😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,587 in Lisle, IL versus $1,003 in Medellin.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,783 in Lisle, IL versus $1,573 in Medellin.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,979 in Lisle, IL versus $2,143 in Medellin.
🌍Living in Lisle, IL is roughly 158% more expensive than in Medellin, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Lisle, IL is 94% above, Medellin is 25% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lisle, IL
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.25$19.25
$5.91COP 18.6K
225.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.6$75.6
$32.96COP 103.8K
129.49%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.96$10.96
$7.43COP 23.4K
47.51%
Cappuccino
$5.00$5.00
$1.65COP 5,207
203.03%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.51$2.51
$1.10COP 3,468
128.18%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95$1.95
$0.78COP 2,458
150.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.17$6.17
$1.72COP 5,412
258.72%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.03$7.03
$3.18COP 10.0K
121.07%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lisle, IL
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.03$1.03
$1.10COP 3,474
-6.36%
White Bread(500g)
$3.46$3.46
$1.26COP 3,962
174.60%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.33$4.33
$1.38COP 4,349
213.77%
Eggs
$4.17$4.17
$2.18COP 6,858
91.28%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.07$12.07
$4.49COP 14.1K
168.82%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.36$11.36
$5.79COP 18.2K
96.20%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.37$15.37
$8.97COP 28.2K
71.35%
Apples(1kg)
$4.86$4.86
$2.32COP 7,308
109.48%
Banana(1kg)
$1.65$1.65
$1.06COP 3,352
55.66%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.16$4.16
$1.52COP 4,774
173.68%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.84$4.84
$1.36COP 4,270
255.88%
Potato(1kg)
$2.90$2.90
$1.13COP 3,552
156.64%
Onion(1kg)
$2.79$2.79
$1.17COP 3,689
138.46%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.03$2.03
$0.90COP 2,838
125.56%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.13$2.13
$0.90COP 2,823
136.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.62$9.62
$2.23COP 7,034
331.39%
Wine(Bottle)
$16.66$16.66
$12.12COP 38.2K
37.46%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.77$1.77
$1.19COP 3,743
48.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.27$3.27
$2.48COP 7,815
31.85%
🚌 Getting Around
Lisle, IL
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.05$2.05
$0.85COP 2,687
141.18%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$41.62COP 131.0K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.53$3.53
$1.42COP 4,459
148.59%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.66$1.66
$1.95COP 6,141
-14.87%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$28.98$28.98
$7.89COP 24.8K
267.30%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.90$0.90
$0.99COP 3,118
-9.09%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.1K$30.1K
$17.6KCOP 55.4M
71.18%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K$26.1K
$26.8KCOP 84.4M
-2.65%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lisle, IL
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$184$184
$83.0COP 261.4K
121.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$52.1$52.1
$9.70COP 30.5K
437.22%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$67.1$67.1
$23.52COP 74.1K
185.20%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lisle, IL
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.99$42.99
$25.26COP 79.5K
70.19%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$19.10COP 60.1K
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.65$13.65
$3.95COP 12.4K
245.57%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lisle, IL
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,313$1,313
$316COP 994.2K
315.83%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$23.3K$23.3K
$5,975COP 18.8M
290.50%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lisle, IL
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.5$51.5
$60.0COP 188.9K
-14.22%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.30$39.30
$31.82COP 100.2K
23.51%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$85.8$85.8
$102COP 320.1K
-15.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114$114
$107COP 338.3K
5.69%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lisle, IL
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,576$1,576
$475COP 1.5M
231.93%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,377$1,377
$374COP 1.2M
268.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,642$2,642
$849COP 2.7M
211.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,198$2,198
$719COP 2.3M
205.49%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,707$2,707
$3,265COP 10.3M
-17.10%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,335$2,335
$1,441COP 4.5M
62.06%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lisle, IL
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$5,385$5,385
$624COP 2.0M
762.35%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.51
13.43
-51.53%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lisle, IL: July 27, 2026
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,576 in Lisle, IL and $475 in Medellin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Lisle, IL pays 762% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $76.0 in Lisle, IL vs $33.00 in Medellin for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $390 vs $193 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
Lisle, IL vs Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Lisle, IL or Medellin?
Medellin wins on cost – living expenses run 158% lower than in Lisle, IL. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Medellin the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Lisle, IL or in Medellin?
Average pay runs 762% higher in Lisle, IL, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Lisle, IL compared to Medellin?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,576 in Lisle, IL versus $475 in Medellin. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Lisle, IL or in Medellin?
Supermarket bills run roughly 102% higher in Lisle, IL. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Lisle, IL compared to Medellin?
All in, you'll spend $2,587 per month in Lisle, IL versus $1,003 in Medellin – a 158% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Lisle, IL or in Medellin?
At $1,003 in Medellin versus $2,587 in Lisle, IL, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Lisle, IL. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Lisle, IL or Medellin?
Both work as nomad bases, but Medellin delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,003 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Medellin hard to pass up.
How safe is Lisle, IL compared to Medellin?
Safety-wise, Lisle, IL and Medellin are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 158% less than in Lisle, IL. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.