Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Algiers and Buenos Aires

For one person, living is cheaper in Algiers: $594 a month against $1,685 in Buenos Aires, rent and utilities included – about $13,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Algiers
🇩🇿 Algeria
$594
/mo nomad
Buenos Aires
🇦🇷 Argentina
$1,685
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Algiers and in Buenos Aires

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Algiers and in Buenos Aires actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $594 in Algiers versus $1,685 in Buenos Aires.

  • Algiers $594
  • Buenos Aires $1,685

Estimated couple costs with rent: $974 in Algiers versus $2,742 in Buenos Aires.

  • Algiers $974
  • Buenos Aires $2,742

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,354 in Algiers versus $3,799 in Buenos Aires.

  • Algiers $1,354
  • Buenos Aires $3,799

Living in Algiers costs roughly 65% less than in Buenos Aires, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Algiers is 56% below, Buenos Aires is 26% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Algiers
Buenos Aires
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.45 DZD 461
$18.73 ARS 28.4K
-81.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$28.50 DZD 3,811
$64.5 ARS 97.7K
-55.80%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.28 DZD 572
$12.88 ARS 19.5K
-66.77%
Cappuccino
$1.11 DZD 149
$3.98 ARS 6,027
-72.11%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60 DZD 80.7
$2.05 ARS 3,102
-70.73%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27 DZD 35.79
$1.55 ARS 2,348
-82.58%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.23 DZD 298
$3.84 ARS 5,828
-41.93%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.20 DZD 295
$4.60 ARS 6,968
-52.17%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Algiers
Buenos Aires
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.90 DZD 121
$1.44 ARS 2,180
-37.50%
White Bread (500g)
$0.14 DZD 18.69
$2.46 ARS 3,737
-94.31%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.10 DZD 147
$1.63 ARS 2,466
-32.52%
Eggs
$1.26 DZD 168
$2.89 ARS 4,384
-56.40%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.99 DZD 1,069
$10.65 ARS 16.1K
-24.98%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.02 DZD 538
$10.00 ARS 15.2K
-59.80%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.57 DZD 1,949
$13.74 ARS 20.8K
6.04%
Apples (1kg)
$2.03 DZD 272
$2.75 ARS 4,165
-26.18%
Banana (1kg)
$2.70 DZD 361
$2.18 ARS 3,299
23.85%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.07 DZD 144
$1.45 ARS 2,204
-26.21%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.93 DZD 124
$1.99 ARS 3,012
-53.27%
Potato (1kg)
$0.58 DZD 77.4
$1.24 ARS 1,884
-53.23%
Onion (1kg)
$0.45 DZD 60.4
$1.27 ARS 1,920
-64.57%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.77 DZD 103
$1.70 ARS 2,574
-54.71%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.27 DZD 36.38
$1.73 ARS 2,616
-84.39%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.19 DZD 426
$4.18 ARS 6,335
-23.68%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.53 DZD 874
$5.80 ARS 8,787
12.59%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.28 DZD 171
$2.09 ARS 3,162
-38.76%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.88 DZD 252
$2.77 ARS 4,197
-32.13%
🚌 Getting Around
Algiers
Buenos Aires
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.36 DZD 48.47
$0.75 ARS 1,131
-52.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$6.75 DZD 902
$27.15 ARS 41.2K
-75.14%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.55 DZD 73.5
$1.62 ARS 2,450
-66.05%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.47 DZD 63.0
$0.98 ARS 1,480
-52.04%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.71 DZD 763
$7.72 ARS 11.7K
-26.04%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.36 DZD 47.67
$1.36 ARS 2,057
-73.53%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0K DZD 4.7M
$28.0K ARS 42.5M
24.95%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.9K DZD 4.5M
$34.5K ARS 52.3M
-1.82%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Algiers
Buenos Aires
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$43.39 DZD 5,803
$216 ARS 326.8K
-79.87%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.87 DZD 1,320
$25.61 ARS 38.8K
-61.46%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.32 DZD 1,648
$31.36 ARS 47.5K
-60.71%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Algiers
Buenos Aires
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$24.45 DZD 3,270
$49.82 ARS 75.5K
-50.92%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$27.00 DZD 3,612
$17.06 ARS 25.9K
58.26%
Cinema Ticket
$4.54 DZD 607
$10.43 ARS 15.8K
-56.47%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Algiers
Buenos Aires
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$547 DZD 73.1K
$466 ARS 706.5K
17.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,264 DZD 837.8K
$9,057 ARS 13.7M
-30.84%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Algiers
Buenos Aires
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$31.71 DZD 4,241
$122 ARS 185.1K
-74.03%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.33 DZD 4,725
$97.4 ARS 147.7K
-63.74%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$69.9 DZD 9,355
$117 ARS 177.3K
-40.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$79.2 DZD 10.6K
$140 ARS 211.8K
-43.32%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Algiers
Buenos Aires
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$163 DZD 21.8K
$763 ARS 1.2M
-78.68%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$130 DZD 17.4K
$505 ARS 765.8K
-74.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$440 DZD 58.8K
$1,598 ARS 2.4M
-72.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$244 DZD 32.6K
$1,185 ARS 1.8M
-79.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,547 DZD 340.6K
$2,678 ARS 4.1M
-4.91%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,373 DZD 183.6K
$1,858 ARS 2.8M
-26.11%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Algiers
Buenos Aires
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$330 DZD 44.1K
$954 ARS 1.4M
-65.44%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.3
57.25
-90.74%

