Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Argentina and Chile

For one person, living is cheaper in Chile: $1,054 a month against $1,344 in Argentina, rent and utilities included – about $3,500 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

🇦🇷 Argentina
$1,344
/mo nomad
🇨🇱 Chile
$1,054
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Argentina and in Chile

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,344 in Argentina versus $1,054 in Chile.

  • Argentina $1,344
  • Chile $1,054

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,176 in Argentina versus $1,637 in Chile.

  • Argentina $2,176
  • Chile $1,637

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,007 in Argentina versus $2,219 in Chile.

  • Argentina $3,007
  • Chile $2,219

Living in Argentina is roughly 28% more expensive than in Chile on average.

Argentina (0% above) and Chile (22% below) straddle the global median.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Argentina
Chile
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.71 ARS 22.3K
$8.38 CLP 8,249
75.54%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$54.7 ARS 83.0K
$46.37 CLP 45.6K
17.94%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.02 ARS 19.8K
$6.99 CLP 6,884
86.27%
Cappuccino
$3.48 ARS 5,288
$2.87 CLP 2,827
21.25%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.10 ARS 3,193
$1.32 CLP 1,295
59.09%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57 ARS 2,385
$1.03 CLP 1,015
52.43%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.60 ARS 5,459
$3.65 CLP 3,595
-1.37%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.89 ARS 5,903
$4.01 CLP 3,947
-2.99%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Argentina
Chile
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.37 ARS 2,074
$1.19 CLP 1,172
15.13%
White Bread (500g)
$2.31 ARS 3,501
$1.62 CLP 1,592
42.59%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.75 ARS 2,655
$1.52 CLP 1,500
15.13%
Eggs
$2.72 ARS 4,120
$3.44 CLP 3,385
-20.93%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.24 ARS 15.5K
$10.37 CLP 10.2K
-1.25%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.58 ARS 13.0K
$6.02 CLP 5,930
42.52%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.85 ARS 18.0K
$10.69 CLP 10.5K
10.85%
Apples (1kg)
$2.48 ARS 3,770
$1.85 CLP 1,821
34.05%
Banana (1kg)
$2.12 ARS 3,213
$1.66 CLP 1,637
27.71%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.40 ARS 2,131
$1.58 CLP 1,555
-11.39%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.41 ARS 3,664
$1.66 CLP 1,632
45.18%
Potato (1kg)
$1.18 ARS 1,792
$1.11 CLP 1,089
6.31%
Onion (1kg)
$1.09 ARS 1,655
$1.36 CLP 1,339
-19.85%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.56 ARS 2,374
$1.17 CLP 1,152
33.33%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.56 ARS 2,375
$1.19 CLP 1,173
31.09%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.12 ARS 6,253
$5.07 CLP 4,993
-18.74%
Wine (Bottle)
$5.04 ARS 7,648
$5.18 CLP 5,103
-2.70%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.96 ARS 2,969
$1.37 CLP 1,346
43.07%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07 ARS 4,666
$2.10 CLP 2,066
46.19%
🚌 Getting Around
Argentina
Chile
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.02 ARS 1,543
$0.76 CLP 747
34.21%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$27.91 ARS 42.3K
$38.03 CLP 37.4K
-26.61%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.57 ARS 2,386
$0.80 CLP 789
96.25%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.98 ARS 1,489
$1.24 CLP 1,223
-20.97%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.44 ARS 11.3K
$12.15 CLP 12.0K
-38.77%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.27 ARS 1,928
$1.42 CLP 1,396
-10.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.6K ARS 40.4M
$17.6K CLP 17.3M
51.29%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.6K ARS 51.0M
$19.5K CLP 19.2M
72.67%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Argentina
Chile
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$137 ARS 208.4K
$114 CLP 112.7K
20.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.27 ARS 26.2K
$12.10 CLP 11.9K
42.73%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.41 ARS 38.6K
$22.34 CLP 22.0K
13.74%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Argentina
Chile
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$34.76 ARS 52.7K
$35.36 CLP 34.8K
-1.70%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.57 ARS 28.2K
$14.48 CLP 14.3K
28.25%
Cinema Ticket
$9.99 ARS 15.2K
$6.23 CLP 6,136
60.35%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Argentina
Chile
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$332 ARS 504.0K
$343 CLP 337.6K
-3.15%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,258 ARS 9.5M
$6,665 CLP 6.6M
-6.11%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Argentina
Chile
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$109 ARS 165.5K
$43.26 CLP 42.6K
152.08%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$85.5 ARS 129.7K
$26.90 CLP 26.5K
217.77%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$121 ARS 183.6K
$59.3 CLP 58.3K
104.12%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122 ARS 184.5K
$71.8 CLP 70.7K
69.31%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Argentina
Chile
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$538 ARS 817.1K
$437 CLP 430.0K
23.27%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$372 ARS 564.6K
$339 CLP 333.9K
9.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,097 ARS 1.7M
$750 CLP 738.2K
46.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$804 ARS 1.2M
$586 CLP 576.4K
37.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,181 ARS 3.3M
$2,302 CLP 2.3M
-5.26%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,454 ARS 2.2M
$1,993 CLP 2.0M
-27.06%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Argentina
Chile
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$786 ARS 1.2M
$657 CLP 646.3K
19.71%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
58.21
5.15
1030.29%

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

Last update for Argentina: October 13, 2026

Last update for Chile: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Argentina
$372
Chile
$339 8.8% $33
Groceries & Markets
Argentina
$263
Chile
$221 15.9% $42
Eating Out
Argentina
$239
Chile
$158 33.8% $81
Clothing & Footwear
Argentina
$197
Chile
$91 54% $106
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Argentina
$180
Chile
$149 17.3% $31
Sport & Entertainment
Argentina
$55
Chile
$48 12.6% $6.9
Getting Around
Argentina
$38
Chile
$48 25% $9.6

Cost Breakdown

National rent averages: $515 in Argentina, $331 in Chile. Capital cities: $756 in Buenos Aires vs $559 in Santiago.

National salary averages: $799 in Argentina, $699 in Chile. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 56% higher in Argentina.

Dining out costs 53% more in Argentina.

Public transport is 125% more expensive in Chile.

Salaries are 14% higher in Argentina.

Good to know
🇦🇷 Argentina
🇨🇱 Chile
🕒 Local time
06:29 6:29 AM
06:29 6:29 AM
Same time as Argentina
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
47,327,407
19,458,000
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

CLP, USD, EUR to ARS – Argentine Peso Converter

Argentine Peso exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 1,517 ARS (10,000 ARS = 6.59 USD). 1 EUR = 1,706 ARS (10,000 ARS = 5.86 EUR).

Chilean Peso exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 984 CLP (1,000 CLP = 1.02 USD). 1 EUR = 1,107 CLP (10,000 CLP = 9.04 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Argentina Chile 1,130 km ≈ 2 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Argentina
  • Chile

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
Argentina vs Chile: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost difference between Argentina and Chile?
At $1,344 per month in Argentina and $1,054 in Chile, there's a 28% gap. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Rent for a central one-bedroom averages $515 in Argentina and $331 in Chile. Rents vary a lot between cities, so the gap depends on where you settle.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget in Argentina or in Chile?
In Chile, $1,500 covers most cities easily; in Argentina it stretches only to regional areas and falls short in the capital – you'll need to make trade-offs on housing or lifestyle.
Should I move to Argentina or to Chile?
It depends on what you're after: Chile wins on affordability; Argentina may offer higher salaries, better infrastructure, and different cultural perks. Both attract large expat communities for different reasons.

Argentina vs other spots: cost of living compared

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