🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,003 in Medellin versus $2,365 in Bradley, IL.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,573 in Medellin versus $3,350 in Bradley, IL.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,143 in Medellin versus $4,335 in Bradley, IL.
🌍Living in Medellin costs roughly 58% less than in Bradley, IL, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 25% below, Bradley, IL is 78% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Bradley, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.91COP 18.6K
$14.75$14.75
-59.93%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.96COP 103.8K
$50.1$50.1
-34.16%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.43COP 23.4K
$11.10$11.10
-33.06%
Cappuccino
$1.65COP 5,207
$2.93$2.93
-43.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,468
$2.02$2.02
-45.54%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COP 2,458
$1.51$1.51
-48.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,412
$4.01$4.01
-57.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18COP 10.0K
$5.13$5.13
-38.01%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Bradley, IL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10COP 3,474
$0.51$0.51
115.69%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COP 3,962
$2.68$2.68
-52.99%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,349
$2.17$2.17
-36.41%
Eggs
$2.18COP 6,858
$2.68$2.68
-18.66%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.49COP 14.1K
$11.04$11.04
-59.33%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.79COP 18.2K
$6.16$6.16
-6.01%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97COP 28.2K
$8.95$8.95
0.22%
Apples(1kg)
$2.32COP 7,308
$3.22$3.22
-27.95%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COP 3,352
$1.63$1.63
-34.97%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COP 4,774
$3.38$3.38
-55.03%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.36COP 4,270
$4.11$4.11
-66.91%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 3,552
$2.24$2.24
-49.55%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,689
$2.14$2.14
-45.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90COP 2,838
$2.45$2.45
-63.27%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COP 2,823
$0.98$0.98
-8.16%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.23COP 7,034
$8.79$8.79
-74.63%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.12COP 38.2K
$12.85$12.85
-5.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 3,743
$2.13$2.13
-44.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COP 7,815
$3.98$3.98
-37.69%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Bradley, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.85COP 2,687
$2.01$2.01
-57.71%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.62COP 131.0K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42COP 4,459
$3.49$3.49
-59.31%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.95COP 6,141
$1.43$1.43
36.36%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.89COP 24.8K
$29.73$29.73
-73.46%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99COP 3,118
$0.97$0.97
2.06%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOP 55.4M
$29.4K$29.4K
-40.14%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 84.4M
$22.7K$22.7K
18.20%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Bradley, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.0COP 261.4K
$215$215
-61.48%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.70COP 30.5K
$42.00$42.00
-76.90%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.52COP 74.1K
$59.0$59.0
-60.14%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Bradley, IL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.26COP 79.5K
$43.86$43.86
-42.41%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.10COP 60.1K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.95COP 12.4K
$10.03$10.03
-60.62%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Bradley, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$316COP 994.2K
$1,206$1,206
-73.81%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,975COP 18.8M
$23.4K$23.4K
-74.43%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Bradley, IL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0COP 188.9K
$24.97$24.97
140.29%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 100.2K
$39.32$39.32
-19.07%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102COP 320.1K
$60.5$60.5
68.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 338.3K
$81.5$81.5
31.89%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Bradley, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$475COP 1.5M
$1,571$1,571
-69.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$374COP 1.2M
$1,360$1,360
-72.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$849COP 2.7M
$2,644$2,644
-67.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$719COP 2.3M
$2,261$2,261
-68.18%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,265COP 10.3M
$2,366$2,366
37.99%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,441COP 4.5M
$2,483$2,483
-41.99%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Bradley, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$624COP 2.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.56
104.73%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Last update for Bradley, IL: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $475 in Medellin and $1,571 in Bradley, IL. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $50.0 in Bradley, IL for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $193 vs $279 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 Bradley, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and in Bradley, IL?
Medellin and Bradley, IL differ by about 136% in total monthly costs ($1,003 vs $2,365 including rent). Medellin is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Bradley, IL?
You'd need roughly $1,504 in Medellin and $3,547 in Bradley, IL to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Medellin and in Bradley, IL?
Rent for a central apartment: $475 in Medellin versus $1,571 in Bradley, IL. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Medellin and Bradley, IL?
Childcare runs $316 in Medellin versus $1,206 in Bradley, IL. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Medellin – a meal for two runs $33.00 versus $50.0 in Bradley, IL. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,003 in Medellin versus $2,365 in Bradley, IL, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Bradley, IL. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Bradley, IL?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Medellin or Bradley, IL?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 136% less than in Bradley, IL. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.