🙂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: Algiers52% lower, Medellin24% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.16DZD 419
$5.95COP 20.8K
-46.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.14DZD 3,199
$33.33COP 116.3K
-27.57%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.60DZD 609
$7.23COP 25.2K
-36.38%
Cappuccino
$1.02DZD 135
$1.63COP 5,687
-37.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.56DZD 74.3
$1.09COP 3,821
-48.62%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21DZD 27.83
$0.73COP 2,548
-71.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.89DZD 251
$1.74COP 6,065
8.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.32DZD 308
$3.23COP 11.3K
-28.17%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.01DZD 134
$1.05COP 3,662
-3.81%
White Bread(500g)
$0.16DZD 20.57
$1.29COP 4,515
-87.60%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.82DZD 242
$1.32COP 4,617
37.88%
Eggs
$1.88DZD 249
$2.27COP 7,927
-17.18%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.04DZD 1,198
$4.35COP 15.2K
107.82%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.44DZD 721
$5.88COP 20.5K
-7.48%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.66DZD 2,208
$8.61COP 30.0K
93.50%
Apples(1kg)
$3.05DZD 405
$2.25COP 7,844
35.56%
Banana(1kg)
$2.80DZD 372
$1.07COP 3,733
161.68%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.72DZD 228
$1.52COP 5,322
13.16%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.86DZD 113
$1.42COP 4,964
-39.44%
Potato(1kg)
$0.65DZD 85.9
$1.17COP 4,084
-44.44%
Onion(1kg)
$0.50DZD 66.3
$1.17COP 4,077
-57.26%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.72DZD 96.0
$0.89COP 3,096
-19.10%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.30DZD 39.92
$0.90COP 3,146
-66.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.74DZD 363
$2.25COP 7,837
21.78%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.97DZD 924
$11.04COP 38.5K
-36.87%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.28DZD 170
$1.14COP 3,977
12.28%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06DZD 273
$2.38COP 8,301
-13.45%
🚌 Getting Around
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.33DZD 44.01
$0.84COP 2,916
-60.71%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$11.43DZD 1,515
$41.95COP 146.4K
-72.75%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.71DZD 93.7
$1.41COP 4,912
-49.65%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.37DZD 48.65
$1.90COP 6,634
-80.53%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.71DZD 757
$7.75COP 27.0K
-26.32%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.37DZD 48.57
$1.01COP 3,509
-63.37%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.8KDZD 4.8M
$17.6KCOP 61.4M
103.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.3KDZD 4.5M
$26.5KCOP 92.5M
29.46%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.89DZD 5,419
$83.7COP 292.1K
-51.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.44DZD 1,251
$9.45COP 33.0K
-0.11%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.72DZD 2,348
$24.11COP 84.1K
-26.50%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.17DZD 3,336
$25.31COP 88.3K
-0.55%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.53DZD 2,986
$19.14COP 66.8K
17.71%
Cinema Ticket
$6.01DZD 796
$4.10COP 14.3K
46.59%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$94.8DZD 12.6K
$312COP 1.1M
-69.62%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,578DZD 474.3K
$5,993COP 20.9M
-40.29%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.90DZD 4,890
$58.0COP 202.6K
-36.42%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.06DZD 5,973
$32.56COP 113.6K
38.39%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$74.5DZD 9,867
$99.6COP 347.7K
-25.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$75.6DZD 10.0K
$109COP 378.8K
-30.36%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$222DZD 29.5K
$482COP 1.7M
-53.89%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$150DZD 19.9K
$379COP 1.3M
-60.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$440DZD 58.3K
$837COP 2.9M
-47.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$266DZD 35.2K
$723COP 2.5M
-63.27%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,584DZD 342.4K
$2,840COP 9.9M
-9.02%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,410DZD 186.9K
$1,223COP 4.3M
15.32%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$340DZD 45.1K
$541COP 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.