🙂A single person spends $1,018 per month in Medellin vs $2,653 in McHenry, IL, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,609 per month in Medellin vs $3,868 in McHenry, IL, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,200 per month in Medellin vs $5,083 in McHenry, IL, rent included.
🙂Medellin is about 62% cheaper than McHenry, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Medellin sits 24% below the global median, while McHenry, IL is 99% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.93COP 19.0K
$15.23$15.23
-61.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.12COP 106.0K
$76.2$76.2
-56.55%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.12COP 22.8K
$10.84$10.84
-34.32%
Cappuccino
$1.71COP 5,457
$5.51$5.51
-68.97%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05COP 3,356
$2.61$2.61
-59.77%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COP 2,311
$2.28$2.28
-68.42%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COP 5,502
$5.86$5.86
-70.65%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.17COP 10.2K
$7.07$7.07
-55.16%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COP 3,408
$0.91$0.91
16.48%
White Bread(500g)
$1.31COP 4,192
$3.69$3.69
-64.50%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.33COP 4,256
$5.18$5.18
-74.32%
Eggs
$2.28COP 7,298
$4.12$4.12
-44.66%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.42COP 14.1K
$13.68$13.68
-67.69%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.92COP 18.9K
$13.53$13.53
-56.25%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.64COP 27.7K
$16.33$16.33
-47.09%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COP 7,504
$4.49$4.49
-47.88%
Banana(1kg)
$1.10COP 3,527
$1.49$1.49
-26.17%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.47COP 4,698
$5.96$5.96
-75.34%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COP 4,415
$4.74$4.74
-70.89%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,754
$2.63$2.63
-55.51%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COP 3,744
$3.02$3.02
-61.26%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90COP 2,890
$2.02$2.02
-55.45%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COP 2,693
$2.05$2.05
-59.02%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COP 7,449
$10.10$10.10
-76.93%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.92COP 38.1K
$15.78$15.78
-24.46%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.15COP 3,673
$2.29$2.29
-49.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42COP 7,749
$4.79$4.79
-49.48%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COP 2,687
$2.04$2.04
-58.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.83COP 130.7K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COP 4,517
$4.41$4.41
-68.03%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COP 6,127
$2.15$2.15
-11.16%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.83COP 25.0K
$41.18$41.18
-80.99%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COP 3,020
$0.87$0.87
8.05%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.8KCOP 57.0M
$25.4K$25.4K
-29.74%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.1KCOP 86.7M
$25.1K$25.1K
8.00%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.3COP 266.4K
$220$220
-62.09%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.66COP 30.9K
$50.8$50.8
-80.97%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.22COP 77.5K
$75.1$75.1
-67.75%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.22COP 80.7K
$42.87$42.87
-41.17%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.33COP 61.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.07COP 13.0K
$15.15$15.15
-73.14%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$307COP 981.2K
$1,644$1,644
-81.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,981COP 19.1M
$24.2K$24.2K
-75.32%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0COP 191.9K
$49.40$49.40
21.36%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.65COP 104.5K
$47.57$47.57
-31.36%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101COP 323.5K
$99.9$99.9
1.23%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COP 345.7K
$135$135
-19.69%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COP 1.5M
$1,595$1,595
-70.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COP 1.2M
$1,355$1,355
-72.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$816COP 2.6M
$2,598$2,598
-68.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$707COP 2.3M
$2,254$2,254
-68.61%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,190COP 10.2M
$3,025$3,025
5.44%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,446COP 4.6M
$2,486$2,486
-41.81%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
McHenry, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$622COP 2.0M
$5,547$5,547
-88.79%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.55
105.04%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: July 20, 2026
Last update for McHenry, IL: July 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $1,595 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 792% 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 $33.00 in Medellin versus $76.0 in McHenry, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $192 vs $419 – 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 161% 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 and in McHenry, IL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,527 per month in Medellin and $3,979 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 $33.00 in Medellin and $76.0 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 118% 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 in McHenry, IL?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,018, 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 $1,018 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 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.