πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Medellin vs $621 in Boumerdes, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Medellin vs $941 in Boumerdes, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,192 per month in Medellin vs $1,262 in Boumerdes, rent included.
πMedellin costs about 63% more than Boumerdes, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Medellin and Boumerdes are more affordable than the global median β Medellin24% lower, Boumerdes54% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
Boumerdes
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.99COPΒ 21.4K
$3.17DZDΒ 421
88.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.86COPΒ 117.2K
$23.82DZDΒ 3,162
37.95%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.09COPΒ 25.3K
$3.63DZDΒ 482
95.32%
Cappuccino
$1.71COPΒ 6,105
$0.52DZDΒ 69.6
228.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10COPΒ 3,918
$0.54DZDΒ 71.4
103.70%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78COPΒ 2,776
$0.21DZDΒ 27.83
271.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.68COPΒ 5,987
$1.92DZDΒ 254
-12.50%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07COPΒ 10.9K
$2.33DZDΒ 310
31.76%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Boumerdes
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09COPΒ 3,899
$1.03DZDΒ 137
5.83%
White Bread(500g)
$1.26COPΒ 4,500
$0.13DZDΒ 17.47
869.23%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,914
$1.73DZDΒ 230
-20.23%
Eggs
$2.19COPΒ 7,813
$1.40DZDΒ 186
56.43%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40COPΒ 15.7K
$9.12DZDΒ 1,210
-51.75%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63COPΒ 20.1K
$5.25DZDΒ 697
7.24%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89COPΒ 31.7K
$16.38DZDΒ 2,173
-45.73%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34COPΒ 8,334
$3.05DZDΒ 405
-23.28%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06COPΒ 3,771
$2.88DZDΒ 382
-63.19%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.50COPΒ 5,365
$1.70DZDΒ 225
-11.76%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38COPΒ 4,915
$0.54DZDΒ 72.1
155.56%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15COPΒ 4,104
$0.54DZDΒ 71.5
112.96%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16COPΒ 4,148
$0.46DZDΒ 61.0
152.17%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,176
$0.72DZDΒ 96.0
23.61%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84COPΒ 2,992
$0.27DZDΒ 35.32
211.11%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28COPΒ 8,131
$2.71DZDΒ 360
-15.87%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64COPΒ 37.9K
$6.92DZDΒ 918
53.76%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20COPΒ 4,276
$1.30DZDΒ 173
-7.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47COPΒ 8,809
$2.14DZDΒ 284
15.42%
π Getting Around
Medellin
Boumerdes
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86COPΒ 3,051
$0.31DZDΒ 41.60
177.42%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.40COPΒ 147.6K
$17.59DZDΒ 2,335
135.36%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47COPΒ 5,255
$0.69DZDΒ 91.9
113.04%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.96COPΒ 6,997
$0.33DZDΒ 44.25
493.94%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.74COPΒ 27.6K
$5.68DZDΒ 753
36.27%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95COPΒ 3,403
$0.37DZDΒ 48.50
156.76%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KCOPΒ 64.6M
$14.2KDZDΒ 1.9M
27.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 94.4M
$34.3KDZDΒ 4.5M
-22.69%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Boumerdes
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.3COPΒ 293.2K
$41.38DZDΒ 5,492
98.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.50COPΒ 33.9K
$9.18DZDΒ 1,218
3.49%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.23COPΒ 86.4K
$11.96DZDΒ 1,588
102.59%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Boumerdes
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.89COPΒ 92.3K
$23.48DZDΒ 3,117
10.26%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.00COPΒ 67.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.93COPΒ 14.0K
$2.02DZDΒ 268
94.55%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
Boumerdes
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309COPΒ 1.1M
$95.7DZDΒ 12.7K
223.28%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,965COPΒ 21.3M
$3,655DZDΒ 485.1K
63.20%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Boumerdes
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7COPΒ 209.1K
$11.78DZDΒ 1,564
397.96%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.35COPΒ 115.3K
$45.91DZDΒ 6,093
-29.54%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103COPΒ 365.7K
$74.7DZDΒ 9,911
37.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108COPΒ 386.5K
$75.7DZDΒ 10.1K
43.16%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Boumerdes
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$476COPΒ 1.7M
$195DZDΒ 25.9K
144.09%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.4M
$141DZDΒ 18.7K
168.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$838COPΒ 3.0M
$234DZDΒ 31.0K
258.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724COPΒ 2.6M
$169DZDΒ 22.4K
327.96%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,791COPΒ 9.9M
$1,146DZDΒ 152.0K
143.57%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,211COPΒ 4.3M
$1,122DZDΒ 148.9K
8.00%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Boumerdes
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$512COPΒ 1.8M
-
-
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: May 31, 2026
Last update for Boumerdes: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $476 in Medellin versus $195 in Boumerdes. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Medellin versus $24.00 in Boumerdes. Groceries tell a different story β $188 in Medellin vs $202 in Boumerdes 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 Boumerdes: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boumerdes cheaper than Medellin?
Yes β Medellin is pricier by about 63%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,519 per month in Medellin and $932 in Boumerdes. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Boumerdes, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and Boumerdes?
Interestingly, groceries are about 7% cheaper in Medellin β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Medellin or Boumerdes?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Boumerdes, where all-in costs run around $621, than in Medellin at $1,013. In Boumerdes it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Boumerdes more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Boumerdes β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Medellin or Boumerdes?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Boumerdes. 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.