Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Bariloche and Mendoza

For one person, living is cheaper in Mendoza: $1,387 a month against $1,646 in Bariloche, rent and utilities included – about $3,100 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Bariloche outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Bariloche
🇦🇷 Argentina
$1,646
/mo nomad
Mendoza
🇦🇷 Argentina
$1,387
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Bariloche and in Mendoza

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Bariloche and in Mendoza actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,646 in Bariloche versus $1,387 in Mendoza.

  • Bariloche $1,646
  • Mendoza $1,387

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,531 in Bariloche versus $2,185 in Mendoza.

  • Bariloche $2,531
  • Mendoza $2,185

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,416 in Bariloche versus $2,984 in Mendoza.

  • Bariloche $3,416
  • Mendoza $2,984

Living in Bariloche is roughly 19% more expensive than in Mendoza, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Bariloche 22% above, Mendoza 3% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bariloche
Mendoza
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.33 ARS 30.8K
$10.98 ARS 16.7K
85.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$59.1 ARS 89.7K
$49.80 ARS 75.6K
18.76%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$14.16 ARS 21.5K
$14.36 ARS 21.8K
-1.39%
Cappuccino
$3.93 ARS 5,968
$4.54 ARS 6,896
-13.44%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.68 ARS 2,548
$2.32 ARS 3,517
-27.59%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.84 ARS 2,786
$1.94 ARS 2,949
-5.15%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.36 ARS 8,131
$4.08 ARS 6,191
31.37%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.56 ARS 6,916
$4.46 ARS 6,775
2.24%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bariloche
Mendoza
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.38 ARS 2,097
$1.38 ARS 2,102
-
White Bread (500g)
$2.12 ARS 3,223
$2.21 ARS 3,358
-4.07%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.53 ARS 2,317
$2.66 ARS 4,034
-42.48%
Eggs
$2.67 ARS 4,052
$3.19 ARS 4,836
-16.30%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.14 ARS 23.0K
$14.72 ARS 22.3K
2.85%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.35 ARS 15.7K
$6.23 ARS 9,447
66.13%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.30 ARS 20.2K
$11.05 ARS 16.8K
20.36%
Apples (1kg)
$2.39 ARS 3,632
$2.29 ARS 3,478
4.37%
Banana (1kg)
$2.59 ARS 3,934
$2.23 ARS 3,386
16.14%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.93 ARS 2,931
$1.34 ARS 2,036
44.03%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.64 ARS 4,002
$3.28 ARS 4,974
-19.51%
Potato (1kg)
$0.98 ARS 1,492
$2.02 ARS 3,067
-51.49%
Onion (1kg)
$0.76 ARS 1,148
$1.49 ARS 2,268
-48.99%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.05 ARS 3,115
$2.03 ARS 3,074
0.99%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.28 ARS 1,947
$2.47 ARS 3,743
-48.18%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.92 ARS 4,430
$2.82 ARS 4,275
3.55%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.48 ARS 11.3K
$5.08 ARS 7,712
47.24%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.82 ARS 2,761
$1.72 ARS 2,608
5.81%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.97 ARS 6,017
$3.02 ARS 4,583
31.46%
🚌 Getting Around
Bariloche
Mendoza
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.01 ARS 1,539
$0.98 ARS 1,486
3.06%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$19.73 ARS 29.9K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.99 ARS 1,505
$2.02 ARS 3,059
-50.99%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$0.99 ARS 1,495
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$4.82 ARS 7,318
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.05 ARS 1,597
$1.25 ARS 1,897
-16.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.0K ARS 30.3M
$27.6K ARS 41.9M
-27.56%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.3K ARS 49.1M
$33.0K ARS 50.1M
-2.10%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bariloche
Mendoza
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$84.0 ARS 127.4K
$144 ARS 218.4K
-41.66%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.75 ARS 25.4K
$17.72 ARS 26.9K
-5.47%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.11 ARS 36.6K
$23.92 ARS 36.3K
0.79%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bariloche
Mendoza
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$49.66 ARS 75.4K
$32.32 ARS 49.0K
53.65%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$39.87 ARS 60.5K
$18.07 ARS 27.4K
120.64%
Cinema Ticket
$8.25 ARS 12.5K
$7.10 ARS 10.8K
16.20%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bariloche
Mendoza
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$296 ARS 449.9K
$176 ARS 266.3K
68.93%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,242 ARS 6.4M
$4,178 ARS 6.3M
1.53%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bariloche
Mendoza
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$74.2 ARS 112.5K
$127 ARS 192.2K
-41.42%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.27 ARS 59.6K
$141 ARS 214.2K
-72.17%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$112 ARS 170.0K
$144 ARS 217.9K
-21.95%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$96.3 ARS 146.2K
$157 ARS 238.0K
-38.59%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bariloche
Mendoza
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,278 ARS 1.9M
$553 ARS 838.5K
131.31%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$706 ARS 1.1M
$350 ARS 531.6K
101.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,195 ARS 1.8M
$993 ARS 1.5M
20.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,171 ARS 1.8M
$680 ARS 1.0M
72.33%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,030 ARS 4.6M
$1,751 ARS 2.7M
73.06%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,498 ARS 3.8M
$1,141 ARS 1.7M
119.01%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bariloche
Mendoza
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$953 ARS 1.4M
$766 ARS 1.2M
24.35%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
90
59
52.54%

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

Last update for Bariloche: October 12, 2026

Last update for Mendoza: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Bariloche
$706
Mendoza
$350 50.4% $356
Eating Out
Bariloche
$302
Mendoza
$232 23.3% $70
Groceries & Markets
Bariloche
$297
Mendoza
$286 3.8% $11
Clothing & Footwear
Bariloche
$145
Mendoza
$256 76.6% $111
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bariloche
$125
Mendoza
$186 48.7% $61
Sport & Entertainment
Bariloche
$66
Mendoza
$47 29.7% $20
Getting Around
Bariloche
$5.1 *
Mendoza
$31 506% $26

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,278 in Bariloche and $553 in Mendoza. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Bariloche pays 24% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $59.0 in Bariloche vs $50.0 in Mendoza for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $297 vs $286 per month, with Mendoza cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇦🇷 Bariloche
🇦🇷 Mendoza
🕒 Local time
16:36 4:36 PM
16:36 4:36 PM
Same time as Bariloche
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
135,755
937,154
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to ARS – Argentine Peso Converter

Argentine Peso exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 1,517 ARS (10,000 ARS = 6.59 USD). 1 EUR = 1,706 ARS (10,000 ARS = 5.86 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Bariloche Mendoza 940 km ≈ 1 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Bariloche
  • Mendoza

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
Bariloche vs Mendoza: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mendoza cheaper than Bariloche?
Mendoza is cheaper overall, especially in eating out, groceries, and leisure. The 19% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Bariloche or Mendoza?
Average pay runs 24% higher in Bariloche, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Bariloche and Mendoza?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,278 in Bariloche versus $553 in Mendoza. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $296 in Bariloche versus $176 in Mendoza. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is eating out cheaper in Bariloche or in Mendoza?
Dining out is cheaper in Mendoza – a meal for two runs $50.0 versus $59.0 in Bariloche. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Bariloche or in Mendoza?
At $1,387 in Mendoza versus $1,646 in Bariloche, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Mendoza but tight or insufficient in Bariloche. The gap between the two cities makes Mendoza the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Bariloche or Mendoza more family-friendly?
For families, Mendoza is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Bariloche, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Bariloche or Mendoza?
Safety-wise, Bariloche and Mendoza are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Mendoza gentler on the wallet – expenses run 19% less than in Bariloche. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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