🙂A single person spends $1,716 per month in Medellin vs $2,727 in McHenry, IL, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $2,527 per month in Medellin vs $3,964 in McHenry, IL, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $3,338 per month in Medellin vs $5,201 in McHenry, IL, rent included.
🙂Medellin is about 37% cheaper than McHenry, IL, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Medellin and McHenry, IL sit above the global median – Medellin by 25%, McHenry, IL by 98%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.03COP 25.1K
$19.84$19.84
-59.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.26COP 150.8K
$66.8$66.8
-27.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.77COP 30.5K
$13.05$13.05
-25.13%
Cappuccino
$2.91COP 9,095
$5.65$5.65
-48.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94COP 6,074
$3.16$3.16
-38.61%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.52COP 4,754
$2.51$2.51
-39.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.09COP 9,663
$6.87$6.87
-55.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.74COP 17.9K
$7.29$7.29
-21.26%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.36COP 4,262
$0.93$0.93
46.24%
White Bread(500g)
$2.39COP 7,460
$3.70$3.70
-35.41%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70COP 5,314
$5.02$5.02
-66.14%
Eggs
$2.87COP 8,967
$3.82$3.82
-24.87%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.94COP 31.1K
$15.13$15.13
-34.30%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.78COP 33.7K
$13.94$13.94
-22.67%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.73COP 46.0K
$20.51$20.51
-28.18%
Apples(1kg)
$4.09COP 12.8K
$4.82$4.82
-15.15%
Banana(1kg)
$1.57COP 4,911
$1.62$1.62
-3.09%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.13COP 6,642
$5.11$5.11
-58.32%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.21COP 6,917
$4.94$4.94
-55.26%
Potato(1kg)
$2.05COP 6,396
$2.79$2.79
-26.52%
Onion(1kg)
$1.50COP 4,700
$3.16$3.16
-52.53%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.19COP 3,718
$2.08$2.08
-42.79%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.16COP 3,619
$2.45$2.45
-52.65%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.90COP 12.2K
$10.40$10.40
-62.50%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.44COP 45.1K
$15.38$15.38
-6.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.58COP 4,948
$2.73$2.73
-42.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.83COP 8,836
$4.50$4.50
-37.11%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.17COP 3,650
$1.96$1.96
-40.31%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$77.7COP 242.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.28COP 4,014
$3.95$3.95
-67.59%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.09COP 6,537
$1.98$1.98
5.56%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.62COP 26.9K
$44.36$44.36
-80.57%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.30COP 4,056
$0.91$0.91
42.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.7KCOP 86.4M
$36.1K$36.1K
-23.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.5KCOP 110.9M
$25.3K$25.3K
40.57%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$176COP 550.1K
$255$255
-30.93%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.37COP 41.8K
$52.4$52.4
-74.47%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.89COP 93.4K
$82.6$82.6
-63.80%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.76COP 139.8K
$42.38$42.38
5.62%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.06COP 53.3K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.20COP 19.4K
$14.91$14.91
-58.42%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$793COP 2.5M
$1,694$1,694
-53.16%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,019COP 28.2M
$23.2K$23.2K
-61.11%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$85.6COP 267.5K
$64.4$64.4
32.93%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.5COP 182.7K
$51.4$51.4
13.67%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$136COP 425.9K
$107$107
26.85%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103COP 322.2K
$122$122
-15.55%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,060COP 3.3M
$1,606$1,606
-34.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$680COP 2.1M
$1,302$1,302
-47.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,012COP 6.3M
$2,514$2,514
-19.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,169COP 3.7M
$2,171$2,171
-46.19%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,111COP 12.8M
$2,779$2,779
47.93%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,701COP 5.3M
$2,358$2,358
-27.85%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$665COP 2.1M
$5,577$5,577
-88.07%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.94
6.29
73.93%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: August 30, 2026
Last update for McHenry, IL: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,060 in Medellin versus $1,606 in McHenry, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 738% higher in McHenry, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $48.00 in Medellin versus $67.0 in McHenry, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $303 vs $443 – making Medellin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 McHenry, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or McHenry, IL?
McHenry, IL costs about 59% more than Medellin, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Medellin and in McHenry, IL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,574 per month in Medellin and $4,091 in McHenry, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Medellin or McHenry, IL?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Medellin, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Medellin and in McHenry, IL?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $48.00 in Medellin and $67.0 in McHenry, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Medellin or in McHenry, IL?
Groceries cost about 46% more in McHenry, IL, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $2,500/month in Medellin or in McHenry, IL?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,716, than in McHenry, IL at $2,727. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in McHenry, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or McHenry, IL?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Medellin costs $1,716 versus $2,727 in McHenry, IL. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Medellin or to McHenry, IL?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, McHenry, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.