πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $2,420 in Mundelein, IL, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $3,586 in Mundelein, IL, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $4,753 in Mundelein, IL, rent included.
πMedellin is about 58% cheaper than Mundelein, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πMedellin sits 24% below the global median, while Mundelein, IL is 81% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Mundelein, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.5K
$14.91$14.91
-59.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 118.1K
$53.1$53.1
-38.11%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.5K
$7.63$7.63
-7.08%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,154
$5.22$5.22
-67.24%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,949
$2.64$2.64
-58.33%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,798
$2.34$2.34
-66.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 6,035
$6.01$6.01
-72.05%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 11.0K
$6.95$6.95
-55.83%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Mundelein, IL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,930
$0.81$0.81
34.57%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,536
$3.86$3.86
-67.36%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,953
$2.17$2.17
-36.41%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,876
$4.02$4.02
-45.52%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.8K
$13.89$13.89
-68.32%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.2K
$13.45$13.45
-58.14%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 32.0K
$16.19$16.19
-45.09%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,401
$4.43$4.43
-47.18%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,801
$1.47$1.47
-27.89%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,408
$5.75$5.75
-73.91%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,955
$4.60$4.60
-70.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,137
$2.73$2.73
-57.88%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,181
$2.87$2.87
-59.58%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,202
$2.03$2.03
-56.16%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 3,016
$2.04$2.04
-58.82%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,196
$9.81$9.81
-76.76%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 38.2K
$15.78$15.78
-32.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,311
$2.37$2.37
-49.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,880
$4.67$4.67
-47.11%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Mundelein, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,075
$1.97$1.97
-56.35%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 148.8K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,297
$4.63$4.63
-68.25%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 7,053
$2.19$2.19
-10.50%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.8K
$42.35$42.35
-81.72%
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
$25.1K$25.1K
-27.83%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 95.2M
$25.5K$25.5K
3.78%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Mundelein, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 295.6K
$182$182
-54.74%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 34.1K
$51.2$51.2
-81.43%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 87.1K
$45.65$45.65
-46.92%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Mundelein, IL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 93.0K
$43.22$43.22
-40.10%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 68.3K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.1K
$15.11$15.11
-73.99%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Mundelein, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$1,649$1,649
-81.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.4M
$25.0K$25.0K
-76.17%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Mundelein, IL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 210.8K
$67.1$67.1
-12.58%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 116.2K
$49.19$49.19
-34.23%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 368.7K
$102$102
0.92%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 389.6K
$133$133
-18.22%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Mundelein, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$1,490$1,490
-68.05%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$1,207$1,207
-68.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$2,306$2,306
-63.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$2,115$2,115
-65.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 10.0M
$2,825$2,825
-1.22%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.4M
$2,557$2,557
-52.63%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Mundelein, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
-
-
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 Mundelein, IL: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $1,490 in Mundelein, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $53.0 in Mundelein, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $405 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 Mundelein, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mundelein, IL cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Mundelein, IL is pricier by about 139%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,519 per month in Medellin and $3,630 in Mundelein, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
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.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or Mundelein, IL?
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Mundelein, IL?
Groceries cost about 115% more in Mundelein, IL, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Mundelein, IL?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,013, than in Mundelein, IL at $2,420. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Mundelein, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Mundelein, IL more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Medellin β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Mundelein, IL?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Medellin. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Mundelein, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.