😐A single person spends $1,156 per month in Oistins vs $1,034 in Medellin, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,719 per month in Oistins vs $1,577 in Medellin, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,281 per month in Oistins vs $2,120 in Medellin, rent included.
😐Oistins costs about 12% more than Medellin, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Oistins and Medellin are more affordable than the global median – Oistins14% lower, Medellin23% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Oistins
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.68BBD 39.36
$5.92COP 21.4K
232.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$32.75COP 118.2K
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$7.20COP 26.0K
-
Cappuccino
$5.84BBD 11.67
$1.70COP 6,140
243.53%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.28BBD 2.57
$1.10COP 3,966
16.36%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.72COP 2,605
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.67COP 6,022
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.10COP 11.2K
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Oistins
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.94BBD 5.87
$1.06COP 3,809
177.36%
White Bread(500g)
-
$1.25COP 4,497
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$1.39COP 5,022
-
Eggs
-
$2.26COP 8,168
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$4.33COP 15.6K
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$5.84COP 21.1K
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$8.83COP 31.9K
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$2.24COP 8,099
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$1.08COP 3,882
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$1.53COP 5,522
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$1.37COP 4,950
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$1.13COP 4,078
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$1.12COP 4,036
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$0.85COP 3,057
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.91COP 3,281
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$2.33COP 8,414
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$11.13COP 40.2K
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.19COP 4,309
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.37COP 8,553
-
🚌 Getting Around
Oistins
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.74BBD 3.48
$0.79COP 2,838
120.25%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$41.13COP 148.5K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$1.44COP 5,184
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.91COP 6,901
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$8.02COP 28.9K
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.94BBD 3.88
$0.94COP 3,385
106.38%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$17.9KCOP 64.7M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$26.8KCOP 96.7M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Oistins
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$84.0COP 303.1K
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$9.60COP 34.7K
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$46.98BBD 94.0
$24.16COP 87.2K
94.45%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Oistins
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$50.9BBD 102
$25.88COP 93.4K
96.48%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$19.04COP 68.7K
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$3.92COP 14.1K
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Oistins
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$306COP 1.1M
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$5,919COP 21.4M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Oistins
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.0BBD 102
$57.9COP 209.1K
-12.02%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$31.82COP 114.9K
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$99.9COP 360.6K
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$107COP 386.8K
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Oistins
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$487COP 1.8M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$752BBD 1,504
$368COP 1.3M
104.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$826COP 3.0M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,497BBD 2,993
$716COP 2.6M
109.01%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,925COP 10.6M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,407COP 5.1M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Oistins
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$546COP 2.0M
-
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 Oistins: April 25, 2026
Last update for Medellin: April 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
Oistins vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Oistins?
Yes – 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 $1,735 per month in Oistins and $1,550 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
What are total monthly expenses in Oistins vs Medellin?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,156 in Oistins and $1,034 in Medellin. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do food prices compare in Oistins and Medellin?
Interestingly, groceries are about 547% 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 Oistins or Medellin?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,034, than in Oistins at $1,156. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Oistins it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Oistins or Medellin 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.