Cost of Living Comparison Between Algiers and Medellin Cost of Living Comparison Between Algiers and Medellin

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $642 in Algiers versus $1,017 in Medellin.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,053 in Algiers versus $1,602 in Medellin.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,464 in Algiers versus $2,188 in Medellin.

Living in Algiers costs roughly 37% less than in Medellin, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Algiers 52% lower, Medellin 24% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.16 DZD 419
$5.95 COP 20.8K
-46.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.14 DZD 3,199
$33.33 COP 116.3K
-27.57%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.60 DZD 609
$7.23 COP 25.2K
-36.38%
Cappuccino
$1.02 DZD 135
$1.63 COP 5,687
-37.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.56 DZD 74.3
$1.09 COP 3,821
-48.62%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21 DZD 27.83
$0.73 COP 2,548
-71.23%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.89 DZD 251
$1.74 COP 6,065
8.62%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.32 DZD 308
$3.23 COP 11.3K
-28.17%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.01 DZD 134
$1.05 COP 3,662
-3.81%
White Bread (500g)
$0.16 DZD 20.57
$1.29 COP 4,515
-87.60%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.82 DZD 242
$1.32 COP 4,617
37.88%
Eggs
$1.88 DZD 249
$2.27 COP 7,927
-17.18%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.04 DZD 1,198
$4.35 COP 15.2K
107.82%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.44 DZD 721
$5.88 COP 20.5K
-7.48%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.66 DZD 2,208
$8.61 COP 30.0K
93.50%
Apples (1kg)
$3.05 DZD 405
$2.25 COP 7,844
35.56%
Banana (1kg)
$2.80 DZD 372
$1.07 COP 3,733
161.68%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.72 DZD 228
$1.52 COP 5,322
13.16%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.86 DZD 113
$1.42 COP 4,964
-39.44%
Potato (1kg)
$0.65 DZD 85.9
$1.17 COP 4,084
-44.44%
Onion (1kg)
$0.50 DZD 66.3
$1.17 COP 4,077
-57.26%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.72 DZD 96.0
$0.89 COP 3,096
-19.10%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.30 DZD 39.92
$0.90 COP 3,146
-66.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.74 DZD 363
$2.25 COP 7,837
21.78%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.97 DZD 924
$11.04 COP 38.5K
-36.87%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.28 DZD 170
$1.14 COP 3,977
12.28%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06 DZD 273
$2.38 COP 8,301
-13.45%
🚌 Getting Around
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.33 DZD 44.01
$0.84 COP 2,916
-60.71%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$11.43 DZD 1,515
$41.95 COP 146.4K
-72.75%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.71 DZD 93.7
$1.41 COP 4,912
-49.65%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.37 DZD 48.65
$1.90 COP 6,634
-80.53%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.71 DZD 757
$7.75 COP 27.0K
-26.32%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.37 DZD 48.57
$1.01 COP 3,509
-63.37%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.8K DZD 4.8M
$17.6K COP 61.4M
103.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.3K DZD 4.5M
$26.5K COP 92.5M
29.46%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$40.89 DZD 5,419
$83.7 COP 292.1K
-51.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.44 DZD 1,251
$9.45 COP 33.0K
-0.11%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.72 DZD 2,348
$24.11 COP 84.1K
-26.50%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$25.17 DZD 3,336
$25.31 COP 88.3K
-0.55%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.53 DZD 2,986
$19.14 COP 66.8K
17.71%
Cinema Ticket
$6.01 DZD 796
$4.10 COP 14.3K
46.59%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$94.8 DZD 12.6K
$312 COP 1.1M
-69.62%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,578 DZD 474.3K
$5,993 COP 20.9M
-40.29%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.90 DZD 4,890
$58.0 COP 202.6K
-36.42%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.06 DZD 5,973
$32.56 COP 113.6K
38.39%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$74.5 DZD 9,867
$99.6 COP 347.7K
-25.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$75.6 DZD 10.0K
$109 COP 378.8K
-30.36%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$222 DZD 29.5K
$482 COP 1.7M
-53.89%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$150 DZD 19.9K
$379 COP 1.3M
-60.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$440 DZD 58.3K
$837 COP 2.9M
-47.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$266 DZD 35.2K
$723 COP 2.5M
-63.27%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,584 DZD 342.4K
$2,840 COP 9.9M
-9.02%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,410 DZD 186.9K
$1,223 COP 4.3M
15.32%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$340 DZD 45.1K
$541 COP 1.9M
-37.14%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.42
13.43
-59.64%

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

Last update for Algiers: June 7, 2026

Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $222 in Algiers and $482 in Medellin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Medellin pays 59% 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: $24.00 in Algiers vs $33.00 in Medellin. Groceries flip the comparison at $208 vs $190, with Medellin cheaper for home cooking.

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 Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Medellin cheaper than Algiers?
Algiers is cheaper overall, especially in Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 58% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Algiers or Medellin?
On paper, Medellin earns 59% less. 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 Medellin?
Rent for a central apartment: $222 in Algiers versus $482 in Medellin. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Algiers or Medellin?
Dining out is cheaper in Algiers – a meal for two runs $24.00 versus $33.00 in Medellin. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Algiers vs Medellin?
All in, you'll spend $642 per month in Algiers versus $1,017 in Medellin – a 58% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Algiers or Medellin?
At $642 in Algiers versus $1,017 in Medellin, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Algiers but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Algiers the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Algiers or Medellin more family-friendly?
For families, Algiers is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Medellin, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Algiers or Medellin?
Safety-wise, Algiers and Medellin 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 58% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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