How much you'll spend in Argentina and in Colombia
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 Colombia actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,344 in Argentina versus $1,319 in Colombia.
Argentina $1,344
Colombia $1,319
Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,176 in Argentina versus $2,068 in Colombia.
Argentina $2,176
Colombia $2,068
Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,007 in Argentina versus $2,817 in Colombia.
Argentina $3,007
Colombia $2,817
📏
Argentina ($890–$1,656) and Colombia ($797–$1,614) have similar cost spreads. Where you settle within each country has roughly equal impact on the budget.
🌍
Living in Argentina is roughly 2% more expensive than in Colombia on average.
📊
Argentina (0% above) and Colombia (2% below) straddle the global median.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
Argentina
Colombia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.71ARS 22.3K
$7.85COP 24.9K
87.39%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$54.7ARS 83.0K
$46.42COP 147.2K
17.82%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.02ARS 19.8K
$10.09COP 32.0K
29.04%
Cappuccino
$3.48ARS 5,288
$2.62COP 8,309
32.82%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.10ARS 3,193
$1.40COP 4,451
50.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57ARS 2,385
$0.96COP 3,040
63.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.60ARS 5,459
$2.54COP 8,052
41.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.89ARS 5,903
$4.10COP 13.0K
-5.12%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Argentina
Colombia
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.37ARS 2,074
$1.56COP 4,955
-12.18%
White Bread(500g)
$2.31ARS 3,501
$2.25COP 7,130
2.67%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.75ARS 2,655
$1.67COP 5,309
4.79%
Eggs
$2.72ARS 4,120
$3.04COP 9,626
-10.53%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.24ARS 15.5K
$7.62COP 24.1K
34.38%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.58ARS 13.0K
$8.81COP 27.9K
-2.61%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.85ARS 18.0K
$11.34COP 36.0K
4.50%
Apples(1kg)
$2.48ARS 3,770
$3.69COP 11.7K
-32.79%
Banana(1kg)
$2.12ARS 3,213
$1.47COP 4,665
44.22%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.40ARS 2,131
$1.84COP 5,826
-23.91%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.41ARS 3,664
$1.90COP 6,015
26.84%
Potato(1kg)
$1.18ARS 1,792
$1.46COP 4,618
-19.18%
Onion(1kg)
$1.09ARS 1,655
$1.45COP 4,609
-24.83%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.56ARS 2,374
$1.16COP 3,686
34.48%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.56ARS 2,375
$1.12COP 3,562
39.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.12ARS 6,253
$4.05COP 12.8K
1.73%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.04ARS 7,648
$13.16COP 41.7K
-61.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.96ARS 2,969
$1.41COP 4,467
39.01%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07ARS 4,666
$2.65COP 8,398
15.85%
🚌 Getting Around
Argentina
Colombia
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.02ARS 1,543
$1.12COP 3,553
-8.93%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$27.91ARS 42.3K
$61.0COP 193.5K
-54.26%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.57ARS 2,386
$2.14COP 6,795
-26.64%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.98ARS 1,489
$2.05COP 6,494
-52.20%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.44ARS 11.3K
$8.17COP 25.9K
-8.94%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27ARS 1,928
$1.33COP 4,222
-4.51%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.6KARS 40.4M
$26.7KCOP 84.7M
-0.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.6KARS 51.0M
$34.9KCOP 110.6M
-3.68%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Argentina
Colombia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$137ARS 208.4K
$133COP 421.3K
3.38%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.27ARS 26.2K
$13.39COP 42.4K
28.98%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.41ARS 38.6K
$28.78COP 91.2K
-11.71%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Argentina
Colombia
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$34.76ARS 52.7K
$35.90COP 113.8K
-3.18%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.57ARS 28.2K
$17.09COP 54.2K
8.66%
Cinema Ticket
$9.99ARS 15.2K
$6.31COP 20.0K
58.32%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Argentina
Colombia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$332ARS 504.0K
$670COP 2.1M
-50.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,258ARS 9.5M
$8,281COP 26.3M
-24.43%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Argentina
Colombia
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$109ARS 165.5K
$75.2COP 238.3K
45.11%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$85.5ARS 129.7K
$53.4COP 169.4K
59.96%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$121ARS 183.6K
$138COP 438.5K
-12.54%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122ARS 184.5K
$106COP 336.1K
14.72%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Argentina
Colombia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$538ARS 817.1K
$695COP 2.2M
-22.55%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$372ARS 564.6K
$429COP 1.4M
-13.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,097ARS 1.7M
$1,246COP 4.0M
-11.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$804ARS 1.2M
$835COP 2.6M
-3.71%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,181ARS 3.3M
$2,463COP 7.8M
-11.46%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,454ARS 2.2M
$1,551COP 4.9M
-6.23%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Argentina
Colombia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$786ARS 1.2M
$602COP 1.9M
30.61%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
58.21
12.51
365.31%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Argentina: October 13, 2026
Last update for Colombia: October 11, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
🏠Accommodation & Living
Argentina
$372 27.7%
Colombia
$429 32.5% ↑ 15.3%$57
🛒Groceries & Markets
Argentina
$263 19.6%
Colombia
$266 20.2% ↑ 1%$2.7
🍽Eating Out
Argentina
$239 17.8%
Colombia
$155 11.7% ↓ 35.2%$84
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Argentina
$197 14.6%
Colombia
$168 12.7% ↓ 14.7%$29
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Argentina
$180 13.4%
Colombia
$175 13.3% ↓ 2.8%$5
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Argentina
$55 4.1%
Colombia
$49 3.7% ↓ 11.4%$6.2
🚌Getting Around
Argentina
$38 2.9%
Colombia
$78 5.9% ↑ 103%$39
🏠Accommodation & Living
Argentina
$804 26.7%
Colombia
$835 29.6% ↑ 3.9%$31
🛒Groceries & Markets
Argentina
$609 20.2%
Colombia
$611 21.7% ↑ 0.3%$2.1
🍽Eating Out
Argentina
$753 25.1%
Colombia
$538 19.1% ↓ 28.6%$216
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Argentina
$437 14.5%
Colombia
$373 13.2% ↓ 14.7%$64
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Argentina
$197 6.6%
Colombia
$188 6.7% ↓ 4.5%$8.9
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Argentina
$128 4.3%
Colombia
$114 4.1% ↓ 10.9%$14
🚌Getting Around
Argentina
$79 2.6%
Colombia
$158 5.6% ↑ 100%$79
Cost Breakdown
🏠National rent averages: $515 in Argentina, $640 in Colombia. Capital cities: $756 in Buenos Aires vs $803 in Bogota.
💰National salary averages: $799 in Argentina, $633 in Colombia. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 24% higher in Colombia.
⭐Dining out costs 21% more in Argentina.
⭐Public transport is 250% more expensive in Colombia.
⭐Salaries are 26% higher in Argentina, and purchasing power comes out stronger in Argentina.
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 Colombia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost difference between Argentina and Colombia?
At $1,344 per month in Argentina and $1,319 in Colombia, there's a 2% gap. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.
Does the cost gap hold in every spending category?
Overall, Colombia is the cheaper option, but not in every category: rent, groceries, transport, and eating out each follow their own pattern. Check the categories you spend the most on before deciding.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget in Argentina or in Colombia?
In Colombia, $2,000 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 Colombia?
It depends on what you're after: Colombia wins on affordability; Argentina may offer higher salaries, better infrastructure, and different cultural perks. Both attract large expat communities for different reasons.