Cost Of Living For a Student in Algeria 2024
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: DZD
Average monthly spending for students in Algeria
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Algeria?
Students in Algeria spend around 110,000 DZD per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 17,000 DZD or as high as 760,000 DZD. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Algeria
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
| 750 DZD | 1,100 DZD | 2,300 DZD |
Fine dining meal for one
| 1,500 DZD | 2,300 DZD | 9,000 DZD |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
| 1,100 DZD | 1,500 DZD | 3,000 DZD |
Average car 1-day rental
| 1,100 DZD | 1,500 DZD | 2,300 DZD |
Average car price
| 560,000 DZD | 1.1M DZD | 1.5M DZD |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 1,500 DZD | 2,300 DZD | 4,500 DZD |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 690 DZD | 4,500 DZD | 30,000 DZD |
Internet and cable
| 1,100 DZD | 2,300 DZD | 3,000 DZD |
Mobile phone charges
| 900 DZD | 1,500 DZD | 4,500 DZD |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 560 DZD | 750 DZD | 1,100 DZD |
One month gym membership
| 1,800 DZD | 2,300 DZD | 4,500 DZD |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 1,300 DZD | 1,900 DZD | 2,800 DZD |
Woman dress
| 1,300 DZD | 1,700 DZD | 5,600 DZD |
Woman shoes
| 1,200 DZD | 1,600 DZD | 3,800 DZD |
Men's shoes
| 1,000 DZD | 1,300 DZD | 2,500 DZD |
Men suit
| 1,100 DZD | 1,400 DZD | 7,500 DZD |
Regular t-shirt
| 560 DZD | 750 DZD | 2,300 DZD |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 19,000 DZD | 28,000 DZD | 75,000 DZD |
1-bedroom apartment
| 28,000 DZD | 45,000 DZD | 110,000 DZD |
2-bedroom apartment
| 38,000 DZD | 56,000 DZD | 150,000 DZD |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 3.8M DZD | 5.6M DZD | 11M DZD |
1-bedroom apartment
| 4.5M DZD | 7.5M DZD | 28M DZD |
2-bedroom apartment
| $56,000 | $170,000 | $330,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 23,000 DZD | 28,000 DZD | 38,000 DZD |
Double Bed
| 15,000 DZD | 23,000 DZD | 28,000 DZD |
Single Bed
| 13,000 DZD | 17,000 DZD | 23,000 DZD |
Living Room
| 25,000 DZD | 32,000 DZD | 110,000 DZD |
Dining Table
| 11,000 DZD | 15,000 DZD | 28,000 DZD |
Sofa or Couch
| 15,000 DZD | 20,000 DZD | 45,000 DZD |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 15,000 DZD | 23,000 DZD | 45,000 DZD |
Fridge or Freezer
| 13,000 DZD | 20,000 DZD | 28,000 DZD |
Washing Machine
| 17,000 DZD | 25,000 DZD | 45,000 DZD |
Stove or Cooker
| 16,000 DZD | 20,000 DZD | 28,000 DZD |
Mobile Phone
| 19,000 DZD | 23,000 DZD | 32,000 DZD |
Laptop or Computer
| 20,000 DZD | 25,000 DZD | 45,000 DZD |
How do students spend their money in Algeria?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost18%
18% of total expenses on average (13% to 24%)
| LOW | $31 4,100 DZD |
| AVERAGE | $200 27,000 DZD |
| HIGH | $1,400 180,000 DZD |
| Per Month |
Students in Algeria typically spend from 13% to 24% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 18% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 27,000 DZD with expenditure ranging from 4,100 DZD to 180,000 DZD. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $5.1 690 DZD |
| AVERAGE | $34 4,500 DZD |
| HIGH | $230 30,000 DZD |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Algeria ranges from 4% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 4,500 DZD with 690 DZD and 30,000 DZD being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel4%
4% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $8.9 1,200 DZD |
| AVERAGE | $59 8,000 DZD |
| HIGH | $390 53,000 DZD |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 1,200 DZD to 53,000 DZD in a month on commuting with 8,000 DZD being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 4% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 10%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost23%
23% of total expenses on average (17% to 27%)
| LOW | $25 3,400 DZD |
| AVERAGE | $170 23,000 DZD |
| HIGH | $1,100 150,000 DZD |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Algeria is 23,000 DZD. The cost of groceries can range between 3,400 DZD to 150,000 DZD. Students spend on average about 23% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 17% and 27% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare9%
9% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)
| LOW | $7.6 1,000 DZD |
| AVERAGE | $51 6,800 DZD |
| HIGH | $340 45,000 DZD |
| Per Month |
Students in Algeria allocate 6% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 1,000 DZD to 45,000 DZD with 6,800 DZD being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)
| LOW | $6.4 860 DZD |
| AVERAGE | $42 5,700 DZD |
| HIGH | $280 38,000 DZD |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 860 DZD to 38,000 DZD with 5,700 DZD being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $24 3,300 DZD |
| AVERAGE | $160 22,000 DZD |
| HIGH | $1,100 140,000 DZD |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 22,000 DZD per month with 3,300 DZD being the minimum spent amount and 140,000 DZD being the maximum.
