πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,087 in Ancud versus $1,048 in La Serena.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,649 in Ancud versus $1,754 in La Serena.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,210 in Ancud versus $2,459 in La Serena.
πLiving in Ancud is roughly 4% more expensive than La Serena, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Ancud19% lower, La Serena22% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Ancud
La Serena
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.76CLPΒ 7,772
$7.90CLPΒ 7,007
10.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.37CLPΒ 39.4K
$51.5CLPΒ 45.7K
-13.79%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.13CLPΒ 7,220
$8.94CLPΒ 7,935
-9.06%
Cappuccino
$2.80CLPΒ 2,489
$2.96CLPΒ 2,630
-5.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.31CLPΒ 1,164
$1.12CLPΒ 992
16.96%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.03CLPΒ 913
$0.67CLPΒ 597
53.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.25CLPΒ 2,888
$2.13CLPΒ 1,893
52.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.06CLPΒ 3,606
$4.10CLPΒ 3,642
-0.98%
π Groceries & Markets
Ancud
La Serena
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.19CLPΒ 1,060
$1.23CLPΒ 1,094
-3.25%
White Bread(500g)
$1.52CLPΒ 1,346
$2.48CLPΒ 2,202
-38.71%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.86CLPΒ 1,653
$1.53CLPΒ 1,358
21.57%
Eggs
$3.47CLPΒ 3,076
$3.94CLPΒ 3,495
-11.93%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.64CLPΒ 9,444
$13.11CLPΒ 11.6K
-18.84%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.57CLPΒ 5,830
$5.96CLPΒ 5,289
10.23%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.79CLPΒ 9,574
$13.27CLPΒ 11.8K
-18.69%
Apples(1kg)
$1.90CLPΒ 1,684
$1.99CLPΒ 1,764
-4.52%
Banana(1kg)
$1.52CLPΒ 1,348
$1.85CLPΒ 1,642
-17.84%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.54CLPΒ 1,367
$1.33CLPΒ 1,182
15.79%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.49CLPΒ 1,327
$1.48CLPΒ 1,317
0.68%
Potato(1kg)
$1.28CLPΒ 1,133
$1.20CLPΒ 1,063
6.67%
Onion(1kg)
$1.34CLPΒ 1,192
$1.31CLPΒ 1,159
2.29%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.26CLPΒ 1,115
$1.13CLPΒ 1,003
11.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.22CLPΒ 1,085
$0.91CLPΒ 807
34.07%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.36CLPΒ 4,759
$5.33CLPΒ 4,731
0.56%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.00CLPΒ 5,327
$5.50CLPΒ 4,879
9.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.56CLPΒ 1,385
$1.03CLPΒ 917
51.46%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26CLPΒ 2,004
$2.25CLPΒ 1,998
0.44%
π Getting Around
Ancud
La Serena
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.61CLPΒ 542
$1.10CLPΒ 980
-44.55%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$38.15CLPΒ 33.9K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.51CLPΒ 454
$0.76CLPΒ 678
-32.89%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$2.06CLPΒ 1,828
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$12.76CLPΒ 11.3K
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.38CLPΒ 1,227
$1.50CLPΒ 1,333
-8.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.5KCLPΒ 17.3M
$21.2KCLPΒ 18.9M
-8.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.2KCLPΒ 18.8M
$13.1KCLPΒ 11.7M
61.51%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ancud
La Serena
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$132CLPΒ 116.7K
$92.8CLPΒ 82.4K
41.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.30CLPΒ 11.8K
$11.41CLPΒ 10.1K
16.56%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.35CLPΒ 19.8K
$22.64CLPΒ 20.1K
-1.28%
π Sport & Entertainment
Ancud
La Serena
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.24CLPΒ 34.8K
$36.44CLPΒ 32.3K
7.68%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.06CLPΒ 18.7K
$21.62CLPΒ 19.2K
-2.59%
Cinema Ticket
$5.73CLPΒ 5,083
$8.85CLPΒ 7,850
-35.25%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Ancud
La Serena
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$441CLPΒ 390.9K
$438CLPΒ 388.8K
0.54%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Ancud
La Serena
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.1CLPΒ 45.4K
$45.54CLPΒ 40.4K
12.25%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.59CLPΒ 27.1K
$30.87CLPΒ 27.4K
-0.91%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$62.9CLPΒ 55.8K
$98.8CLPΒ 87.7K
-36.40%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$81.0CLPΒ 71.9K
$112CLPΒ 99.0K
-27.36%
π Accommodation & Living
Ancud
La Serena
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$488CLPΒ 432.9K
$366CLPΒ 325.2K
33.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$375CLPΒ 332.9K
$285CLPΒ 253.3K
31.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$889CLPΒ 788.9K
$1,037CLPΒ 920.4K
-14.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$602CLPΒ 534.0K
$708CLPΒ 628.1K
-14.99%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,236CLPΒ 2.0M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,462CLPΒ 1.3M
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Ancud
La Serena
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$773CLPΒ 686.1K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.18
6.5
-20.31%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ancud: June 1, 2026
Last update for La Serena: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $488 in Ancud and $366 in La Serena. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $44.00 in Ancud vs $51.0 in La Serena for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $228 vs $244 per month, with Ancud cheaper across the board.
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
Ancud vs La Serena: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is La Serena cheaper than Ancud?
La Serena is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 4% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,631 in Ancud and $1,573 in La Serena 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.
What is the rent difference between Ancud and La Serena?
Rent for a central apartment: $488 in Ancud versus $366 in La Serena. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Ancud and La Serena?
Shoppers in Ancud pay roughly 7% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
What are total monthly expenses in Ancud vs La Serena?
All in, you'll spend $1,087 per month in Ancud versus $1,048 in La Serena β a 4% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Ancud or La Serena?
At $1,048 in La Serena versus $1,087 in Ancud, a $1,500 budget is realistic in La Serena but tight or insufficient in Ancud. The gap between the two cities makes La Serena the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Ancud or La Serena?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find La Serena gentler on the wallet β expenses run 4% less than in Ancud. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.