🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,028 in Medellin versus $2,776 in Berwyn, IL.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,586 in Medellin versus $3,980 in Berwyn, IL.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,144 in Medellin versus $5,185 in Berwyn, IL.
🌍Living in Medellin costs roughly 63% less than in Berwyn, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 23% below, Berwyn, IL is 108% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Berwyn, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.00COP 20.6K
$20.15$20.15
-70.22%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.84COP 112.9K
$79.1$79.1
-58.48%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.42COP 25.5K
$9.81$9.81
-24.36%
Cappuccino
$1.65COP 5,675
$5.82$5.82
-71.65%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07COP 3,673
$3.12$3.12
-65.71%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76COP 2,614
$2.25$2.25
-66.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,925
$4.89$4.89
-64.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20COP 11.0K
$8.10$8.10
-60.49%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Berwyn, IL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COP 3,607
$1.05$1.05
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.31COP 4,492
$4.09$4.09
-67.97%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.34COP 4,604
$5.31$5.31
-74.76%
Eggs
$2.19COP 7,543
$4.13$4.13
-46.97%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.41COP 15.2K
$14.16$14.16
-68.86%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.69COP 19.6K
$13.08$13.08
-56.50%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.52COP 29.3K
$19.46$19.46
-56.22%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COP 8,046
$5.72$5.72
-59.09%
Banana(1kg)
$1.11COP 3,815
$1.75$1.75
-36.57%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COP 5,225
$4.52$4.52
-66.37%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COP 4,694
$4.94$4.94
-72.27%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COP 3,962
$2.48$2.48
-53.63%
Onion(1kg)
$1.18COP 4,055
$2.81$2.81
-58.01%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.84COP 2,893
$2.46$2.46
-65.85%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86COP 2,940
$2.71$2.71
-68.27%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.26COP 7,776
$14.71$14.71
-84.64%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.60COP 39.9K
$15.56$15.56
-25.45%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COP 4,121
$1.88$1.88
-36.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COP 8,508
$3.60$3.60
-31.11%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Berwyn, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COP 2,729
$1.98$1.98
-60.10%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.83COP 140.4K
$76.2$76.2
-46.43%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COP 5,038
$2.76$2.76
-46.74%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.92COP 6,587
$1.37$1.37
40.15%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.77COP 26.7K
$21.25$21.25
-63.44%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COP 3,474
$0.85$0.85
18.82%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.7KCOP 60.7M
$32.3K$32.3K
-45.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOP 90.9M
$26.2K$26.2K
1.15%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Berwyn, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.1COP 278.8K
$185$185
-56.25%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.43COP 32.4K
$47.37$47.37
-80.09%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.86COP 82.0K
$65.9$65.9
-63.79%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Berwyn, IL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.99COP 89.4K
$43.59$43.59
-40.38%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.71COP 64.3K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.09COP 14.1K
$15.29$15.29
-73.25%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Berwyn, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$315COP 1.1M
$1,853$1,853
-83.02%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,022COP 20.7M
$24.2K$24.2K
-75.09%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Berwyn, IL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.7COP 205.2K
$54.4$54.4
9.84%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.97COP 109.9K
$44.65$44.65
-28.40%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101COP 347.9K
$96.2$96.2
5.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$105COP 361.3K
$124$124
-15.19%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Berwyn, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$485COP 1.7M
$1,627$1,627
-70.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$365COP 1.3M
$1,362$1,362
-73.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$827COP 2.8M
$2,615$2,615
-68.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$730COP 2.5M
$2,194$2,194
-66.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,992COP 10.3M
$2,587$2,587
15.68%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,314COP 4.5M
$2,602$2,602
-49.49%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Berwyn, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$551COP 1.9M
$4,043$4,043
-86.38%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.55
105.04%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 15, 2026
Last update for Berwyn, IL: June 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $485 in Medellin and $1,627 in Berwyn, IL. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Berwyn, IL pays 634% 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: $33.00 in Medellin vs $79.0 in Berwyn, IL for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $440 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
Medellin vs Berwyn, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Berwyn, IL cheaper than Medellin?
Medellin is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Getting Around, Sport & Entertainment. The 170% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Medellin or Berwyn, IL?
On paper, salaries run 634% lower in Berwyn, IL. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Medellin and Berwyn, IL?
Rent for a central apartment: $485 in Medellin versus $1,627 in Berwyn, IL. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $315 in Medellin versus $1,853 in Berwyn, IL. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and in Berwyn, IL?
Supermarket bills run roughly 132% higher in Berwyn, IL. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Berwyn, IL?
At $1,028 in Medellin versus $2,776 in Berwyn, IL, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Berwyn, IL. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or Berwyn, IL more family-friendly?
For families, Medellin is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Berwyn, IL, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Berwyn, IL?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Berwyn, IL 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 170% less than in Berwyn, IL. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.