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: $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: Algiers 50% lower, Medellin 25% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.21 DZD 425
$5.91 COP 18.9K
-45.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.67 DZD 3,132
$32.96 COP 105.2K
-28.19%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.76 DZD 631
$7.43 COP 23.7K
-35.94%
Cappuccino
$0.99 DZD 131
$1.65 COP 5,276
-40.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.62 DZD 81.9
$1.10 COP 3,514
-43.64%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23 DZD 30.49
$0.78 COP 2,491
-70.51%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.99 DZD 263
$1.72 COP 5,484
15.70%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.36 DZD 312
$3.18 COP 10.1K
-25.79%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 DZD 138
$1.10 COP 3,521
-5.45%
White Bread (500g)
$0.13 DZD 17.75
$1.26 COP 4,015
-89.68%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.76 DZD 234
$1.38 COP 4,407
27.54%
Eggs
$1.85 DZD 245
$2.18 COP 6,950
-15.14%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.94 DZD 1,184
$4.49 COP 14.3K
99.11%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.46 DZD 723
$5.79 COP 18.5K
-5.70%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.69 DZD 2,209
$8.97 COP 28.6K
86.06%
Apples (1kg)
$3.20 DZD 424
$2.32 COP 7,405
37.93%
Banana (1kg)
$2.84 DZD 376
$1.06 COP 3,397
167.92%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.77 DZD 235
$1.52 COP 4,838
16.45%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.85 DZD 112
$1.36 COP 4,327
-37.50%
Potato (1kg)
$0.60 DZD 78.8
$1.13 COP 3,599
-46.90%
Onion (1kg)
$0.49 DZD 65.5
$1.17 COP 3,738
-58.12%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.67 DZD 88.7
$0.90 COP 2,876
-25.56%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.28 DZD 36.89
$0.90 COP 2,861
-68.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.79 DZD 369
$2.23 COP 7,128
25.11%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.78 DZD 897
$12.12 COP 38.7K
-44.06%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.30 DZD 173
$1.19 COP 3,793
9.24%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11 DZD 279
$2.48 COP 7,920
-14.92%
🚌 Getting Around
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.34 DZD 44.42
$0.85 COP 2,723
-60.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$11.76 DZD 1,556
$41.62 COP 132.8K
-71.74%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.70 DZD 92.6
$1.42 COP 4,518
-50.70%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.34 DZD 44.45
$1.95 COP 6,223
-82.56%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.43 DZD 719
$7.89 COP 25.2K
-31.18%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.36 DZD 47.76
$0.99 COP 3,160
-63.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.4K DZD 4.8M
$17.6K COP 56.2M
106.65%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.5K DZD 4.4M
$26.8K COP 85.5M
25.00%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$40.96 DZD 5,422
$83.0 COP 264.9K
-50.66%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.37 DZD 1,241
$9.70 COP 30.9K
-3.40%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.07 DZD 2,392
$23.52 COP 75.0K
-23.17%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$25.13 DZD 3,326
$25.26 COP 80.6K
-0.51%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.42 DZD 2,968
$19.10 COP 60.9K
17.38%
Cinema Ticket
$6.19 DZD 819
$3.95 COP 12.6K
56.71%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$93.1 DZD 12.3K
$316 COP 1.0M
-70.51%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,574 DZD 473.0K
$5,975 COP 19.1M
-40.18%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.20 DZD 4,792
$60.0 COP 191.4K
-39.67%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.40 DZD 6,008
$31.82 COP 101.5K
42.68%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$74.6 DZD 9,873
$102 COP 324.4K
-26.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.3 DZD 10.4K
$107 COP 342.8K
-27.10%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$227 DZD 30.0K
$475 COP 1.5M
-52.30%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$150 DZD 19.9K
$374 COP 1.2M
-59.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$445 DZD 58.9K
$849 COP 2.7M
-47.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$263 DZD 34.9K
$719 COP 2.3M
-63.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,554 DZD 338.0K
$3,265 COP 10.4M
-21.79%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,377 DZD 182.2K
$1,441 COP 4.6M
-4.42%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Algiers
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$340 DZD 45.0K
$624 COP 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.

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