πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,017 in Medellin versus $603 in El Bayadh.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,602 in Medellin versus $981 in El Bayadh.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,188 in Medellin versus $1,359 in El Bayadh.
πLiving in Medellin is roughly 69% more expensive than El Bayadh, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Medellin24% lower, El Bayadh55% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Medellin
El Bayadh
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.95COPΒ 20.8K
$3.27DZDΒ 434
81.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.33COPΒ 116.3K
$23.29DZDΒ 3,087
43.11%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.23COPΒ 25.2K
$3.82DZDΒ 507
89.27%
Cappuccino
$1.63COPΒ 5,687
$0.72DZDΒ 96.1
126.39%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09COPΒ 3,821
$0.57DZDΒ 75.5
91.23%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73COPΒ 2,548
$0.21DZDΒ 27.80
247.62%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74COPΒ 6,065
$1.97DZDΒ 261
-11.68%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23COPΒ 11.3K
$2.43DZDΒ 322
32.92%
π Groceries & Markets
Medellin
El Bayadh
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05COPΒ 3,662
$1.03DZDΒ 137
1.94%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29COPΒ 4,515
$0.13DZDΒ 16.93
892.31%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32COPΒ 4,617
$1.64DZDΒ 218
-19.51%
Eggs
$2.27COPΒ 7,927
$1.87DZDΒ 247
21.39%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.35COPΒ 15.2K
$8.93DZDΒ 1,183
-51.29%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88COPΒ 20.5K
$5.27DZDΒ 698
11.57%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.61COPΒ 30.0K
$16.30DZDΒ 2,160
-47.18%
Apples(1kg)
$2.25COPΒ 7,844
$3.12DZDΒ 414
-27.88%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07COPΒ 3,733
$2.94DZDΒ 390
-63.61%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52COPΒ 5,322
$1.72DZDΒ 228
-11.63%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.42COPΒ 4,964
$0.75DZDΒ 99.8
89.33%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,084
$0.55DZDΒ 72.9
112.73%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17COPΒ 4,077
$0.49DZDΒ 65.0
138.78%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89COPΒ 3,096
$0.65DZDΒ 86.4
36.92%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90COPΒ 3,146
$0.30DZDΒ 40.13
200.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25COPΒ 7,837
$2.71DZDΒ 359
-16.97%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.04COPΒ 38.5K
$6.72DZDΒ 891
64.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14COPΒ 3,977
$1.30DZDΒ 173
-12.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38COPΒ 8,301
$2.16DZDΒ 286
10.19%
π Getting Around
Medellin
El Bayadh
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84COPΒ 2,916
$0.25DZDΒ 33.20
236.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.95COPΒ 146.4K
$17.43DZDΒ 2,311
140.68%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41COPΒ 4,912
$0.70DZDΒ 92.7
101.43%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90COPΒ 6,634
$0.33DZDΒ 44.17
475.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.75COPΒ 27.0K
$5.18DZDΒ 686
49.61%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.01COPΒ 3,509
$0.34DZDΒ 44.51
197.06%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KCOPΒ 61.4M
$31.8KDZDΒ 4.2M
-44.77%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KCOPΒ 92.5M
$33.3KDZDΒ 4.4M
-20.34%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
El Bayadh
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.7COPΒ 292.1K
$40.24DZDΒ 5,333
107.95%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.45COPΒ 33.0K
$9.20DZDΒ 1,220
2.72%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11COPΒ 84.1K
$16.73DZDΒ 2,217
44.11%
π Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
El Bayadh
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.31COPΒ 88.3K
$23.10DZDΒ 3,062
9.57%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14COPΒ 66.8K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.10COPΒ 14.3K
$5.26DZDΒ 697
-22.05%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Medellin
El Bayadh
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$312COPΒ 1.1M
$93.0DZDΒ 12.3K
235.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,993COPΒ 20.9M
$3,570DZDΒ 473.2K
67.86%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
El Bayadh
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0COPΒ 202.6K
$36.10DZDΒ 4,784
60.78%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.56COPΒ 113.6K
$46.05DZDΒ 6,103
-29.29%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.6COPΒ 347.7K
$73.7DZDΒ 9,771
35.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109COPΒ 378.8K
$78.6DZDΒ 10.4K
38.16%
π Accommodation & Living
Medellin
El Bayadh
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482COPΒ 1.7M
$198DZDΒ 26.3K
143.47%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$379COPΒ 1.3M
$114DZDΒ 15.1K
232.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837COPΒ 2.9M
$277DZDΒ 36.7K
202.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$723COPΒ 2.5M
$187DZDΒ 24.7K
287.34%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,840COPΒ 9.9M
$1,209DZDΒ 160.2K
134.90%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,223COPΒ 4.3M
$1,236DZDΒ 163.8K
-1.04%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Medellin
El Bayadh
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$541COPΒ 1.9M
-
-
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 El Bayadh: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $482 in Medellin and $198 in El Bayadh. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $33.00 in Medellin vs $23.00 in El Bayadh. Groceries flip the comparison at $190 vs $205, with Medellin cheaper for home cooking.
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 El Bayadh: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Medellin or El Bayadh?
El Bayadh wins on cost β living expenses run 69% lower than in Medellin. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making El Bayadh the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Medellin vs El Bayadh?
You'd need roughly $1,525 in Medellin and $905 in El Bayadh to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Medellin vs El Bayadh?
Rent for a central apartment: $482 in Medellin versus $198 in El Bayadh. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do dining costs compare in Medellin vs El Bayadh?
Dining out is cheaper in El Bayadh β a meal for two runs $23.00 versus $33.00 in Medellin. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How much does it cost to live in Medellin compared to El Bayadh?
All in, you'll spend $1,017 per month in Medellin versus $603 in El Bayadh β a 69% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Medellin or El Bayadh?
At $603 in El Bayadh versus $1,017 in Medellin, a $1,000 budget is realistic in El Bayadh but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes El Bayadh the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Medellin or El Bayadh?
Both work as nomad bases, but El Bayadh delivers better value β similar infrastructure at $603 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes El Bayadh hard to pass up.
How safe is Medellin compared to El Bayadh?
Safety-wise, Medellin and El Bayadh 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find El Bayadh gentler on the wallet β expenses run 69% less than in Medellin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.