🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $666 in Algiers versus $1,003 in Medellin.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,054 in Algiers versus $1,573 in Medellin.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,441 in Algiers versus $2,143 in Medellin.
🌍Living in Algiers costs roughly 34% less than in Medellin, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Algiers50% lower, Medellin25% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.21DZD 425
$5.91COP 18.9K
-45.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.67DZD 3,132
$32.96COP 105.2K
-28.19%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.76DZD 631
$7.43COP 23.7K
-35.94%
Cappuccino
$0.99DZD 131
$1.65COP 5,276
-40.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.62DZD 81.9
$1.10COP 3,514
-43.64%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23DZD 30.49
$0.78COP 2,491
-70.51%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.99DZD 263
$1.72COP 5,484
15.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.36DZD 312
$3.18COP 10.1K
-25.79%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.04DZD 138
$1.10COP 3,521
-5.45%
White Bread(500g)
$0.13DZD 17.75
$1.26COP 4,015
-89.68%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.76DZD 234
$1.38COP 4,407
27.54%
Eggs
$1.85DZD 245
$2.18COP 6,950
-15.14%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.94DZD 1,184
$4.49COP 14.3K
99.11%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.46DZD 723
$5.79COP 18.5K
-5.70%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.69DZD 2,209
$8.97COP 28.6K
86.06%
Apples(1kg)
$3.20DZD 424
$2.32COP 7,405
37.93%
Banana(1kg)
$2.84DZD 376
$1.06COP 3,397
167.92%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.77DZD 235
$1.52COP 4,838
16.45%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.85DZD 112
$1.36COP 4,327
-37.50%
Potato(1kg)
$0.60DZD 78.8
$1.13COP 3,599
-46.90%
Onion(1kg)
$0.49DZD 65.5
$1.17COP 3,738
-58.12%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67DZD 88.7
$0.90COP 2,876
-25.56%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.28DZD 36.89
$0.90COP 2,861
-68.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.79DZD 369
$2.23COP 7,128
25.11%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.78DZD 897
$12.12COP 38.7K
-44.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.30DZD 173
$1.19COP 3,793
9.24%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11DZD 279
$2.48COP 7,920
-14.92%
🚌 Getting Around
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.34DZD 44.42
$0.85COP 2,723
-60.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$11.76DZD 1,556
$41.62COP 132.8K
-71.74%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.70DZD 92.6
$1.42COP 4,518
-50.70%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.34DZD 44.45
$1.95COP 6,223
-82.56%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.43DZD 719
$7.89COP 25.2K
-31.18%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.36DZD 47.76
$0.99COP 3,160
-63.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.4KDZD 4.8M
$17.6KCOP 56.2M
106.65%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.5KDZD 4.4M
$26.8KCOP 85.5M
25.00%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.96DZD 5,422
$83.0COP 264.9K
-50.66%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.37DZD 1,241
$9.70COP 30.9K
-3.40%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.07DZD 2,392
$23.52COP 75.0K
-23.17%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.13DZD 3,326
$25.26COP 80.6K
-0.51%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.42DZD 2,968
$19.10COP 60.9K
17.38%
Cinema Ticket
$6.19DZD 819
$3.95COP 12.6K
56.71%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$93.1DZD 12.3K
$316COP 1.0M
-70.51%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,574DZD 473.0K
$5,975COP 19.1M
-40.18%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.20DZD 4,792
$60.0COP 191.4K
-39.67%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.40DZD 6,008
$31.82COP 101.5K
42.68%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$74.6DZD 9,873
$102COP 324.4K
-26.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.3DZD 10.4K
$107COP 342.8K
-27.10%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$227DZD 30.0K
$475COP 1.5M
-52.30%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$150DZD 19.9K
$374COP 1.2M
-59.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$445DZD 58.9K
$849COP 2.7M
-47.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$263DZD 34.9K
$719COP 2.3M
-63.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,554DZD 338.0K
$3,265COP 10.4M
-21.79%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,377DZD 182.2K
$1,441COP 4.6M
-4.42%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$340DZD 45.0K
$624COP 2.0M
-45.58%
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: July 26, 2026
Last update for Medellin: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $227 in Algiers and $475 in Medellin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Medellin pays 84% 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 $193, 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 51% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Algiers or Medellin?
On paper, salaries run 84% lower in Medellin. 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: $227 in Algiers versus $475 in Medellin. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Algiers or in 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 and in Medellin?
All in, you'll spend $666 per month in Algiers versus $1,003 in Medellin – a 51% 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 Medellin?
At $666 in Algiers versus $1,003 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 51% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.