πA single person spends $1,079 per month in Arica vs $1,053 in Concepcion, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,659 per month in Arica vs $1,621 in Concepcion, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,239 per month in Arica vs $2,188 in Concepcion, rent included.
πArica costs about 2% more than Concepcion, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Arica and Concepcion are more affordable than the global median β Arica19% lower, Concepcion21% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Arica
Concepcion
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.42CLPΒ 7,477
$7.61CLPΒ 6,758
10.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.91CLPΒ 39.9K
$44.94CLPΒ 39.9K
-0.07%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.10CLPΒ 7,191
$8.62CLPΒ 7,652
-6.03%
Cappuccino
$2.72CLPΒ 2,414
$2.61CLPΒ 2,320
4.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.30CLPΒ 1,150
$1.43CLPΒ 1,268
-9.09%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07CLPΒ 950
$1.10CLPΒ 978
-2.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.19CLPΒ 2,832
$3.94CLPΒ 3,493
-19.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.06CLPΒ 3,605
$3.91CLPΒ 3,468
3.84%
π Groceries & Markets
Arica
Concepcion
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.20CLPΒ 1,065
$1.32CLPΒ 1,169
-9.09%
White Bread(500g)
$1.49CLPΒ 1,326
$1.49CLPΒ 1,322
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.86CLPΒ 1,654
$1.53CLPΒ 1,358
21.57%
Eggs
$3.50CLPΒ 3,103
$3.82CLPΒ 3,392
-8.38%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.37CLPΒ 9,201
$11.56CLPΒ 10.3K
-10.29%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.55CLPΒ 5,811
$6.79CLPΒ 6,030
-3.53%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.79CLPΒ 9,574
$12.01CLPΒ 10.7K
-10.16%
Apples(1kg)
$1.80CLPΒ 1,593
$1.58CLPΒ 1,406
13.92%
Banana(1kg)
$1.57CLPΒ 1,390
$1.34CLPΒ 1,192
17.16%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.57CLPΒ 1,394
$1.54CLPΒ 1,363
1.95%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.50CLPΒ 1,331
$1.53CLPΒ 1,357
-1.96%
Potato(1kg)
$1.29CLPΒ 1,143
$1.13CLPΒ 1,004
14.16%
Onion(1kg)
$1.40CLPΒ 1,246
$1.35CLPΒ 1,202
3.70%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.23CLPΒ 1,090
$1.12CLPΒ 997
9.82%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.17CLPΒ 1,036
$1.21CLPΒ 1,074
-3.31%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.55CLPΒ 4,923
$5.53CLPΒ 4,907
0.36%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.27CLPΒ 4,681
$5.38CLPΒ 4,774
-2.04%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.62CLPΒ 1,435
$1.05CLPΒ 932
54.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.30CLPΒ 2,043
$1.81CLPΒ 1,609
27.07%
π Getting Around
Arica
Concepcion
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.62CLPΒ 554
$0.61CLPΒ 542
1.64%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$34.11CLPΒ 30.3K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.50CLPΒ 447
$1.26CLPΒ 1,116
-60.32%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$2.27CLPΒ 2,019
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$13.08CLPΒ 11.6K
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.39CLPΒ 1,232
$1.37CLPΒ 1,217
1.46%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.4KCLPΒ 17.2M
$20.4KCLPΒ 18.1M
-5.04%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.4KCLPΒ 19.0M
$25.2KCLPΒ 22.3M
-15.12%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Arica
Concepcion
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$132CLPΒ 117.3K
$104CLPΒ 92.7K
26.58%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.47CLPΒ 12.0K
$12.85CLPΒ 11.4K
4.82%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.22CLPΒ 19.7K
$27.54CLPΒ 24.4K
-19.32%
π Sport & Entertainment
Arica
Concepcion
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$38.02CLPΒ 33.7K
$27.94CLPΒ 24.8K
36.08%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.58CLPΒ 19.2K
$10.81CLPΒ 9,598
99.63%
Cinema Ticket
$5.56CLPΒ 4,934
$5.89CLPΒ 5,231
-5.60%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Arica
Concepcion
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$431CLPΒ 382.4K
$342CLPΒ 303.6K
25.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$4,579CLPΒ 4.1M
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Arica
Concepcion
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.70CLPΒ 44.1K
$44.62CLPΒ 39.6K
11.39%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.13CLPΒ 26.7K
$27.82CLPΒ 24.7K
8.30%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$56.2CLPΒ 49.9K
$60.2CLPΒ 53.5K
-6.76%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.8CLPΒ 71.7K
$69.1CLPΒ 61.3K
16.99%
π Accommodation & Living
Arica
Concepcion
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$485CLPΒ 430.4K
$466CLPΒ 413.9K
3.99%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$372CLPΒ 330.2K
$360CLPΒ 319.2K
3.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$895CLPΒ 794.1K
$934CLPΒ 829.3K
-4.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$605CLPΒ 536.6K
$592CLPΒ 525.2K
2.17%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,294CLPΒ 2.0M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,989CLPΒ 1.8M
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Arica
Concepcion
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$571CLPΒ 507.1K
$582CLPΒ 516.7K
-1.86%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.18
5.3
-2.26%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Arica: May 31, 2026
Last update for Concepcion: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $485 in Arica versus $466 in Concepcion. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 2% higher in Concepcion, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $45.00 in Arica versus $45.00 in Concepcion. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $226 vs $229 β making Arica the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Arica vs Concepcion: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Arica and Concepcion compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,079 in Arica, $1,053 in Concepcion β roughly 2% apart. Arica costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Arica compared to Concepcion?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,619 per month in Arica and $1,580 in Concepcion. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Arica and Concepcion?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Concepcion, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Interestingly, groceries are about 1% cheaper in Arica β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Concepcion, where all-in costs run around $1,053, than in Arica at $1,079. In Concepcion it covers expenses comfortably, while in Arica it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Where should families live: Arica or Concepcion?
Families tend to lean toward Concepcion β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How do I decide between Arica and Concepcion?
If budget matters most, go with Concepcion. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Arica makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.