πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,034 in Medellin versus $2,403 in Castle Rock, CO.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,577 in Medellin versus $3,523 in Castle Rock, CO.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,120 in Medellin versus $4,644 in Castle Rock, CO.
πLiving in Medellin costs roughly 57% less than in Castle Rock, CO, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 23% below, Castle Rock, CO is 79% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Castle Rock, CO
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.5K
$14.98$14.98
-60.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COPΒ 119.1K
$73.3$73.3
-55.31%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COPΒ 26.2K
$7.61$7.61
-5.39%
Cappuccino
$1.70COPΒ 6,186
$4.71$4.71
-63.91%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,996
$2.04$2.04
-46.08%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COPΒ 2,625
$1.85$1.85
-61.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COPΒ 6,067
$4.90$4.90
-65.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COPΒ 11.3K
$4.89$4.89
-36.61%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Castle Rock, CO
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,837
$1.01$1.01
4.95%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COPΒ 4,531
$3.12$3.12
-59.94%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COPΒ 5,060
$3.23$3.23
-56.97%
Eggs
$2.26COPΒ 8,229
$4.17$4.17
-45.80%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COPΒ 15.8K
$11.16$11.16
-61.20%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COPΒ 21.2K
$8.35$8.35
-30.06%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COPΒ 32.1K
$16.85$16.85
-47.60%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COPΒ 8,159
$3.90$3.90
-42.56%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COPΒ 3,911
$1.45$1.45
-25.52%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COPΒ 5,563
$3.73$3.73
-58.98%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,987
$4.93$4.93
-72.21%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COPΒ 4,109
$2.29$2.29
-50.66%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COPΒ 4,067
$1.96$1.96
-42.86%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COPΒ 3,080
$1.26$1.26
-32.54%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COPΒ 3,305
$1.94$1.94
-53.09%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COPΒ 8,477
$12.98$12.98
-82.05%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COPΒ 40.5K
$11.81$11.81
-5.76%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COPΒ 4,342
$2.19$2.19
-45.66%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COPΒ 8,617
$2.80$2.80
-15.36%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Castle Rock, CO
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,859
$2.04$2.04
-61.27%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COPΒ 149.6K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,223
$2.45$2.45
-41.22%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COPΒ 6,952
$1.36$1.36
40.44%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COPΒ 29.2K
$25.19$25.19
-68.16%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COPΒ 3,410
$0.82$0.82
14.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOPΒ 65.2M
$28.1K$28.1K
-36.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOPΒ 97.4M
$26.1K$26.1K
2.79%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Castle Rock, CO
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COPΒ 305.4K
$164$164
-48.84%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COPΒ 34.9K
$39.44$39.44
-75.66%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COPΒ 87.9K
$44.90$44.90
-46.19%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Castle Rock, CO
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COPΒ 94.1K
$59.4$59.4
-56.40%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COPΒ 69.3K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COPΒ 14.2K
$8.48$8.48
-53.77%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Castle Rock, CO
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COPΒ 1.1M
$1,511$1,511
-79.73%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COPΒ 21.5M
$18.3K$18.3K
-67.68%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Castle Rock, CO
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COPΒ 210.6K
$47.68$47.68
21.46%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COPΒ 115.7K
$49.03$49.03
-35.10%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COPΒ 363.3K
$66.8$66.8
49.66%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COPΒ 389.7K
$108$108
-0.33%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Castle Rock, CO
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COPΒ 1.8M
$1,727$1,727
-71.82%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COPΒ 1.3M
$1,352$1,352
-72.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COPΒ 3.0M
$2,786$2,786
-70.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COPΒ 2.6M
$2,214$2,214
-67.66%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COPΒ 10.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COPΒ 5.1M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Castle Rock, CO
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COPΒ 2.0M
$5,995$5,995
-90.90%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.45
108.22%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026
Last update for Castle Rock, CO: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $487 in Medellin and $1,727 in Castle Rock, CO. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Castle Rock, CO pays 999% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $73.0 in Castle Rock, CO for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $344 per month, with Medellin cheaper across the board.
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
Medellin vs Castle Rock, CO: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and Castle Rock, CO?
Medellin and Castle Rock, CO differ by about 133% in total monthly costs ($1,034 vs $2,403 including rent). Medellin is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Castle Rock, CO earns 999% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Medellin and Castle Rock, CO?
Rent for a central apartment: $487 in Medellin versus $1,727 in Castle Rock, CO. 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 81% higher in Castle Rock, CO. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Castle Rock, CO?
All in, you'll spend $1,034 per month in Medellin versus $2,403 in Castle Rock, CO β a 133% 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 $1,034 in Medellin versus $2,403 in Castle Rock, CO, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Castle Rock, CO. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Castle Rock, CO?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Medellin or Castle Rock, CO safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Castle Rock, CO 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: Medellin or Castle Rock, CO?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet β expenses run 133% less than in Castle Rock, CO. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.