😐A single person spends $2,094 per month in Aurora, IL vs $1,031 in Medellin, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,430 per month in Aurora, IL vs $1,599 in Medellin, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,767 per month in Aurora, IL vs $2,167 in Medellin, rent included.
😐Aurora, IL costs about 103% more than Medellin, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Aurora, IL sits 57% above the global median, while Medellin is 23% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Aurora, IL
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.95$14.95
$6.16COP 20.1K
142.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$63.0$63.0
$32.60COP 106.1K
93.28%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.95$10.95
$7.34COP 23.9K
49.18%
Cappuccino
$5.18$5.18
$1.72COP 5,600
201.16%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.76$2.76
$1.05COP 3,420
162.86%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25$2.25
$0.77COP 2,515
192.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.05$5.05
$1.69COP 5,488
198.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.14$7.14
$3.17COP 10.3K
125.24%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Aurora, IL
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.84$0.84
$1.05COP 3,423
-20.00%
White Bread(500g)
$3.57$3.57
$1.30COP 4,236
174.62%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.85$4.85
$1.40COP 4,544
246.43%
Eggs
$3.97$3.97
$2.16COP 7,047
83.80%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.31$7.31
$4.39COP 14.3K
66.51%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.85$12.85
$5.88COP 19.1K
118.54%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.97$13.97
$8.64COP 28.1K
61.69%
Apples(1kg)
$4.49$4.49
$2.28COP 7,426
96.93%
Banana(1kg)
$1.51$1.51
$1.11COP 3,604
36.04%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.90$3.90
$1.53COP 4,983
154.90%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.15$3.15
$1.35COP 4,410
133.33%
Potato(1kg)
$1.83$1.83
$1.13COP 3,674
61.95%
Onion(1kg)
$2.74$2.74
$1.13COP 3,692
142.48%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.85$1.85
$0.85COP 2,753
117.65%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.63$1.63
$0.91COP 2,975
79.12%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.64$8.64
$2.34COP 7,630
269.23%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.90$13.90
$12.37COP 40.3K
12.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.28$2.28
$1.20COP 3,909
90.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29$2.29
$2.49COP 8,104
-8.03%
🚌 Getting Around
Aurora, IL
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.31$2.31
$0.84COP 2,728
175.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$98.7$98.7
$40.57COP 132.1K
143.21%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.40$4.40
$1.42COP 4,623
209.86%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.75$1.75
$1.92COP 6,235
-8.85%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$41.65$41.65
$7.66COP 24.9K
443.73%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.98$0.98
$0.99COP 3,223
-1.01%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.4K$24.4K
$18.0KCOP 58.7M
35.37%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.8K$25.8K
$26.6KCOP 86.7M
-3.06%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Aurora, IL
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$177$177
$80.8COP 263.1K
118.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$50.9$50.9
$9.95COP 32.4K
411.16%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.6$65.6
$24.18COP 78.7K
171.13%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Aurora, IL
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$34.55$34.55
$25.08COP 81.7K
37.76%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$19.15COP 62.3K
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.12$11.12
$3.98COP 13.0K
179.40%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Aurora, IL
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,363$1,363
$305COP 993.5K
346.69%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$24.4K$24.4K
$6,059COP 19.7M
302.48%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Aurora, IL
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.44$49.44
$58.1COP 189.2K
-14.95%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.12$49.12
$32.20COP 104.8K
52.55%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$68.6$68.6
$101COP 327.9K
-31.90%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$81.3$81.3
$108COP 350.8K
-24.55%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Aurora, IL
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,382$1,382
$477COP 1.6M
190.05%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$891$891
$376COP 1.2M
136.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,137$2,137
$845COP 2.7M
153.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,218$2,218
$730COP 2.4M
203.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$9,836$9,836
$3,215COP 10.5M
205.89%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,253$3,253
$1,372COP 4.5M
137.05%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Aurora, IL
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,857$3,857
$617COP 2.0M
525.35%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.52
13.43
-51.45%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Aurora, IL: July 14, 2026
Last update for Medellin: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,382 in Aurora, IL versus $477 in Medellin. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 525% higher in Aurora, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $63.0 in Aurora, IL versus $33.00 in Medellin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $352 vs $193 – making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Aurora, IL vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Aurora, IL or Medellin?
Aurora, IL costs about 103% more than Medellin, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Aurora, IL and in Medellin?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,141 per month in Aurora, IL and $1,546 in Medellin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Aurora, IL or Medellin?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Medellin, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Aurora, IL and in Medellin?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $63.0 in Aurora, IL and $33.00 in Medellin. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Aurora, IL compared to Medellin?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,094 in Aurora, IL and $1,031 in Medellin. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Aurora, IL or in Medellin?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,031, than in Aurora, IL at $2,094. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Aurora, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Aurora, IL or Medellin?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Medellin costs $1,031 versus $2,094 in Aurora, IL. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Aurora, IL or to Medellin?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Aurora, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Aurora, IL vs other spots: cost of living compared