πA single person spends $1,028 per month in Medellin vs $2,621 in Shelby Township, MI, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,586 per month in Medellin vs $3,830 in Shelby Township, MI, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,144 per month in Medellin vs $5,039 in Shelby Township, MI, rent included.
πMedellin is about 61% cheaper than Shelby Township, MI, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πMedellin sits 23% below the global median, while Shelby Township, MI is 97% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Shelby Township, MI
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.00COPΒ 20.6K
$19.25$19.25
-68.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.84COPΒ 112.5K
$74.5$74.5
-55.94%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.42COPΒ 25.4K
$10.95$10.95
-32.24%
Cappuccino
$1.65COPΒ 5,659
$5.20$5.20
-68.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07COPΒ 3,663
$2.58$2.58
-58.53%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76COPΒ 2,607
$2.06$2.06
-63.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72COPΒ 5,908
$5.96$5.96
-71.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20COPΒ 11.0K
$6.83$6.83
-53.15%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Shelby Township, MI
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,597
$1.05$1.05
-
White Bread(500g)
$1.31COPΒ 4,479
$3.41$3.41
-61.58%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.34COPΒ 4,591
$4.41$4.41
-69.61%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,521
$4.10$4.10
-46.59%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.41COPΒ 15.1K
$12.38$12.38
-64.38%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.69COPΒ 19.5K
$11.61$11.61
-50.99%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.52COPΒ 29.2K
$15.41$15.41
-44.71%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,023
$5.05$5.05
-53.66%
Banana(1kg)
$1.11COPΒ 3,804
$1.62$1.62
-31.48%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,210
$4.17$4.17
-63.55%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,680
$4.80$4.80
-71.46%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 3,950
$2.81$2.81
-59.07%
Onion(1kg)
$1.18COPΒ 4,043
$2.90$2.90
-59.31%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.84COPΒ 2,885
$2.00$2.00
-58.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86COPΒ 2,931
$2.10$2.10
-59.05%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.26COPΒ 7,753
$9.66$9.66
-76.60%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.60COPΒ 39.8K
$15.01$15.01
-22.72%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,109
$1.86$1.86
-35.48%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48COPΒ 8,484
$3.42$3.42
-27.49%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Shelby Township, MI
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,721
$2.02$2.02
-60.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.83COPΒ 139.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,023
$3.42$3.42
-57.02%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.92COPΒ 6,568
$1.66$1.66
15.66%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.77COPΒ 26.6K
$28.75$28.75
-72.97%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,464
$0.90$0.90
12.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.7KCOPΒ 60.5M
$29.9K$29.9K
-40.95%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 90.7M
$25.9K$25.9K
2.04%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Shelby Township, MI
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.1COPΒ 277.9K
$185$185
-56.27%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.43COPΒ 32.3K
$53.1$53.1
-82.22%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.86COPΒ 81.8K
$68.9$68.9
-65.39%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Shelby Township, MI
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.99COPΒ 89.1K
$42.26$42.26
-38.50%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.71COPΒ 64.1K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.09COPΒ 14.0K
$13.63$13.63
-69.99%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Shelby Township, MI
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$315COPΒ 1.1M
$1,287$1,287
-75.57%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,022COPΒ 20.6M
$23.4K$23.4K
-74.22%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Shelby Township, MI
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.7COPΒ 204.6K
$51.4$51.4
16.13%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.97COPΒ 109.6K
$39.29$39.29
-18.63%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101COPΒ 346.9K
$86.3$86.3
17.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$105COPΒ 360.3K
$111$111
-5.54%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Shelby Township, MI
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$485COPΒ 1.7M
$1,599$1,599
-69.65%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$365COPΒ 1.3M
$1,374$1,374
-73.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$827COPΒ 2.8M
$2,657$2,657
-68.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$730COPΒ 2.5M
$2,209$2,209
-66.94%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,992COPΒ 10.3M
$2,623$2,623
14.06%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,314COPΒ 4.5M
$2,408$2,408
-45.43%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Shelby Township, MI
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$551COPΒ 1.9M
$4,706$4,706
-88.30%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.51
106.30%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 15, 2026
Last update for Shelby Township, MI: June 16, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $485 in Medellin versus $1,599 in Shelby Township, MI. 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 754% higher in Shelby Township, MI, 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 $75.0 in Shelby Township, MI. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $389 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 Shelby Township, MI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shelby Township, MI cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Shelby Township, MI is pricier by about 155%, 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 $1,542 per month in Medellin and $3,931 in Shelby Township, MI. 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 Shelby Township, MI?
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Shelby Township, MI?
Groceries cost about 105% more in Shelby Township, MI, 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 Shelby Township, MI?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,028, than in Shelby Township, MI at $2,621. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Shelby Township, MI it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Shelby Township, MI 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 Shelby Township, MI?
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, Shelby Township, MI makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.