Cost of Living Comparison Between Arica and Valdivia Cost of Living Comparison Between Arica and Valdivia

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $116 per month in Arica vs $1,068 in Valdivia, rent included.

A couple spends around $188 per month in Arica vs $1,602 in Valdivia, rent included.

A family of three spends $261 per month in Arica vs $2,135 in Valdivia, rent included.

Arica is about 89% cheaper than Valdivia, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Arica and Valdivia are more affordable than the global median – Arica 92% lower, Valdivia 22% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Arica
Valdivia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$6.71 CLP 6,270
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$47.54 CLP 44.4K
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$6.86 CLP 6,407
-
Cappuccino
-
$2.25 CLP 2,099
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.06 CLP 1,926
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.25 CLP 1,171
$1.30 CLP 1,215
-3.85%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$3.78 CLP 3,526
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.67 CLP 3,426
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Arica
Valdivia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.09 CLP 1,020
$1.18 CLP 1,105
-7.63%
White Bread (500g)
-
$1.35 CLP 1,259
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
-
$1.62 CLP 1,512
-
Eggs
-
$3.05 CLP 2,850
-
Local Cheese (1kg)
-
$9.33 CLP 8,710
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
-
$6.88 CLP 6,426
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
-
$13.03 CLP 12.2K
-
Apples (1kg)
-
$2.21 CLP 2,062
-
Banana (1kg)
-
$2.01 CLP 1,872
-
Oranges (1kg)
-
$1.83 CLP 1,710
-
Tomato (1kg)
-
$1.87 CLP 1,750
-
Potato (1kg)
-
$2.48 CLP 2,320
-
Onion (1kg)
-
$1.56 CLP 1,458
-
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$1.48 CLP 1,381
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.20 CLP 1,118
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
-
$5.44 CLP 5,075
-
Wine (Bottle)
-
$4.79 CLP 4,473
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.55 CLP 1,448
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.21 CLP 2,064
-
🚌 Getting Around
Arica
Valdivia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.77 CLP 715
$0.62 CLP 580
24.19%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
-
$1.00 CLP 937
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
-
$1.49 CLP 1,388
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$15.6K CLP 14.6M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$18.5K CLP 17.3M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Arica
Valdivia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
-
$94.9 CLP 88.6K
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$14.00 CLP 13.1K
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$31.86 CLP 29.7K
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Arica
Valdivia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$41.99 CLP 39.2K
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$24.40 CLP 22.8K
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$4.80 CLP 4,479
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Arica
Valdivia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$260 CLP 242.5K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$3,258 CLP 3.0M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Arica
Valdivia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.81 CLP 40.0K
$53.9 CLP 50.3K
-20.60%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.15 CLP 19.7K
$18.59 CLP 17.4K
13.77%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$57.2 CLP 53.4K
$51.6 CLP 48.2K
10.71%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$97.8 CLP 91.4K
$79.3 CLP 74.1K
23.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Arica
Valdivia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$608 CLP 567.6K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$394 CLP 368.2K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,028 CLP 959.8K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$598 CLP 558.0K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$4,608 CLP 4.3M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Arica
Valdivia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$538 CLP 502.2K
$653 CLP 609.9K
-17.66%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5
4.5
11.11%

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

Last update for Arica: September 1, 2026

Last update for Valdivia: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 21% higher in Valdivia, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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 Valdivia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Arica and in Valdivia compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $116 in Arica, $1,068 in Valdivia – roughly 823% apart. Valdivia costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Arica compared to Valdivia?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $174 per month in Arica and $1,603 in Valdivia. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city is more expensive overall: Arica or Valdivia?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $116 in Arica and $1,068 in Valdivia. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 2079% more in Valdivia, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Arica, where all-in costs run around $116, than in Valdivia at $1,068. In Arica it covers expenses comfortably, while in Valdivia it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Where should families live: Arica or Valdivia?
Families tend to lean toward Arica – 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 Valdivia?
If budget matters most, go with Arica. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Valdivia makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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