😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,337 in Barcelona versus $642 in Algiers.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,468 in Barcelona versus $1,053 in Algiers.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,599 in Barcelona versus $1,464 in Algiers.
😐Living in Barcelona is roughly 264% more expensive than Algiers, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Barcelona is 74% above, Algiers is 52% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Barcelona
Algiers
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.08€14.72
$3.16DZD 419
440.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.2€59.7
$24.14DZD 3,199
186.83%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.78€11.87
$4.60DZD 609
199.57%
Cappuccino
$2.76€2.37
$1.02DZD 135
170.59%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.79€2.40
$0.56DZD 74.3
398.21%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99€1.72
$0.21DZD 27.83
847.62%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.36€3.76
$1.89DZD 251
130.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.74€4.09
$2.32DZD 308
104.31%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Barcelona
Algiers
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.29€1.11
$1.01DZD 134
27.72%
White Bread(500g)
$2.05€1.77
$0.16DZD 20.57
1181.25%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.99€1.71
$1.82DZD 242
9.34%
Eggs
$3.39€2.92
$1.88DZD 249
80.32%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.81€16.21
$9.04DZD 1,198
108.08%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.36€8.07
$5.44DZD 721
72.06%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.12€16.48
$16.66DZD 2,208
14.77%
Apples(1kg)
$2.70€2.32
$3.05DZD 405
-11.48%
Banana(1kg)
$2.34€2.02
$2.80DZD 372
-16.43%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.12€1.83
$1.72DZD 228
23.26%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.85€2.46
$0.86DZD 113
231.40%
Potato(1kg)
$1.97€1.70
$0.65DZD 85.9
203.08%
Onion(1kg)
$1.80€1.55
$0.50DZD 66.3
260.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.45€1.25
$0.72DZD 96.0
101.39%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86€0.74
$0.30DZD 39.92
186.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.78€5.84
$2.74DZD 363
147.45%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.90€6.81
$6.97DZD 924
13.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.39€1.20
$1.28DZD 170
8.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37€2.04
$2.06DZD 273
15.05%
🚌 Getting Around
Barcelona
Algiers
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.92€2.52
$0.33DZD 44.01
784.85%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$28.69€24.72
$11.43DZD 1,515
151.01%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.46€3.84
$0.71DZD 93.7
528.17%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.05€1.77
$0.37DZD 48.65
454.05%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.55€25.46
$5.71DZD 757
417.51%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.82€1.56
$0.37DZD 48.57
391.89%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.8K€33.5K
$35.8KDZD 4.8M
8.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.1K€28.5K
$34.3KDZD 4.5M
-3.50%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Barcelona
Algiers
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$189€163
$40.89DZD 5,419
362.78%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.80€19.65
$9.44DZD 1,251
141.53%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.59€32.39
$17.72DZD 2,348
112.13%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Barcelona
Algiers
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$57.7€49.75
$25.17DZD 3,336
129.40%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.74€17.87
$22.53DZD 2,986
-7.94%
Cinema Ticket
$10.82€9.33
$6.01DZD 796
80.03%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Barcelona
Algiers
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$728€628
$94.8DZD 12.6K
668.57%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8K€12.7K
$3,578DZD 474.3K
312.82%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Barcelona
Algiers
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$88.6€76.4
$36.90DZD 4,890
140.19%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.85€31.75
$45.06DZD 5,973
-18.22%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102€87.9
$74.5DZD 9,867
37.07%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$116€100
$75.6DZD 10.0K
53.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Barcelona
Algiers
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,569€1,352
$222DZD 29.5K
605.54%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,218€1,050
$150DZD 19.9K
711.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,795€2,409
$440DZD 58.3K
535.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,975€1,702
$266DZD 35.2K
643.74%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,754€6,680
$2,584DZD 342.4K
200.09%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,176€4,460
$1,410DZD 186.9K
266.99%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Barcelona
Algiers
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,343€2,019
$340DZD 45.1K
589.23%
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: June 7, 2026
Last update for Algiers: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,569 in Barcelona and $222 in Algiers. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Barcelona pays 589% 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: $69.0 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 264% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Barcelona or Algiers?
Barcelona pays 589% more on average, 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: $1,569 in Barcelona versus $222 in Algiers. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Barcelona or Algiers?
Dining out is cheaper in Algiers – a meal for two runs $24.00 versus $69.0 in Barcelona. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Barcelona vs Algiers?
All in, you'll spend $2,337 per month in Barcelona versus $642 in Algiers – a 264% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Barcelona or Algiers?
At $642 in Algiers versus $2,337 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 264% less than in Barcelona. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.