🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,018 in Medellin versus $2,566 in Lake Geneva, WI.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,609 in Medellin versus $3,474 in Lake Geneva, WI.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,200 in Medellin versus $4,382 in Lake Geneva, WI.
🌍Living in Medellin costs roughly 60% less than in Lake Geneva, WI, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Medellin is 24% below, Lake Geneva, WI is 92% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Lake Geneva, WI
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.93COP 19.0K
$20.72$20.72
-71.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.12COP 106.0K
$101$101
-67.21%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.12COP 22.8K
$11.91$11.91
-40.22%
Cappuccino
$1.71COP 5,457
$5.68$5.68
-69.89%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05COP 3,356
$2.99$2.99
-64.88%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COP 2,311
$2.45$2.45
-70.61%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,502
$6.99$6.99
-75.39%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.17COP 10.2K
$8.45$8.45
-62.49%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Lake Geneva, WI
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COP 3,408
$1.00$1.00
6.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.31COP 4,192
$2.46$2.46
-46.75%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.33COP 4,256
$5.51$5.51
-75.86%
Eggs
$2.28COP 7,298
$1.95$1.95
16.92%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.42COP 14.1K
$14.64$14.64
-69.81%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.92COP 18.9K
$9.55$9.55
-38.01%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.64COP 27.7K
$9.60$9.60
-10.00%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COP 7,504
$4.06$4.06
-42.36%
Banana(1kg)
$1.10COP 3,527
$1.72$1.72
-36.05%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.47COP 4,698
$4.27$4.27
-65.57%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,415
$4.44$4.44
-68.92%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,754
$2.49$2.49
-53.01%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,744
$2.75$2.75
-57.45%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90COP 2,890
$2.42$2.42
-62.81%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COP 2,693
$2.58$2.58
-67.44%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COP 7,449
$8.70$8.70
-73.22%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.92COP 38.1K
$13.07$13.07
-8.80%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.15COP 3,673
$2.48$2.48
-53.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42COP 7,749
$3.68$3.68
-34.24%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Lake Geneva, WI
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COP 2,687
$2.06$2.06
-59.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.83COP 130.7K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COP 4,517
$3.17$3.17
-55.52%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COP 6,127
$1.38$1.38
38.41%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.83COP 25.0K
$24.75$24.75
-68.36%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COP 3,020
$0.84$0.84
11.90%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.8KCOP 57.0M
$31.6K$31.6K
-43.52%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.1KCOP 86.7M
$26.6K$26.6K
1.92%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Lake Geneva, WI
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.3COP 266.4K
$188$188
-55.68%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.66COP 30.9K
$63.2$63.2
-84.71%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.22COP 77.5K
$49.83$49.83
-51.39%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Lake Geneva, WI
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.22COP 80.7K
$40.37$40.37
-37.53%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.33COP 61.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.07COP 13.0K
$10.20$10.20
-60.10%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Lake Geneva, WI
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$307COP 981.2K
$2,053$2,053
-85.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,981COP 19.1M
$39.8K$39.8K
-84.97%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Lake Geneva, WI
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0COP 191.9K
$64.1$64.1
-6.42%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.65COP 104.5K
$52.1$52.1
-37.32%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101COP 323.5K
$95.6$95.6
5.79%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COP 345.7K
$147$147
-26.75%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Lake Geneva, WI
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COP 1.5M
$1,526$1,526
-68.82%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COP 1.2M
$1,345$1,345
-71.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$816COP 2.6M
$1,660$1,660
-50.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$707COP 2.3M
$1,508$1,508
-53.10%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,190COP 10.2M
$2,848$2,848
11.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,446COP 4.6M
$2,555$2,555
-43.39%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Lake Geneva, WI
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$622COP 2.0M
$3,760$3,760
-83.46%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.45
108.22%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 20, 2026
Last update for Lake Geneva, WI: July 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $476 in Medellin and $1,526 in Lake Geneva, WI. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Lake Geneva, WI pays 505% 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 $101 in Lake Geneva, WI for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $192 vs $354 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 Lake Geneva, WI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Medellin and in Lake Geneva, WI?
Medellin and Lake Geneva, WI differ by about 152% in total monthly costs ($1,018 vs $2,566 including rent). Medellin is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 505% lower in Lake Geneva, WI. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Medellin and in Lake Geneva, WI?
Rent for a central apartment: $476 in Medellin versus $1,526 in Lake Geneva, WI. 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 Lake Geneva, WI?
Childcare runs $307 in Medellin versus $2,053 in Lake Geneva, WI. 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 $101 in Lake Geneva, WI. 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 $1,018 in Medellin versus $2,566 in Lake Geneva, WI, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Lake Geneva, WI. 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 Lake Geneva, WI?
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 Lake Geneva, WI?
Expats usually find Medellin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 152% less than in Lake Geneva, WI. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.