crooked Island. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Crooked Island or Medellin?
All in, you'll spend $2,154 per month in Crooked Island versus $1,003 in Medellin – a 115% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,003 in Medellin versus $2,154 in Crooked Island, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Crooked Island. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Crooked Island and Medellin?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Crooked Island or Medellin safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Crooked Island and Medellin are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Crooked Island or Medellin?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 115% less than in Crooked Island. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Crooked Island vs other spots: cost of living compared