Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Streamwood, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Streamwood, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,687 per month in Medellin vs $2,482 in Streamwood, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,535 per month in Medellin vs $3,697 in Streamwood, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,383 per month in Medellin vs $4,911 in Streamwood, IL, rent included.

Medellin is about 32% cheaper than Streamwood, IL, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Medellin and Streamwood, IL sit above the global median – Medellin by 23%, Streamwood, IL by 81%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Streamwood, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.89 COP 24.2K
$20.35 $20.35
-61.23%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.53 COP 136.5K
$76.3 $76.3
-41.62%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.29 COP 28.5K
$12.10 $12.10
-23.22%
Cappuccino
$2.90 COP 8,874
$5.18 $5.18
-44.02%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.81 COP 5,541
$2.94 $2.94
-38.44%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.55 COP 4,741
$2.43 $2.43
-36.21%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.25 COP 9,962
$6.09 $6.09
-46.63%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.88 COP 18.0K
$7.56 $7.56
-22.22%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Streamwood, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.38 COP 4,230
$0.96 $0.96
43.75%
White Bread (500g)
$2.45 COP 7,517
$3.52 $3.52
-30.40%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.51 COP 4,617
$2.93 $2.93
-48.46%
Eggs
$2.78 COP 8,516
$3.65 $3.65
-23.84%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.05 COP 27.7K
$9.74 $9.74
-7.08%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.65 COP 32.6K
$11.27 $11.27
-5.50%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.63 COP 44.8K
$14.61 $14.61
0.14%
Apples (1kg)
$3.97 COP 12.2K
$4.90 $4.90
-18.98%
Banana (1kg)
$1.38 COP 4,219
$1.66 $1.66
-16.87%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.30 COP 7,056
$4.48 $4.48
-48.66%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.02 COP 6,185
$4.90 $4.90
-58.78%
Potato (1kg)
$2.09 COP 6,390
$2.76 $2.76
-24.28%
Onion (1kg)
$1.63 COP 4,996
$3.11 $3.11
-47.59%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.08 COP 3,313
$1.54 $1.54
-29.87%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.25 COP 3,843
$1.48 $1.48
-15.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.03 COP 12.4K
$10.39 $10.39
-61.21%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.47 COP 41.3K
$12.15 $12.15
10.86%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.60 COP 4,904
$1.75 $1.75
-8.57%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00 COP 9,189
$4.48 $4.48
-33.04%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Streamwood, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.18 COP 3,611
$1.99 $1.99
-40.70%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$79.9 COP 244.9K
$40.76 $40.76
96.12%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.61 COP 4,920
$3.95 $3.95
-59.24%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.13 COP 6,533
$1.95 $1.95
9.23%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.52 COP 26.1K
$44.51 $44.51
-80.86%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 COP 4,142
$1.03 $1.03
31.07%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.3K COP 86.8M
$24.4K $24.4K
16.26%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.7K COP 109.4M
$25.1K $25.1K
42.11%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Streamwood, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$151 COP 463.8K
$171 $171
-11.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.10 COP 40.1K
$52.8 $52.8
-75.17%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.30 COP 99.0K
$55.9 $55.9
-42.26%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Streamwood, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$46.33 COP 141.9K
$41.44 $41.44
11.80%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.26 COP 52.9K
$8.07 $8.07
113.88%
Cinema Ticket
$6.43 COP 19.7K
$14.75 $14.75
-56.41%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Streamwood, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$835 COP 2.6M
$1,489 $1,489
-43.93%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,887 COP 27.2M
$23.8K $23.8K
-62.61%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Streamwood, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$89.3 COP 273.7K
$56.8 $56.8
57.16%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.3 COP 169.5K
$45.55 $45.55
21.43%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$137 COP 418.5K
$98.6 $98.6
38.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109 COP 335.1K
$99.4 $99.4
10.03%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Streamwood, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$952 COP 2.9M
$1,601 $1,601
-40.54%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$668 COP 2.0M
$1,268 $1,268
-47.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,020 COP 6.2M
$2,493 $2,493
-18.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,148 COP 3.5M
$2,160 $2,160
-46.83%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,696 COP 11.3M
$2,771 $2,771
33.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,586 COP 4.9M
$2,392 $2,392
-33.73%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Streamwood, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$625 COP 1.9M
$7,109 $7,109
-91.20%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.43
6.16
69.32%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Medellin: August 17, 2026

Last update for Streamwood, IL: August 16, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $952 in Medellin versus $1,601 in Streamwood, 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 1037% higher in Streamwood, 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 $45.00 in Medellin versus $76.0 in Streamwood, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $297 vs $358 – 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 Streamwood, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Streamwood, IL cheaper than Medellin?
Yes – Streamwood, IL is pricier by about 47%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. 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 $2,530 per month in Medellin and $3,723 in Streamwood, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – 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 in Streamwood, IL?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $45.00 in Medellin and $76.0 in Streamwood, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin and in Streamwood, IL?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,687 in Medellin and $2,482 in Streamwood, IL. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Streamwood, IL?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,687, than in Streamwood, IL at $2,482. In Medellin it covers expenses comfortably, while in Streamwood, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Streamwood, IL more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Medellin – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
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, Streamwood, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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