Cost of Living Comparison Between Argentina and Chile Cost of Living Comparison Between Argentina and Chile

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $968 in Argentina versus $1,085 in Chile.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,579 in Argentina versus $1,657 in Chile.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,189 in Argentina versus $2,228 in Chile.

Living in Argentina costs about 11% less than in Chile on average.

Both countries sit below the global median: Argentina 28% lower, Chile 19% lower.

Internal cost variation is higher in Argentina: monthly costs span $597 to $1,412, compared to $944$1,326 in Chile. City choice carries more weight in Argentina.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Argentina
Chile
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.01 ARS 17.1K
$8.38 CLP 7,441
43.32%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$50.1 ARS 71.5K
$42.37 CLP 37.6K
18.24%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.03 ARS 14.3K
$7.73 CLP 6,865
29.75%
Cappuccino
$3.43 ARS 4,890
$2.98 CLP 2,642
15.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96 ARS 2,791
$1.43 CLP 1,270
37.06%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.46 ARS 2,087
$1.05 CLP 928
39.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.96 ARS 4,217
$3.31 CLP 2,941
-10.57%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01 ARS 4,299
$3.72 CLP 3,297
-19.09%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Argentina
Chile
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.38 ARS 1,974
$1.22 CLP 1,083
13.11%
White Bread (500g)
$1.99 ARS 2,840
$1.54 CLP 1,369
29.22%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.04 ARS 2,904
$1.72 CLP 1,530
18.60%
Eggs
$2.70 ARS 3,857
$3.63 CLP 3,219
-25.62%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.98 ARS 14.2K
$10.36 CLP 9,193
-3.67%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.82 ARS 9,727
$6.17 CLP 5,480
10.53%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.69 ARS 12.4K
$10.97 CLP 9,733
-20.78%
Apples (1kg)
$2.17 ARS 3,092
$1.90 CLP 1,685
14.21%
Banana (1kg)
$2.01 ARS 2,869
$1.67 CLP 1,482
20.36%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.36 ARS 1,937
$1.87 CLP 1,663
-27.27%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.48 ARS 3,533
$1.78 CLP 1,576
39.33%
Potato (1kg)
$1.30 ARS 1,849
$1.50 CLP 1,330
-13.33%
Onion (1kg)
$1.24 ARS 1,772
$1.55 CLP 1,376
-20.00%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.53 ARS 2,182
$1.25 CLP 1,107
22.40%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.48 ARS 2,106
$1.25 CLP 1,107
18.40%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.95 ARS 4,201
$5.28 CLP 4,689
-44.13%
Wine (Bottle)
$4.86 ARS 6,927
$5.47 CLP 4,853
-11.15%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.88 ARS 2,678
$1.49 CLP 1,325
26.17%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.99 ARS 4,268
$2.30 CLP 2,044
30.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Argentina
Chile
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.78 ARS 1,114
$0.83 CLP 737
-6.02%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$20.92 ARS 29.8K
$41.73 CLP 37.0K
-49.87%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.53 ARS 2,181
$0.82 CLP 732
86.59%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.97 ARS 1,389
$1.54 CLP 1,370
-37.01%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.88 ARS 8,388
$13.14 CLP 11.7K
-55.25%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.12 ARS 1,604
$1.43 CLP 1,273
-21.68%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6K ARS 35.0M
$18.4K CLP 16.3M
33.43%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.3K ARS 43.2M
$20.1K CLP 17.8M
51.10%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Argentina
Chile
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$85.0 ARS 121.2K
$111 CLP 98.8K
-23.67%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.93 ARS 24.1K
$12.38 CLP 11.0K
36.75%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.33 ARS 33.3K
$22.59 CLP 20.0K
3.28%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Argentina
Chile
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$30.26 ARS 43.2K
$35.74 CLP 31.7K
-15.33%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.40 ARS 19.1K
$20.52 CLP 18.2K
-34.70%
Cinema Ticket
$7.02 ARS 10.0K
$5.77 CLP 5,120
21.66%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Argentina
Chile
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$255 ARS 363.3K
$385 CLP 341.5K
-33.80%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,767 ARS 5.4M
$6,348 CLP 5.6M
-40.67%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Argentina
Chile
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$97.2 ARS 138.6K
$48.14 CLP 42.7K
101.89%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$77.8 ARS 110.9K
$29.65 CLP 26.3K
162.26%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$121 ARS 173.2K
$64.9 CLP 57.6K
86.97%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119 ARS 170.1K
$78.6 CLP 69.7K
51.78%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Argentina
Chile
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$483 ARS 688.6K
$458 CLP 406.6K
5.38%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$330 ARS 470.6K
$384 CLP 340.5K
-14.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$888 ARS 1.3M
$816 CLP 724.6K
8.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$633 ARS 902.3K
$659 CLP 585.3K
-4.08%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,078 ARS 3.0M
$2,488 CLP 2.2M
-16.46%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,376 ARS 2.0M
$2,283 CLP 2.0M
-39.71%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Argentina
Chile
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$737 ARS 1.1M
$741 CLP 657.6K
-0.52%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
65.53
5.09
1187.43%

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

Last update for Argentina: June 1, 2026

Last update for Chile: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

National rent averages: $352 in Argentina, $475 in Chile. Capital cities: $658 in Buenos Aires vs $519 in Santiago.

National salary averages: $722 in Argentina, $755 in Chile. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 35% higher in Chile.

Dining out costs 23% more in Chile.

Public transport is 60% more expensive in Chile.

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 $1,005 per month in Argentina and $1,135 in Chile, there's a 13% 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 is cheaper for everyday spending?
Argentina is simply cheaper day-to-day: lower food prices, cheaper commutes, smaller household bills. Over time, those daily savings make a real difference to your monthly budget and ability to put money away.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Rent in Chile beats Argentina across the board, especially in major cities. Housing is usually the single biggest driver of the overall cost difference between the two countries.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget in Argentina or Chile?
In Argentina, $1,500 covers most cities easily. In Chile, it works in regional areas but falls short in the capital – you'll need to make trade-offs on housing or lifestyle.
Should I move to Argentina or Chile?
It depends on what you're after. Argentina wins on affordability; Chile may offer higher salaries, better infrastructure, and different cultural perks. Both attract large expat communities for different reasons.

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