🙂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: Argentina28% lower, Chile19% 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
$12.01ARS 17.1K
$8.38CLP 7,441
43.32%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$50.1ARS 71.5K
$42.37CLP 37.6K
18.24%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.03ARS 14.3K
$7.73CLP 6,865
29.75%
Cappuccino
$3.43ARS 4,890
$2.98CLP 2,642
15.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96ARS 2,791
$1.43CLP 1,270
37.06%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.46ARS 2,087
$1.05CLP 928
39.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.96ARS 4,217
$3.31CLP 2,941
-10.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01ARS 4,299
$3.72CLP 3,297
-19.09%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Argentina
Chile
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38ARS 1,974
$1.22CLP 1,083
13.11%
White Bread(500g)
$1.99ARS 2,840
$1.54CLP 1,369
29.22%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.04ARS 2,904
$1.72CLP 1,530
18.60%
Eggs
$2.70ARS 3,857
$3.63CLP 3,219
-25.62%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.98ARS 14.2K
$10.36CLP 9,193
-3.67%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.82ARS 9,727
$6.17CLP 5,480
10.53%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.69ARS 12.4K
$10.97CLP 9,733
-20.78%
Apples(1kg)
$2.17ARS 3,092
$1.90CLP 1,685
14.21%
Banana(1kg)
$2.01ARS 2,869
$1.67CLP 1,482
20.36%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.36ARS 1,937
$1.87CLP 1,663
-27.27%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.48ARS 3,533
$1.78CLP 1,576
39.33%
Potato(1kg)
$1.30ARS 1,849
$1.50CLP 1,330
-13.33%
Onion(1kg)
$1.24ARS 1,772
$1.55CLP 1,376
-20.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.53ARS 2,182
$1.25CLP 1,107
22.40%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.48ARS 2,106
$1.25CLP 1,107
18.40%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.95ARS 4,201
$5.28CLP 4,689
-44.13%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.86ARS 6,927
$5.47CLP 4,853
-11.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.88ARS 2,678
$1.49CLP 1,325
26.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.99ARS 4,268
$2.30CLP 2,044
30.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Argentina
Chile
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.78ARS 1,114
$0.83CLP 737
-6.02%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$20.92ARS 29.8K
$41.73CLP 37.0K
-49.87%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.53ARS 2,181
$0.82CLP 732
86.59%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.97ARS 1,389
$1.54CLP 1,370
-37.01%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.88ARS 8,388
$13.14CLP 11.7K
-55.25%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.12ARS 1,604
$1.43CLP 1,273
-21.68%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6KARS 35.0M
$18.4KCLP 16.3M
33.43%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.3KARS 43.2M
$20.1KCLP 17.8M
51.10%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Argentina
Chile
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$85.0ARS 121.2K
$111CLP 98.8K
-23.67%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.93ARS 24.1K
$12.38CLP 11.0K
36.75%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.33ARS 33.3K
$22.59CLP 20.0K
3.28%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Argentina
Chile
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.26ARS 43.2K
$35.74CLP 31.7K
-15.33%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.40ARS 19.1K
$20.52CLP 18.2K
-34.70%
Cinema Ticket
$7.02ARS 10.0K
$5.77CLP 5,120
21.66%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Argentina
Chile
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$255ARS 363.3K
$385CLP 341.5K
-33.80%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,767ARS 5.4M
$6,348CLP 5.6M
-40.67%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Argentina
Chile
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$97.2ARS 138.6K
$48.14CLP 42.7K
101.89%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$77.8ARS 110.9K
$29.65CLP 26.3K
162.26%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$121ARS 173.2K
$64.9CLP 57.6K
86.97%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119ARS 170.1K
$78.6CLP 69.7K
51.78%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Argentina
Chile
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$483ARS 688.6K
$458CLP 406.6K
5.38%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$330ARS 470.6K
$384CLP 340.5K
-14.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$888ARS 1.3M
$816CLP 724.6K
8.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$633ARS 902.3K
$659CLP 585.3K
-4.08%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,078ARS 3.0M
$2,488CLP 2.2M
-16.46%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,376ARS 2.0M
$2,283CLP 2.0M
-39.71%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Argentina
Chile
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$737ARS 1.1M
$741CLP 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.