🙂A single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $2,549 in Streamwood, IL, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $3,770 in Streamwood, IL, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $4,992 in Streamwood, IL, rent included.
🙂Medellin is about 59% cheaper than Streamwood, IL, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Medellin sits 23% below the global median, while Streamwood, IL is 90% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Streamwood, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COP 21.4K
$14.96$14.96
-60.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COP 118.2K
$88.3$88.3
-62.91%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COP 26.0K
$11.06$11.06
-34.90%
Cappuccino
$1.70COP 6,140
$5.42$5.42
-68.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COP 3,966
$2.70$2.70
-59.26%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COP 2,605
$2.32$2.32
-68.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COP 6,022
$6.08$6.08
-72.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COP 11.2K
$7.14$7.14
-56.58%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Streamwood, IL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COP 3,809
$0.86$0.86
23.26%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COP 4,497
$3.82$3.82
-67.28%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COP 5,022
$3.28$3.28
-57.62%
Eggs
$2.26COP 8,168
$4.09$4.09
-44.74%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COP 15.6K
$9.75$9.75
-55.59%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COP 21.1K
$11.21$11.21
-47.90%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COP 31.9K
$14.27$14.27
-38.12%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COP 8,099
$4.56$4.56
-50.88%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COP 3,882
$1.73$1.73
-37.57%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COP 5,522
$4.44$4.44
-65.54%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COP 4,950
$4.59$4.59
-70.15%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COP 4,078
$2.59$2.59
-56.37%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COP 4,036
$2.47$2.47
-54.66%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COP 3,057
$1.53$1.53
-44.44%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COP 3,281
$1.52$1.52
-40.13%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COP 8,414
$11.32$11.32
-79.42%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COP 40.2K
$11.96$11.96
-6.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COP 4,309
$1.71$1.71
-30.41%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COP 8,553
$4.73$4.73
-49.89%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Streamwood, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COP 2,838
$2.02$2.02
-60.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COP 148.5K
$39.31$39.31
4.63%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COP 5,184
$4.39$4.39
-67.20%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COP 6,901
$1.68$1.68
13.69%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COP 28.9K
$41.39$41.39
-80.62%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COP 3,385
$0.93$0.93
1.08%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOP 64.7M
$24.1K$24.1K
-25.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOP 96.7M
$25.9K$25.9K
3.59%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Streamwood, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COP 303.1K
$176$176
-52.24%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COP 34.7K
$51.9$51.9
-81.51%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COP 87.2K
$55.0$55.0
-56.06%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Streamwood, IL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COP 93.4K
$43.83$43.83
-40.95%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COP 68.7K
$7.96$7.96
139.20%
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COP 14.1K
$15.17$15.17
-74.16%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Streamwood, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COP 1.1M
$1,357$1,357
-77.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COP 21.4M
$24.3K$24.3K
-75.69%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Streamwood, IL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COP 209.1K
$45.20$45.20
28.12%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COP 114.9K
$45.86$45.86
-30.61%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COP 360.6K
$102$102
-1.66%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COP 386.8K
$98.8$98.8
8.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Streamwood, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COP 1.8M
$1,634$1,634
-70.21%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COP 1.3M
$1,366$1,366
-73.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COP 3.0M
$2,618$2,618
-68.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COP 2.6M
$2,224$2,224
-67.80%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COP 10.6M
$2,653$2,653
10.28%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COP 5.1M
$2,364$2,364
-40.49%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Streamwood, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COP 2.0M
$7,348$7,348
-92.58%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
6.52
105.98%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: April 27, 2026
Last update for Streamwood, IL: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $487 in Medellin versus $1,634 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 1247% 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 $33.00 in Medellin versus $88.0 in Streamwood, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $357 – 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 147%, 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 $1,550 per month in Medellin and $3,824 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 Streamwood, IL?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin and $88.0 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 vs Streamwood, IL?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,034 in Medellin and $2,549 in Streamwood, IL. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Streamwood, IL?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Medellin, where all-in costs run around $1,034, than in Streamwood, IL at $2,549. 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.