🙂A single person spends $1,003 per month in Medellin vs $1,157 in Oistins, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,573 per month in Medellin vs $1,708 in Oistins, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,143 per month in Medellin vs $2,259 in Oistins, rent included.
🙂Medellin is about 13% cheaper than Oistins, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Medellin and Oistins are more affordable than the global median – Medellin25% lower, Oistins13% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Oistins
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.91COP 18.6K
$19.92BBD 39.84
-70.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.96COP 103.8K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.43COP 23.4K
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.65COP 5,207
$6.03BBD 12.05
-72.64%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,468
$1.23BBD 2.46
-10.57%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COP 2,458
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,412
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COP 10.0K
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Oistins
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10COP 3,474
$2.96BBD 5.93
-62.84%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COP 3,962
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,349
-
-
Eggs
$2.18COP 6,858
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.49COP 14.1K
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.79COP 18.2K
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COP 28.2K
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.32COP 7,308
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COP 3,352
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COP 4,774
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COP 4,270
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,552
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,689
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90COP 2,838
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COP 2,823
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.23COP 7,034
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$12.12COP 38.2K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 3,743
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COP 7,815
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Oistins
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.85COP 2,687
$1.77BBD 3.55
-51.98%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.62COP 131.0K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COP 4,459
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.95COP 6,141
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.89COP 24.8K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,118
$1.92BBD 3.85
-48.44%
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
Medellin
Oistins
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.0COP 261.4K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.70COP 30.5K
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.52COP 74.1K
$48.40BBD 96.8
-51.40%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Oistins
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.26COP 79.5K
$49.04BBD 98.1
-48.49%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.10COP 60.1K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.95COP 12.4K
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Oistins
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
Medellin
Oistins
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0COP 188.9K
$49.20BBD 98.4
21.95%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 100.2K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102COP 320.1K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 338.3K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Oistins
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$475COP 1.5M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$374COP 1.2M
$740BBD 1,481
-49.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$849COP 2.7M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$719COP 2.3M
$1,504BBD 3,009
-52.18%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,265COP 10.3M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,441COP 4.5M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Oistins
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$624COP 2.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Last update for Oistins: July 27, 2026
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 Oistins: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oistins cheaper than Medellin?
Yes – Oistins is pricier by about 15%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,504 per month in Medellin and $1,735 in Oistins. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin and in Oistins?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,003 in Medellin and $1,157 in Oistins. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and in Oistins?
Interestingly, groceries are about 552% cheaper in Oistins – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Oistins?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,003, than in Oistins at $1,157. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Oistins it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Oistins more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Medellin – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Oistins makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.