😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,359 in Barcelona versus $666 in Algiers.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,498 in Barcelona versus $1,054 in Algiers.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,638 in Barcelona versus $1,441 in Algiers.
🌍Living in Barcelona is roughly 254% more expensive than in Algiers, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Barcelona is 77% above, Algiers is 50% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Barcelona
Algiers
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.15€14.96
$3.21DZD 425
434.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.1€59.3
$23.67DZD 3,132
187.54%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.64€11.89
$4.76DZD 631
186.55%
Cappuccino
$2.78€2.42
$0.99DZD 131
180.81%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.82€2.46
$0.62DZD 81.9
354.84%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96€1.71
$0.23DZD 30.49
752.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.43€3.86
$1.99DZD 263
122.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.61€4.01
$2.36DZD 312
95.34%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Barcelona
Algiers
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.27€1.11
$1.04DZD 138
22.12%
White Bread(500g)
$2.13€1.86
$0.13DZD 17.75
1538.46%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.99€1.73
$1.76DZD 234
13.07%
Eggs
$3.37€2.93
$1.85DZD 245
82.16%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.96€16.53
$8.94DZD 1,184
112.08%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.53€8.31
$5.46DZD 723
74.54%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.73€16.33
$16.69DZD 2,209
12.22%
Apples(1kg)
$2.65€2.31
$3.20DZD 424
-17.19%
Banana(1kg)
$2.35€2.05
$2.84DZD 376
-17.25%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.09€1.82
$1.77DZD 235
18.08%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.73€2.38
$0.85DZD 112
221.18%
Potato(1kg)
$1.96€1.71
$0.60DZD 78.8
226.67%
Onion(1kg)
$1.81€1.58
$0.49DZD 65.5
269.39%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.51€1.32
$0.67DZD 88.7
125.37%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.89€0.78
$0.28DZD 36.89
217.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.78€5.91
$2.79DZD 369
143.01%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.92€6.90
$6.78DZD 897
16.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37€1.19
$1.30DZD 173
5.38%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.40€2.09
$2.11DZD 279
13.74%
🚌 Getting Around
Barcelona
Algiers
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.91€2.54
$0.34DZD 44.42
755.88%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$28.66€24.98
$11.76DZD 1,556
143.71%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.58€3.99
$0.70DZD 92.6
554.29%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.04€1.78
$0.34DZD 44.45
500.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$28.72€25.03
$5.43DZD 719
428.91%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.82€1.59
$0.36DZD 47.76
405.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.3K€34.3K
$36.4KDZD 4.8M
8.09%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.5K€28.3K
$33.5KDZD 4.4M
-3.05%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barcelona
Algiers
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$187€163
$40.96DZD 5,422
355.64%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.29€19.43
$9.37DZD 1,241
137.89%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.37€31.71
$18.07DZD 2,392
101.27%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Barcelona
Algiers
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$57.5€50.2
$25.13DZD 3,326
128.93%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.74€18.08
$22.42DZD 2,968
-7.49%
Cinema Ticket
$10.77€9.39
$6.19DZD 819
73.99%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Barcelona
Algiers
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$725€632
$93.1DZD 12.3K
678.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.2K€13.2K
$3,574DZD 473.0K
323.92%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Barcelona
Algiers
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$87.9€76.6
$36.20DZD 4,792
142.71%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.81€32.09
$45.40DZD 6,008
-18.92%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103€90.2
$74.6DZD 9,873
38.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119€103
$78.3DZD 10.4K
51.36%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Barcelona
Algiers
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,524€1,328
$227DZD 30.0K
572.57%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,227€1,070
$150DZD 19.9K
715.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,727€2,378
$445DZD 58.9K
513.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,984€1,730
$263DZD 34.9K
653.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,469€6,511
$2,554DZD 338.0K
192.46%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,243€4,571
$1,377DZD 182.2K
280.80%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Barcelona
Algiers
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,393€2,086
$340DZD 45.0K
604.04%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.39
5.42
-37.45%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Barcelona: July 27, 2026
Last update for Algiers: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,524 in Barcelona and $227 in Algiers. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Barcelona pays 604% 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: $68.0 in Barcelona vs $24.00 in Algiers for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $319 vs $208 per month, with Algiers cheaper across the board.
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
Barcelona vs Algiers: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Algiers cheaper than Barcelona?
Algiers is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 254% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Barcelona or Algiers?
Average pay runs 604% higher in Barcelona, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Barcelona and Algiers?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,524 in Barcelona versus $227 in Algiers. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Barcelona or in Algiers?
Dining out is cheaper in Algiers – a meal for two runs $24.00 versus $68.0 in Barcelona. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Barcelona and in Algiers?
All in, you'll spend $2,359 per month in Barcelona versus $666 in Algiers – a 254% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Barcelona or in Algiers?
At $666 in Algiers versus $2,359 in Barcelona, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Algiers but tight or insufficient in Barcelona. The gap between the two cities makes Algiers the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Barcelona or Algiers more family-friendly?
For families, Algiers is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Barcelona, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Barcelona or Algiers?
Safety-wise, Barcelona and Algiers 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 254% less than in Barcelona. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.