Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Chlef

For one person, living is cheaper in Chlef: $450 a month against $1,589 in Medellin, rent and utilities included – about $13,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,589
/mo nomad
Chlef
🇩🇿 Algeria
$450
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Chlef

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Medellin and in Chlef actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,589 per month in Medellin vs $450 in Chlef, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,589
  • Chlef $450

A couple spends around $2,364 per month in Medellin vs $709 in Chlef, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,364
  • Chlef $709

A family of three spends $3,139 per month in Medellin vs $968 in Chlef, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,139
  • Chlef $968

Medellin costs about 253% more than Chlef, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Medellin sits 19% above the global median, while Chlef is 66% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Chlef
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.01 COP 25.6K
$1.62 DZD 217
394.44%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.55 COP 148.7K
$28.27 DZD 3,789
64.66%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.43 COP 30.1K
$1.82 DZD 244
418.13%
Cappuccino
$2.91 COP 9,300
$0.90 DZD 121
223.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 COP 5,599
$0.48 DZD 63.8
264.58%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.32 COP 4,229
$0.23 DZD 30.63
473.91%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.13 COP 9,993
$1.09 DZD 145
187.16%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.55 COP 17.7K
$2.24 DZD 300
147.77%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Chlef
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.41 COP 4,506
$0.50 DZD 67.2
182.00%
White Bread (500g)
$2.44 COP 7,796
$0.13 DZD 17.14
1776.92%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.63 COP 5,204
$1.12 DZD 150
45.54%
Eggs
$2.82 COP 9,012
$1.37 DZD 183
105.84%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.69 COP 31.0K
$3.01 DZD 403
221.93%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.32 COP 29.8K
$4.06 DZD 544
129.56%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.46 COP 43.0K
$10.44 DZD 1,400
28.93%
Apples (1kg)
$4.00 COP 12.8K
$2.05 DZD 275
95.12%
Banana (1kg)
$1.48 COP 4,730
$2.86 DZD 383
-48.25%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.12 COP 6,785
$1.08 DZD 144
96.30%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.25 COP 7,196
$0.28 DZD 37.48
703.57%
Potato (1kg)
$1.91 COP 6,107
$0.34 DZD 44.98
461.76%
Onion (1kg)
$1.62 COP 5,173
$0.47 DZD 62.4
244.68%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.15 COP 3,667
$0.62 DZD 83.7
85.48%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.26 COP 4,031
$0.25 DZD 33.35
404.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.82 COP 12.2K
$2.40 DZD 322
59.17%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.11 COP 41.9K
$6.76 DZD 906
93.93%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.60 COP 5,096
$1.02 DZD 137
56.86%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26 COP 7,206
$1.98 DZD 265
14.14%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Chlef
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.17 COP 3,740
$0.15 DZD 19.88
680.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$75.0 COP 239.6K
$6.79 DZD 910
1004.86%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.27 COP 4,066
$0.55 DZD 74.0
130.91%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.05 COP 6,548
$0.48 DZD 64.0
327.08%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.20 COP 26.2K
$4.05 DZD 542
102.47%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.27 COP 4,056
$0.34 DZD 45.59
273.53%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.8K COP 85.5M
$32.3K DZD 4.3M
-17.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.4K COP 109.9M
$34.4K DZD 4.6M
-0.11%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Chlef
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$162 COP 518.2K
$33.35 DZD 4,469
386.39%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.12 COP 41.9K
$10.61 DZD 1,422
23.66%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.09 COP 89.7K
$12.69 DZD 1,701
121.36%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Chlef
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$44.33 COP 141.6K
$10.96 DZD 1,468
304.47%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.33 COP 52.2K
$14.91 DZD 1,998
9.52%
Cinema Ticket
$6.09 COP 19.4K
$2.51 DZD 337
142.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Chlef
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$764 COP 2.4M
$70.3 DZD 9,424
986.93%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,904 COP 28.4M
$1,443 DZD 193.4K
516.88%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Chlef
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$85.0 COP 271.4K
$10.75 DZD 1,440
690.42%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$57.5 COP 183.6K
$34.81 DZD 4,665
65.15%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$132 COP 420.9K
$70.4 DZD 9,437
87.11%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$95.8 COP 305.9K
$43.05 DZD 5,770
122.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Chlef
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,028 COP 3.3M
$169 DZD 22.6K
508.70%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$604 COP 1.9M
$117 DZD 15.7K
417.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,802 COP 5.8M
$167 DZD 22.4K
978.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$993 COP 3.2M
$113 DZD 15.1K
779.34%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,921 COP 12.5M
$974 DZD 130.5K
302.69%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,639 COP 5.2M
$1,048 DZD 140.4K
56.35%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Chlef
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$626 COP 2.0M
$455 DZD 61.0K
37.49%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
5
118.80%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Medellin: October 6, 2026

Last update for Chlef: October 5, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$604
Chlef
$117 80.7% $488
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$288
Chlef
$140 51.5% $148
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$203
Chlef
$57 72.2% $147
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$166
Chlef
$72 57% $95
Eating Out
Medellin
$166
Chlef
$42 74.8% $124
Getting Around
Medellin
$91
Chlef
$10 88.7% $81
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$57
Chlef
$16 71.7% $41

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,028 in Medellin versus $169 in Chlef. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 37% higher in Medellin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47.00 in Medellin versus $28.00 in Chlef. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $288 vs $140 – making Chlef the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇩🇿 Chlef
🕒 Local time
04:34 4:34 AM
10:34 10:34 AM
6 h ahead of Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
178,616
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

DZD, USD, EUR to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of October 13, 2026: 1 USD = 3,194 COP (10,000 COP = 3.13 USD). 1 EUR = 3,566 COP (10,000 COP = 2.8 EUR).

Algerian Dinar exchange rates as of October 13, 2026: 1 USD = 134 DZD (1,000 DZD = 7.46 USD). 1 EUR = 150 DZD (1,000 DZD = 6.68 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Chlef 8,420 km ≈ 11 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Chlef

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Chlef: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chlef cheaper than Medellin?
Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 253%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,384 per month in Medellin and $675 in Chlef. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chlef, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $764 per month in Medellin and $70.3 in Chlef. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Medellin and in Chlef?
Groceries cost about 106% more in Medellin, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Chlef?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Chlef, where all-in costs run around $450, than in Medellin at $1,589. In Chlef it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Chlef more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Chlef – 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 Chlef?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Chlef. 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.

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