Other Expenses19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
| LOW | $19 2,600 DZD |
| AVERAGE | $130 17,000 DZD |
| HIGH | $850 110,000 DZD |
| Per Month |
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Algeria
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Algeria?
Around 53% of surveyed students think that living in Algeria is affordable with proper budgeting while 47% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Algeria
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options57%
Few low-cost options43%
Based on the survey, 57% of the students living in Algeria have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 43% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Students
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked students of Algeria whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes53%
No47%
Based on the survey, 47% of the students living in Algeria said that they don't have an emergency fund while 53% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Algeria
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy48%
We asked student guardians and parents in Algeria whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 52% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 48% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether students of Algeria have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 44% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 56% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance44%
Easily manages finances56%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Algeria
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Algeria
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 19,000 DZD | 28,000 DZD | 75,000 DZD |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 28,000 DZD | 45,000 DZD | 110,000 DZD |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 38,000 DZD | 56,000 DZD | 150,000 DZD |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 45,000 DZD | 75,000 DZD | 200,000 DZD |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 90,000 DZD | 230,000 DZD | 450,000 DZD |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 75,000 DZD | 110,000 DZD | 320,000 DZD |
House monthly rent cost
| 90,000 DZD | 230,000 DZD | 450,000 DZD |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 110,000 DZD | 280,000 DZD | 450,000 DZD |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Algeria ranges between 19,000 DZD and 75,000 DZD, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 28,000 DZD to 110,000 DZD. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 38,000 DZD and 150,000 DZD per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 45,000 DZD to 200,000 DZD. The average rent of a townhouse in Algeria is around 110,000 DZD while house rental costs can be as high as 230,000 DZD per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 110,000 DZD to 450,000 DZD per month.
Apartment and house prices in Algeria
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 3.8M DZD | 5.6M DZD | 11M DZD |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 4.5M DZD | 7.5M DZD | 28M DZD |
2-bedroom apartment price
| $56,000 | $170,000 | $330,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
| $190,000 | $280,000 | $840,000 |
Townhouse price
House price
| 38M DZD | 230M DZD | 320M DZD |
Villa price
| 45M DZD | 250M DZD | 380M DZD |
The average price of a studio apartment in Algeria can range from 3.8M DZD to 11M DZD depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 4.5M DZD to 28M DZD. A villa can cost you 250M DZD on average with prices ranging from 45M DZD to 380M DZD.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Algeria will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 31 | x88 monthly income | 193 |
Property prices in Algeria can be x88 to x193 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x88 multiples of the average monthly salary in Algeria.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Algeria is around 29%. This means that people pay 29% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 19% to 39% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
27% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 340 DZD | 4,500 DZD | 45,000 DZD |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Algeria
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Algeria
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 690 DZD | 4,500 DZD | 30,000 DZD |
Internet and cable cost
| 1,100 DZD | 2,300 DZD | 3,000 DZD |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 900 DZD | 1,500 DZD | 4,500 DZD |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 4,500 DZD. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 1,100 DZD to 3,000 DZD with 2,300 DZD being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 1,500 DZD but can range between 900 DZD and 4,500 DZD depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Algeria is around 6%. This means that people pay 6% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3% to 10% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Algeria
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Algeria
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Algeria is approximatly 450 DZD with meal cost ranging from 230 DZD to 750 DZD. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 750 DZD | 1,100 DZD | 2,300 DZD |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 750 DZD and 2,300 DZD with 1,100 DZD being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Algeria.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 1,500 DZD | 2,300 DZD | 9,000 DZD |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 1,500 DZD to 9,000 DZD with the average cost being 2,300 DZD for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Algeria.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Algeria is around 300 DZD. Price ranges between 190 DZD and 450 DZD depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Algeria is 180 DZD. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 230 DZD and the minimum being 150 DZD depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 150 DZD on average with 110 DZD and 230 DZD being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Algeria is between 260 DZD and 470 DZD depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 330 DZD.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 450 DZD. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Algeria costs around 170 DZD on average with prices rangeing between 120 DZD and 230 DZD depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 45 DZD to 110 DZD. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 110 DZD on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Algeria is around 27%. This means that students spend 27% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 19% to 33% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 3,400 DZD to 150,000 DZD with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
