Chicago, IL vs Medellín: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Medellín costs roughly 91% less than Chicago, IL. Chicago, IL scores significantly higher on safety — worth weighing against the cost gap. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Medellín is approximately 157% less expensive than Chicago, IL based on cost of living including rent. This makes Medellín a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Medellín has a FIRE Score of 74/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 60, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Medellín is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
Chicago, IL
United StatesAbout Chicago, IL
Chicago is a rare big American city where a $4,850/mo average net salary can actually cover a $2,000/mo one-bedroom outside the center, though you will pay for the privilege of living in Lincoln Park or Lakeview. The cost of living index sits at 88 against NYC's 100, which sounds like a bargain until you tally the $1,450/mo in non-rent costs and $293/mo in utilities. Safety is decent for a metro of 2.7 million, with a 70/100 safety index and a 30/100 crime index, but the FIRE score of 50/100 tells you this is not a city for aggressive early retirement. Come for the excellent healthcare, 200 Mbps internet, and large expat community; stay if you can stomach continental winters and a retiree score of 58/100.
About United States
Best for families seeking high English proficiency and excellent air travel access, with no retiree or digital nomad visa available. Internet speed of 390.28 Mbps and a large expat community support remote work, but the cost of living index is 100 (global baseline). Key trade-off: no retirement or digital nomad visa, and a complex pathway to residency or citizenship limits long-term stays.
$-2,500/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Medellín
Medellín is a punchy, mid-priced bet for expats who can stomach the safety trade-off: a single adult runs about $1,217/mo mid-range, which is a steal compared to any US city, and the eternal spring climate is genuinely pleasant. But don't kid yourself about the local economy: the average monthly net salary is $645/mo, so your dollar goes far, yet the gap between expat budgets and local wages is stark. The digital nomad score of 72/100 and a large, active expat community in places like Poblado and Laureles make it easy to plug in, but English proficiency is limited, so you'll need Spanish to truly navigate. If you're chasing FIRE, the 74/100 score and low $839/mo budget tier are tempting, just remember the crime index sits at 38/100, so street smarts are non-negotiable.
About Colombia
Colombia works for budget-focused retirees willing to trade nightly safety margin for cost savings, not for anyone spooked by a Level 3 travel advisory. Rent outside the center runs $343.7/mo, gutting your housing line, but a 39.1 safety index means you plan routes and skip flashing cash. The income threshold for the Pensionado visa is $1,382/mo, and the Nomad visa requires $1,318/mo, cheap entry into a clear PR pathway.
$1,783/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Chicago, IL | Medellín |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $2650 | $1030.12 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $2000 | $615.86 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $4850 | $1845.21 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $3500 | $993.01 |
| Safety Index | 70 | 60 |
| Internet Speed | 200Mbps | 56.8Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Chicago, IL | Medellín |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | N/A | $1,271/mo |
| Excluding rent | N/A | $655/mo |
| Rent | N/A | $616/mo |
| Groceries | N/A | $197/mo |
| Dining out | N/A | $80.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | N/A | $93.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | N/A | $208/mo |
| Transport | N/A | $77.00/mo |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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Chicago, IL vs Medellín -- Frequently Asked Questions
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