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

Last update for Algiers: October 3, 2026

Last update for Buenos Aires: October 6, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Algiers
$175
Buenos Aires
$284 62.2% $109
Accommodation & Living
Algiers
$130
Buenos Aires
$505 288% $375
Clothing & Footwear
Algiers
$97
Buenos Aires
$214 120% $117
Eating Out
Algiers
$73
Buenos Aires
$279 283% $206
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Algiers
$66
Buenos Aires
$273 316% $207
Sport & Entertainment
Algiers
$34
Buenos Aires
$71 111% $37
Getting Around
Algiers
$11
Buenos Aires
$37 230% $26

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $163 in Algiers and $763 in Buenos Aires. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Buenos Aires pays 189% 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: $28.00 in Algiers vs $64.0 in Buenos Aires for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $175 vs $284 per month, with Algiers cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇩🇿 Algiers
🇦🇷 Buenos Aires
🕒 Local time
01:27 1:27 AM
21:27 9:27 PM
4 h behind Algiers
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
3,415,811 Capital
2,891,082 Capital
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

ARS, USD, EUR to DZD – Algerian Dinar Converter

Algerian Dinar exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 134 DZD (1,000 DZD = 7.48 USD). 1 EUR = 150 DZD (1,000 DZD = 6.67 EUR).

Argentine Peso exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 1,516 ARS (10,000 ARS = 6.6 USD). 1 EUR = 1,700 ARS (10,000 ARS = 5.88 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Algiers Buenos Aires 10,170 km ≈ 13 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Algiers
  • Buenos Aires

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Buenos Aires: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buenos Aires cheaper than Algiers?
Algiers is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, clothing, and eating out. The 184% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Algiers or Buenos Aires?
On paper, salaries run 189% lower in Buenos Aires. 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 Buenos Aires?
Rent for a central apartment: $163 in Algiers versus $763 in Buenos Aires. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Algiers or in Buenos Aires?
Dining out is cheaper in Algiers – a meal for two runs $28.00 versus $64.0 in Buenos Aires. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Algiers and in Buenos Aires?
All in, you'll spend $594 per month in Algiers versus $1,685 in Buenos Aires – a 184% 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 Buenos Aires?
At $594 in Algiers versus $1,685 in Buenos Aires, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Algiers but tight or insufficient in Buenos Aires. The gap between the two cities makes Algiers the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Algiers or Buenos Aires more family-friendly?
For families, Algiers is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Buenos Aires, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Algiers or Buenos Aires?
Safety-wise, Algiers and Buenos Aires 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 184% less than in Buenos Aires. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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