πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Medellin vs $625 in Ain Beida, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $985 in Ain Beida, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,188 per month in Medellin vs $1,345 in Ain Beida, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 63% more than Ain Beida, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and Ain Beida are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Ain Beida54% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Ain Beida
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$3.14DZDΒ 416
89.49%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$23.39DZDΒ 3,101
42.50%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$3.95DZDΒ 523
83.04%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$0.74DZDΒ 97.8
120.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.56DZDΒ 74.8
94.64%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.23DZDΒ 30.60
217.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$2.00DZDΒ 265
-13.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$2.32DZDΒ 307
39.22%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Ain Beida
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.00DZDΒ 132
5.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.13DZDΒ 17.70
892.31%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$2.02DZDΒ 268
-34.65%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$2.21DZDΒ 292
2.71%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$13.66DZDΒ 1,810
-68.16%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$4.72DZDΒ 626
24.58%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$16.00DZDΒ 2,121
-46.19%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$3.20DZDΒ 425
-29.69%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$2.93DZDΒ 388
-63.48%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.69DZDΒ 225
-10.06%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$0.73DZDΒ 97.2
94.52%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.58DZDΒ 77.4
101.72%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.50DZDΒ 66.4
134.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.60DZDΒ 80.1
48.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.28DZDΒ 36.86
221.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$2.77DZDΒ 367
-18.77%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$7.15DZDΒ 947
54.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.29DZDΒ 172
-11.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.09DZDΒ 277
13.88%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Ain Beida
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.23DZDΒ 30.47
265.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$17.60DZDΒ 2,333
138.35%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$0.65DZDΒ 85.9
116.92%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.33DZDΒ 44.16
475.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$5.43DZDΒ 720
42.73%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$0.36DZDΒ 47.76
180.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$32.2KDZDΒ 4.3M
-45.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$33.4KDZDΒ 4.4M
-20.61%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Ain Beida
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$40.26DZDΒ 5,336
107.85%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$9.37DZDΒ 1,242
0.85%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$17.05DZDΒ 2,260
41.41%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Ain Beida
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$23.07DZDΒ 3,057
9.71%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$5.30DZDΒ 702
-22.64%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Ain Beida
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$92.5DZDΒ 12.3K
237.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$3,584DZDΒ 475.0K
67.24%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Ain Beida
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$36.82DZDΒ 4,880
57.63%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$45.34DZDΒ 6,009
-28.19%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$76.0DZDΒ 10.1K
31.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$78.2DZDΒ 10.4K
38.80%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Ain Beida
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$196DZDΒ 26.0K
146.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$114DZDΒ 15.0K
234.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$272DZDΒ 36.0K
207.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$184DZDΒ 24.4K
292.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$1,112DZDΒ 147.4K
155.40%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$1,124DZDΒ 148.9K
8.85%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Ain Beida
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
$320DZDΒ 42.4K
69.00%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.43
5.42
147.79%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Medellin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Ain Beida: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Medellin versus $196 in Ain Beida. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 69% higher in Medellin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $23.00 in Ain Beida. Groceries tell a different story β $190 in Medellin vs $218 in Ain Beida β so Medellin wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Medellin vs Ain Beida: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Medellin and Ain Beida compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,017 in Medellin, $625 in Ain Beida β roughly 63% apart. Medellin costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Medellin compared to Ain Beida?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,525 per month in Medellin and $937 in Ain Beida. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Medellin and Ain Beida?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ain Beida, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Medellin or Ain Beida?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,017 in Medellin and $625 in Ain Beida. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do commuting costs compare in Medellin and Ain Beida?
Public transport costs about 138% less in Ain Beida. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Ain Beida, where all-in costs run around $625, than in Medellin at $1,017. In Ain Beida it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Medellin and Ain Beida?
It depends on your priorities. Medellin has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $625 in Ain Beida to $1,017 in Medellin. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Medellin or Ain Beida safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Medellin and Ain Beida?
If budget matters most, go with Ain Beida. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Medellin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.