Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Medellin and Ouargla

For one person, living is cheaper in Ouargla: $524 a month against $1,692 in Medellin, rent and utilities included – about $14,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Medellin, Colombia
Ouargla, Algeria
Medellin
🇨🇴 Colombia
$1,692
/mo nomad
Ouargla
🇩🇿 Algeria
$524
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Medellin and in Ouargla

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 Ouargla actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,692 per month in Medellin vs $524 in Ouargla, rent included.

  • Medellin $1,692
  • Ouargla $524

A couple spends around $2,471 per month in Medellin vs $852 in Ouargla, rent included.

  • Medellin $2,471
  • Ouargla $852

A family of three spends $3,249 per month in Medellin vs $1,180 in Ouargla, rent included.

  • Medellin $3,249
  • Ouargla $1,180

Medellin costs about 223% more than Ouargla, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Medellin sits 25% above the global median, while Ouargla is 61% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Medellin
Ouargla
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.34 COP 26.8K
$3.18 DZD 431
162.26%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.53 COP 149.7K
$17.00 DZD 2,303
173.71%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.47 COP 30.5K
$3.89 DZD 527
143.44%
Cappuccino
$3.13 COP 10.1K
$0.69 DZD 92.9
353.62%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.77 COP 5,681
$0.59 DZD 79.9
200.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.42 COP 4,582
$0.24 DZD 32.30
491.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.15 COP 10.1K
$1.53 DZD 207
105.88%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.70 COP 18.3K
$2.21 DZD 300
157.92%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Medellin
Ouargla
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.53 COP 4,930
$0.88 DZD 119
73.86%
White Bread (500g)
$2.29 COP 7,370
$0.14 DZD 19.15
1535.71%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.94 COP 6,257
$1.16 DZD 157
67.24%
Eggs
$3.07 COP 9,864
$1.19 DZD 161
157.98%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.99 COP 32.1K
$7.90 DZD 1,071
26.46%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.45 COP 33.6K
$3.92 DZD 530
166.58%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.96 COP 44.9K
$14.40 DZD 1,950
-3.06%
Apples (1kg)
$4.05 COP 13.0K
$2.11 DZD 286
91.94%
Banana (1kg)
$1.53 COP 4,916
$2.78 DZD 377
-44.96%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.10 COP 6,769
$1.06 DZD 144
98.11%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.29 COP 7,378
$0.97 DZD 132
136.08%
Potato (1kg)
$2.11 COP 6,785
$0.58 DZD 79.2
263.79%
Onion (1kg)
$1.71 COP 5,498
$0.45 DZD 61.2
280.00%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.17 COP 3,764
$0.70 DZD 95.4
67.14%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.58 COP 5,083
$0.27 DZD 36.95
485.19%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.91 COP 12.6K
$2.57 DZD 348
52.14%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.04 COP 45.2K
$6.64 DZD 899
111.45%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76 COP 5,667
$1.23 DZD 166
43.09%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.71 COP 8,724
$1.87 DZD 254
44.92%
🚌 Getting Around
Medellin
Ouargla
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.18 COP 3,795
$0.22 DZD 29.79
436.36%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$76.3 COP 245.4K
$6.84 DZD 927
1015.35%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.81 COP 5,812
$0.59 DZD 79.4
206.78%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.13 COP 6,849
$0.40 DZD 54.8
432.50%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.13 COP 26.2K
$5.18 DZD 702
56.95%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.28 COP 4,102
$0.33 DZD 44.42
287.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.4K COP 110.8M
$31.8K DZD 4.3M
8.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.1K COP 109.8M
$34.9K DZD 4.7M
-2.10%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
Ouargla
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$178 COP 571.7K
$35.65 DZD 4,830
398.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.89 COP 44.7K
$9.06 DZD 1,227
53.31%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.74 COP 98.9K
$12.52 DZD 1,696
145.53%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
Ouargla
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.94 COP 134.9K
$21.99 DZD 2,979
90.72%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.80 COP 54.0K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.47 COP 24.0K
$4.60 DZD 623
62.39%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Medellin
Ouargla
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$790 COP 2.5M
$330 DZD 44.7K
139.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.3K COP 39.6M
$4,832 DZD 654.5K
154.50%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
Ouargla
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$86.3 COP 277.7K
$31.98 DZD 4,332
169.98%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.3 COP 190.6K
$34.27 DZD 4,642
72.92%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$138 COP 445.0K
$69.6 DZD 9,427
98.79%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$98.8 COP 317.8K
$79.4 DZD 10.8K
24.43%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Medellin
Ouargla
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,341 COP 4.3M
$141 DZD 19.1K
849.81%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$667 COP 2.1M
$93.2 DZD 12.6K
615.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,976 COP 6.4M
$270 DZD 36.6K
631.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,033 COP 3.3M
$199 DZD 27.0K
419.10%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,098 COP 13.2M
$959 DZD 129.9K
327.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,940 COP 6.2M
$1,058 DZD 143.3K
83.33%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Medellin
Ouargla
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$646 COP 2.1M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.94
5.3
106.42%

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

Last update for Medellin: November 2, 2026

Last update for Ouargla: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Medellin
$667
Ouargla
$93 86% $574
Groceries & Markets
Medellin
$307
Ouargla
$174 43.3% $133
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Medellin
$222
Ouargla
$57 74.3% $165
Eating Out
Medellin
$173
Ouargla
$61 64.8% $112
Clothing & Footwear
Medellin
$172
Ouargla
$97 43.8% $75
Getting Around
Medellin
$93
Ouargla
$10 88.9% $83
Sport & Entertainment
Medellin
$57
Ouargla
$31 45.2% $26

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,341 in Medellin versus $141 in Ouargla. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin versus $17 in Ouargla. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $307 vs $174 – making Ouargla the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Medellin
🇩🇿 Ouargla
🕒 Local time
18:18 6:18 PM
00:18 12:18 AM
6 h ahead of Medellin
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,486,723
133,024
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

DZD, USD, EUR to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of November 5, 2026: 1 USD = 3,217 COP (10,000 COP = 3.11 USD). 1 EUR = 3,611 COP (10,000 COP = 2.77 EUR).

Algerian Dinar exchange rates as of November 5, 2026: 1 USD = 135 DZD (1,000 DZD = 7.38 USD). 1 EUR = 152 DZD (1,000 DZD = 6.58 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Medellin Ouargla 8,780 km ≈ 11 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Medellin
  • Ouargla

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 Ouargla: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ouargla cheaper than Medellin?
Yes – Medellin is pricier by about 223%, 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 $2,538 per month in Medellin and $786 in Ouargla. 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 Ouargla, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $141 there versus $1,341 in Medellin.
Is eating out cheaper in Medellin or in Ouargla?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $47 in Medellin and $17 in Ouargla. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Medellin and in Ouargla?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,692 in Medellin and $524 in Ouargla. That makes Ouargla about 69% cheaper.
Is $800 a realistic budget for living in Medellin or in Ouargla?
A $800 monthly budget goes further in Ouargla, where all-in costs run around $524, than in Medellin at $1,692. In Ouargla it covers expenses comfortably, while in Medellin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Medellin or Ouargla more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Ouargla – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
For expats, Ouargla is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 69% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

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