🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,716 in Medellin versus $2,592 in Lombard, IL.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,527 in Medellin versus $3,786 in Lombard, IL.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,338 in Medellin versus $4,981 in Lombard, IL.
🌍Living in Medellin costs roughly 34% less than in Lombard, IL, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Medellin25% above, Lombard, IL89% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Lombard, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.03COP 25.1K
$20.26$20.26
-60.37%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.26COP 150.8K
$76.4$76.4
-36.87%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.77COP 30.5K
$11.67$11.67
-16.28%
Cappuccino
$2.91COP 9,095
$6.27$6.27
-53.59%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94COP 6,074
$2.69$2.69
-27.88%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.52COP 4,754
$2.67$2.67
-43.07%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.09COP 9,663
$6.82$6.82
-54.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.74COP 17.9K
$6.09$6.09
-5.75%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Lombard, IL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.36COP 4,262
$1.05$1.05
29.52%
White Bread(500g)
$2.39COP 7,460
$3.43$3.43
-30.32%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70COP 5,314
$4.43$4.43
-61.63%
Eggs
$2.87COP 8,967
$4.33$4.33
-33.72%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.94COP 31.1K
$12.37$12.37
-19.64%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.78COP 33.7K
$11.49$11.49
-6.18%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.73COP 46.0K
$16.44$16.44
-10.40%
Apples(1kg)
$4.09COP 12.8K
$4.98$4.98
-17.87%
Banana(1kg)
$1.57COP 4,911
$1.58$1.58
-0.63%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.13COP 6,642
$4.30$4.30
-50.47%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.21COP 6,917
$4.64$4.64
-52.37%
Potato(1kg)
$2.05COP 6,396
$2.82$2.82
-27.30%
Onion(1kg)
$1.50COP 4,700
$2.97$2.97
-49.49%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.19COP 3,718
$2.34$2.34
-49.15%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.16COP 3,619
$2.44$2.44
-52.46%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.90COP 12.2K
$10.12$10.12
-61.46%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.44COP 45.1K
$14.87$14.87
-2.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.58COP 4,948
$1.93$1.93
-18.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.83COP 8,836
$3.40$3.40
-16.76%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Lombard, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.17COP 3,650
$2.26$2.26
-48.23%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$77.7COP 242.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.28COP 4,014
$2.60$2.60
-50.77%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.09COP 6,537
$1.54$1.54
35.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.62COP 26.9K
$28.46$28.46
-69.71%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.30COP 4,056
$0.97$0.97
34.02%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.7KCOP 86.4M
$41.1K$41.1K
-32.74%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.5KCOP 110.9M
$25.4K$25.4K
39.85%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Lombard, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$176COP 550.1K
$224$224
-21.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.37COP 41.8K
$57.5$57.5
-76.74%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.89COP 93.4K
$68.6$68.6
-56.40%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Lombard, IL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.76COP 139.8K
$41.94$41.94
6.72%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.06COP 53.3K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.20COP 19.4K
$13.84$13.84
-55.20%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Lombard, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$793COP 2.5M
$1,275$1,275
-37.78%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,019COP 28.2M
$21.0K$21.0K
-57.05%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Lombard, IL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$85.6COP 267.5K
$54.7$54.7
56.54%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.5COP 182.7K
$41.44$41.44
41.10%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$136COP 425.9K
$80.3$80.3
69.76%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103COP 322.2K
$125$125
-17.60%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Lombard, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,060COP 3.3M
$1,404$1,404
-24.53%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$680COP 2.1M
$1,439$1,439
-52.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,012COP 6.3M
$2,465$2,465
-18.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,169COP 3.7M
$1,882$1,882
-37.91%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,111COP 12.8M
$3,150$3,150
30.53%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,701COP 5.3M
$2,111$2,111
-19.42%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Lombard, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$665COP 2.1M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.94
6.12
78.76%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: August 30, 2026
Last update for Lombard, IL: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,060 in Medellin and $1,404 in Lombard, IL. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $48.00 in Medellin vs $76.0 in Lombard, IL for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $303 vs $398 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 Lombard, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lombard, IL cheaper than Medellin?
Medellin is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 51% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $2,574 in Medellin and $3,888 in Lombard, 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.
What is the rent difference between Medellin and Lombard, IL?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,060 in Medellin versus $1,404 in Lombard, IL. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and in Lombard, IL?
Supermarket bills run roughly 31% higher in Lombard, IL. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin and in Lombard, IL?
All in, you'll spend $1,716 per month in Medellin versus $2,592 in Lombard, IL – a 51% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Lombard, IL?
At $1,716 in Medellin versus $2,592 in Lombard, IL, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Medellin but tight or insufficient in Lombard, IL. The gap between the two cities makes Medellin the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Medellin or Lombard, IL more family-friendly?
For families, Medellin is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Lombard, IL, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Lombard, IL?
Safety-wise, Medellin and Lombard, 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 51% less than in Lombard, IL. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.