Cost of Living Comparison Between Algiers and Barcelona Cost of Living Comparison Between Algiers and Barcelona

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $598 in Algiers versus $2,482 in Barcelona.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $999 in Algiers versus $3,548 in Barcelona.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,399 in Algiers versus $4,613 in Barcelona.

Living in Algiers costs roughly 76% less than in Barcelona, driven mainly by Eating Out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Algiers is 57% below, Barcelona is 80% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Algiers
Barcelona
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.53 DZD 468
$18.42 €15.88
-80.84%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$28.65 DZD 3,800
$69.4 €59.8
-58.70%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.62 DZD 612
$14.05 €12.11
-67.12%
Cappuccino
$1.16 DZD 154
$3.11 €2.68
-62.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.63 DZD 83.0
$2.96 €2.55
-78.72%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30 DZD 40.16
$1.95 €1.69
-84.62%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.34 DZD 310
$3.99 €3.44
-41.35%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33 DZD 309
$4.62 €3.98
-49.57%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Algiers
Barcelona
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.91 DZD 121
$1.32 €1.14
-31.06%
White Bread (500g)
$0.16 DZD 20.87
$2.11 €1.82
-92.42%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.20 DZD 159
$1.83 €1.57
-34.43%
Eggs
$1.40 DZD 185
$5.16 €4.45
-72.87%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.15 DZD 1,081
$17.56 €15.14
-53.59%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.01 DZD 532
$9.50 €8.19
-57.79%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.75 DZD 1,956
$19.93 €17.18
-25.99%
Apples (1kg)
$2.20 DZD 292
$3.17 €2.73
-30.60%
Banana (1kg)
$2.85 DZD 378
$2.21 €1.91
28.96%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.12 DZD 148
$2.61 €2.25
-57.09%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.95 DZD 127
$2.85 €2.46
-66.67%
Potato (1kg)
$0.63 DZD 83.8
$2.17 €1.87
-70.97%
Onion (1kg)
$0.51 DZD 67.4
$2.11 €1.81
-75.83%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.84 DZD 111
$1.62 €1.39
-48.15%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.28 DZD 37.20
$0.88 €0.76
-68.18%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.18 DZD 421
$7.17 €6.18
-55.65%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.06 DZD 936
$8.33 €7.18
-15.25%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33 DZD 176
$1.50 €1.29
-11.33%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97 DZD 261
$2.75 €2.37
-28.36%
🚌 Getting Around
Algiers
Barcelona
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.38 DZD 50.8
$3.14 €2.70
-87.90%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$7.08 DZD 939
$26.25 €22.63
-73.03%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.55 DZD 73.1
$3.22 €2.78
-82.92%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.45 DZD 59.3
$1.51 €1.30
-70.20%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.69 DZD 754
$35.26 €30.39
-83.86%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.35 DZD 45.90
$1.75 €1.51
-80.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.9K DZD 4.8M
$36.7K €31.6K
-1.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.9K DZD 4.8M
$31.7K €27.3K
13.38%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Algiers
Barcelona
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$45.12 DZD 5,983
$187 €161
-75.89%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.91 DZD 1,447
$15.10 €13.01
-27.75%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.93 DZD 1,714
$37.60 €32.41
-65.61%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Algiers
Barcelona
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$26.24 DZD 3,480
$55.5 €47.83
-52.71%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$28.34 DZD 3,759
$16.74 €14.43
69.30%
Cinema Ticket
$4.67 DZD 619
$11.71 €10.09
-60.12%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Algiers
Barcelona
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$570 DZD 75.6K
$1,011 €871
-43.62%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,496 DZD 861.5K
$17.1K €14.7K
-61.94%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Algiers
Barcelona
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$33.79 DZD 4,480
$91.4 €78.8
-63.02%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.54 DZD 4,713
$41.00 €35.34
-13.32%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$72.9 DZD 9,669
$111 €95.3
-34.07%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$82.3 DZD 10.9K
$126 €109
-34.73%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Algiers
Barcelona
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$171 DZD 22.7K
$1,704 €1,469
-89.94%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$135 DZD 17.9K
$1,299 €1,120
-89.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$459 DZD 60.9K
$2,588 €2,231
-82.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$251 DZD 33.2K
$1,929 €1,663
-87.01%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,552 DZD 338.5K
$7,732 €6,665
-66.99%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,408 DZD 186.7K
$5,384 €4,641
-73.85%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Algiers
Barcelona
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$337 DZD 44.7K
$2,374 €2,046
-85.81%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.3
3.16
67.72%

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

Last update for Algiers: September 5, 2026

Last update for Barcelona: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $171 in Algiers and $1,704 in Barcelona. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Barcelona pays 604% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $29.00 in Algiers vs $69.0 in Barcelona for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $182 vs $333 per month, with Algiers cheaper across the board.

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
Algiers vs Barcelona: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barcelona cheaper than Algiers?
Algiers is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 315% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Algiers or Barcelona?
On paper, salaries run 604% lower in Barcelona. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Algiers and Barcelona?
Rent for a central apartment: $171 in Algiers versus $1,704 in Barcelona. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Algiers or in Barcelona?
Dining out is cheaper in Algiers – a meal for two runs $29.00 versus $69.0 in Barcelona. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Algiers and in Barcelona?
All in, you'll spend $598 per month in Algiers versus $2,482 in Barcelona – a 315% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Algiers or in Barcelona?
At $598 in Algiers versus $2,482 in Barcelona, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Algiers but tight or insufficient in Barcelona. The gap between the two cities makes Algiers the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Algiers or Barcelona more family-friendly?
For families, Algiers is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Barcelona, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Algiers or Barcelona?
Safety-wise, Algiers and Barcelona are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Algiers gentler on the wallet – expenses run 315% less than in Barcelona. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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