πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $2,653 in McHenry, IL, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $3,857 in McHenry, IL, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $5,061 in McHenry, IL, rent included.
πMedellin is about 62% cheaper than McHenry, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πMedellin sits 24% below the global median, while McHenry, IL is 98% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.5K
$14.87$14.87
-59.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 118.1K
$74.1$74.1
-55.63%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.5K
$10.85$10.85
-34.65%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,154
$5.34$5.34
-67.98%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,949
$2.66$2.66
-58.65%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,798
$2.37$2.37
-67.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 6,035
$6.02$6.02
-72.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$7.17$7.17
-57.18%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,930
$0.92$0.92
18.48%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,536
$3.79$3.79
-66.75%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,953
$5.29$5.29
-73.91%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,876
$4.01$4.01
-45.39%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.8K
$14.14$14.14
-68.88%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.2K
$13.05$13.05
-56.86%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 32.0K
$16.58$16.58
-46.38%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,401
$4.41$4.41
-46.94%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,801
$1.54$1.54
-31.17%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,408
$5.73$5.73
-73.82%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,955
$4.81$4.81
-71.31%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,137
$2.71$2.71
-57.56%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,181
$2.92$2.92
-60.27%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,202
$1.93$1.93
-53.89%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 3,016
$2.02$2.02
-58.42%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,196
$10.06$10.06
-77.34%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.2K
$15.34$15.34
-30.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,311
$2.39$2.39
-49.79%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,880
$4.64$4.64
-46.77%
π Getting Around
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,075
$1.99$1.99
-56.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 148.8K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,297
$4.56$4.56
-67.76%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,053
$2.12$2.12
-7.55%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.8K
$42.49$42.49
-81.78%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,430
$0.83$0.83
14.46%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 65.2M
$25.0K$25.0K
-27.61%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 95.2M
$25.0K$25.0K
6.13%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 295.6K
$214$214
-61.55%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 34.1K
$51.3$51.3
-81.49%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 87.1K
$76.2$76.2
-68.19%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 93.0K
$42.14$42.14
-38.56%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 68.3K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.1K
$15.09$15.09
-73.96%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$1,659$1,659
-81.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.4M
$24.6K$24.6K
-75.80%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 210.8K
$50.2$50.2
16.90%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 116.2K
$48.91$48.91
-33.86%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 368.7K
$101$101
1.97%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 389.6K
$132$132
-18.01%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$1,574$1,574
-69.75%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$1,378$1,378
-72.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$2,613$2,613
-67.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$2,203$2,203
-67.14%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
$2,613$2,613
6.77%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.4M
$2,269$2,269
-46.62%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
$5,513$5,513
-90.72%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.55
105.04%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: May 31, 2026
Last update for McHenry, IL: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $1,574 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.
π°Salaries run about 977% higher in McHenry, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $74.0 in McHenry, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $418 β 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 162% more than Medellin, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 vs McHenry, IL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,519 per month in Medellin and $3,979 in McHenry, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β 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 vs McHenry, IL?
Are groceries more expensive in Medellin or McHenry, IL?
Groceries cost about 122% 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 $1,500/month in Medellin or McHenry, IL?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,013, than in McHenry, IL at $2,653. 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 $1,013 versus $2,653 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 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.