Chicago vs Medellín — Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Which city is cheaper, safer, and better for remote workers? Here's the data.
NoodlePants Verdict — generated from live data
Medellín edges out Chicago on affordability with a Cost of Living index of 32.4 vs 72 (US=100; very affordable vs premium). Medellín scores higher on safety (48/100), and Medellín wins on internet at ~130 Mbps. Overall, Medellín takes the Nomad Score crown with 80/100 — best for budget nomad and latam base.
* Some figures are country averages — full city-level data coming soon.Pro members get neighbourhood-level breakdowns.
Metric
Chicago
Medellín
Avg Rent 1BR (city centre)
US$2,000
US$580
Avg Rent 1BR (outside centre)
US$1,450
US$360
Cost of Living (US=100)
72
32
Safety Score
—
48/100
Internet Speed
—
130 Mbps
Nomad Score
—
80/100
Healthcare Score
—
70/100
Digital Nomad Visa
Not available
✓ Available
Who is each city for?
Chicago is better for…
See the United States country profileMedellín is better for…
Budget nomadLatAm baseSpring climateCommunity
See the Colombia country profileAlso compare
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