πA single person spends $1,034 per month in Medellin vs $584 in Bejaia, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,577 per month in Medellin vs $880 in Bejaia, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,120 per month in Medellin vs $1,175 in Bejaia, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 77% more than Bejaia, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and Bejaia are more affordable than the global median β Medellin23% lower, Bejaia56% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Bejaia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.92COPΒ 21.4K
$2.42DZDΒ 320
144.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.75COPΒ 118.2K
$7.81DZDΒ 1,035
319.33%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20COPΒ 26.0K
$4.66DZDΒ 617
54.51%
Cappuccino
$1.70COPΒ 6,140
$0.23DZDΒ 30.43
639.13%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,966
$0.60DZDΒ 79.8
83.33%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72COPΒ 2,605
$0.23DZDΒ 30.59
213.04%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.67COPΒ 6,022
$1.92DZDΒ 255
-13.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10COPΒ 11.2K
$1.17DZDΒ 155
164.96%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Bejaia
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06COPΒ 3,809
$1.00DZDΒ 133
6.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25COPΒ 4,497
$0.16DZDΒ 20.97
681.25%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39COPΒ 5,022
$1.61DZDΒ 213
-13.66%
Eggs
$2.26COPΒ 8,168
$1.79DZDΒ 237
26.26%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.33COPΒ 15.6K
$6.13DZDΒ 813
-29.36%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84COPΒ 21.1K
$5.40DZDΒ 715
8.15%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.83COPΒ 31.9K
$16.31DZDΒ 2,161
-45.86%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24COPΒ 8,099
$3.05DZDΒ 404
-26.56%
Banana(1kg)
$1.08COPΒ 3,882
$1.86DZDΒ 246
-41.94%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53COPΒ 5,522
$1.78DZDΒ 236
-14.04%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.37COPΒ 4,950
$0.92DZDΒ 122
48.91%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13COPΒ 4,078
$0.59DZDΒ 78.1
91.53%
Onion(1kg)
$1.12COPΒ 4,036
$0.50DZDΒ 65.8
124.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85COPΒ 3,057
$0.67DZDΒ 89.4
26.87%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91COPΒ 3,281
$0.28DZDΒ 36.58
225.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33COPΒ 8,414
$2.68DZDΒ 356
-13.06%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.13COPΒ 40.2K
$6.84DZDΒ 906
62.72%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19COPΒ 4,309
$1.33DZDΒ 177
-10.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37COPΒ 8,553
$2.09DZDΒ 277
13.40%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Bejaia
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.79COPΒ 2,838
$0.18DZDΒ 23.32
338.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.13COPΒ 148.5K
$22.78DZDΒ 3,019
80.55%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.44COPΒ 5,184
$0.71DZDΒ 94.4
102.82%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.91COPΒ 6,901
$0.34DZDΒ 44.82
461.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.02COPΒ 28.9K
$3.86DZDΒ 511
107.77%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94COPΒ 3,385
$0.37DZDΒ 48.60
154.05%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KCOPΒ 64.7M
$35.1KDZDΒ 4.7M
-49.01%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KCOPΒ 96.7M
$33.4KDZDΒ 4.4M
-19.74%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Bejaia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0COPΒ 303.1K
$40.63DZDΒ 5,383
106.65%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.60COPΒ 34.7K
$9.63DZDΒ 1,276
-0.31%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.16COPΒ 87.2K
$17.62DZDΒ 2,335
37.12%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Bejaia
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.88COPΒ 93.4K
$20.96DZDΒ 2,777
23.47%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.04COPΒ 68.7K
$5.83DZDΒ 772
226.59%
Cinema Ticket
$3.92COPΒ 14.1K
$4.53DZDΒ 600
-13.47%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Bejaia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306COPΒ 1.1M
$93.6DZDΒ 12.4K
227.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,919COPΒ 21.4M
$2,380DZDΒ 315.4K
148.64%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Bejaia
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.9COPΒ 209.1K
$31.58DZDΒ 4,185
83.38%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.82COPΒ 114.9K
$45.65DZDΒ 6,048
-30.30%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9COPΒ 360.6K
$63.3DZDΒ 8,388
57.79%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107COPΒ 386.8K
$75.9DZDΒ 10.1K
41.23%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Bejaia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$487COPΒ 1.8M
$196DZDΒ 26.0K
148.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368COPΒ 1.3M
$115DZDΒ 15.2K
220.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826COPΒ 3.0M
$269DZDΒ 35.7K
206.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716COPΒ 2.6M
$180DZDΒ 23.8K
297.87%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,925COPΒ 10.6M
$4,679DZDΒ 620.0K
-37.49%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,407COPΒ 5.1M
$4,078DZDΒ 540.4K
-65.50%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Bejaia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$546COPΒ 2.0M
$327DZDΒ 43.3K
67.01%
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: April 27, 2026
Last update for Bejaia: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $487 in Medellin versus $196 in Bejaia. 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 67% 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 $8.00 in Bejaia. Groceries tell a different story β $190 in Medellin vs $191 in Bejaia 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 Bejaia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or Bejaia?
Medellin costs about 77% more than Bejaia, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Medellin vs Bejaia?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,550 per month in Medellin and $877 in Bejaia. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Medellin or Bejaia?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Bejaia, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How expensive is transport in Medellin vs Bejaia?
Public transport costs about 81% less in Bejaia. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Medellin and Bejaia?
Kindergarten costs $306 per month in Medellin and $93.6 in Bejaia. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Medellin or Bejaia?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Bejaia, where all-in costs run around $584, than in Medellin at $1,034. In Bejaia it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or Bejaia?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Bejaia costs $584 versus $1,034 in Medellin. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Medellin compared to Bejaia?
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.
Should I move to Medellin or Bejaia?
If budget matters most, go with Bejaia. 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.