πA single person spends $1,028 per month in Medellin vs $1,157 in Oistins, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,586 per month in Medellin vs $1,743 in Oistins, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,144 per month in Medellin vs $2,329 in Oistins, rent included.
πMedellin is about 11% cheaper than Oistins, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Medellin and Oistins are more affordable than the global median β Medellin23% lower, Oistins13% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Oistins
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.00COPΒ 20.6K
$19.70BBDΒ 39.40
-69.54%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.84COPΒ 112.5K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.42COPΒ 25.4K
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.65COPΒ 5,659
$6.10BBDΒ 12.21
-72.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07COPΒ 3,663
$1.26BBDΒ 2.53
-15.08%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76COPΒ 2,607
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COPΒ 5,908
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20COPΒ 11.0K
-
-
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Oistins
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,597
$2.97BBDΒ 5.93
-64.65%
White Bread(500g)
$1.31COPΒ 4,479
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.34COPΒ 4,591
-
-
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,521
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.41COPΒ 15.1K
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.69COPΒ 19.5K
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.52COPΒ 29.2K
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,023
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.11COPΒ 3,804
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,210
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,680
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 3,950
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.18COPΒ 4,043
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.84COPΒ 2,885
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86COPΒ 2,931
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.26COPΒ 7,753
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$11.60COPΒ 39.8K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,109
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COPΒ 8,484
-
-
π Getting Around
Medellin
Oistins
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,721
$1.70BBDΒ 3.40
-53.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.83COPΒ 139.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,023
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.92COPΒ 6,568
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.77COPΒ 26.6K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,464
$1.93BBDΒ 3.86
-47.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.7KCOPΒ 60.5M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 90.7M
-
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Oistins
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.1COPΒ 277.9K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.43COPΒ 32.3K
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.86COPΒ 81.8K
$47.62BBDΒ 95.2
-49.90%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Oistins
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.99COPΒ 89.1K
$50.5BBDΒ 101
-48.58%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.71COPΒ 64.1K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.09COPΒ 14.0K
-
-
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Oistins
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$315COPΒ 1.1M
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,022COPΒ 20.6M
-
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Oistins
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.7COPΒ 204.6K
$50.8BBDΒ 102
17.45%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.97COPΒ 109.6K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101COPΒ 346.9K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$105COPΒ 360.3K
-
-
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Oistins
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$485COPΒ 1.7M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$365COPΒ 1.3M
$737BBDΒ 1,474
-50.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$827COPΒ 2.8M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$730COPΒ 2.5M
$1,496BBDΒ 2,993
-51.20%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,992COPΒ 10.3M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,314COPΒ 4.5M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Oistins
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$551COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 15, 2026
Last update for Oistins: June 15, 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 β Oistins is pricier by about 12%, 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 $1,542 per month in Medellin and $1,735 in Oistins. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin vs Oistins?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,028 in Medellin and $1,157 in Oistins. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Oistins?
Interestingly, groceries are about 540% cheaper in Oistins β 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 Medellin or Oistins?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,028, 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 β 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.