Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Buenos Aires and 'ali

For one person, living is cheaper in 'ali: $818 a month against $1,656 in Buenos Aires, rent and utilities included – about $10,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Buenos Aires
🇦🇷 Argentina
$1,656
/mo nomad
'ali
🇧🇭 Bahrain
$818
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Buenos Aires and in 'ali

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

A single person spends $1,656 per month in Buenos Aires vs $818 in 'ali, rent included.

  • Buenos Aires $1,656
  • 'ali $818

A couple spends around $2,697 per month in Buenos Aires vs $1,299 in 'ali, rent included.

  • Buenos Aires $2,697
  • 'ali $1,299

A family of three spends $3,737 per month in Buenos Aires vs $1,779 in 'ali, rent included.

  • Buenos Aires $3,737
  • 'ali $1,779

Buenos Aires costs about 102% more than 'ali, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Buenos Aires sits 23% above the global median, while 'ali is 39% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Buenos Aires
'ali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.09 ARS 28.9K
$5.36 BHD 2.02
256.16%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$65.8 ARS 99.5K
$53.3 BHD 20.14
23.36%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.20 ARS 20.0K
$7.44 BHD 2.81
77.42%
Cappuccino
$3.85 ARS 5,821
$5.01 BHD 1.89
-23.15%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99 ARS 3,010
$0.90 BHD 0.34
121.11%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.60 ARS 2,422
$0.30 BHD 0.11
433.33%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.93 ARS 5,940
$6.73 BHD 2.54
-41.60%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.61 ARS 6,979
$10.18 BHD 3.84
-54.72%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Buenos Aires
'ali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.50 ARS 2,264
$1.42 BHD 0.54
5.63%
White Bread (500g)
$2.53 ARS 3,825
$1.07 BHD 0.40
136.45%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.61 ARS 2,437
$2.26 BHD 0.85
-28.76%
Eggs
$2.84 ARS 4,302
$2.22 BHD 0.84
27.93%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.30 ARS 15.6K
$8.64 BHD 3.26
19.21%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.00 ARS 15.1K
$6.45 BHD 2.44
55.04%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.30 ARS 20.1K
$8.86 BHD 3.34
50.11%
Apples (1kg)
$2.88 ARS 4,351
$2.30 BHD 0.87
25.22%
Banana (1kg)
$2.20 ARS 3,323
$2.31 BHD 0.87
-4.76%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.40 ARS 2,113
$1.92 BHD 0.73
-27.08%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.98 ARS 2,994
$1.40 BHD 0.53
41.43%
Potato (1kg)
$1.21 ARS 1,829
$1.04 BHD 0.39
16.35%
Onion (1kg)
$1.26 ARS 1,904
$1.35 BHD 0.51
-6.67%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.71 ARS 2,583
$1.50 BHD 0.57
14.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.72 ARS 2,595
$0.78 BHD 0.30
120.51%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.29 ARS 6,484
$5.32 BHD 2.01
-19.36%
Wine (Bottle)
$5.70 ARS 8,617
$18.80 BHD 7.10
-69.68%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.17 ARS 3,277
$3.61 BHD 1.36
-39.89%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.76 ARS 4,174
$2.57 BHD 0.97
7.39%
🚌 Getting Around
Buenos Aires
'ali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.75 ARS 1,137
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$27.27 ARS 41.3K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.57 ARS 2,367
$5.42 BHD 2.05
-71.03%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.03 ARS 1,553
$3.46 BHD 1.31
-70.23%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.90 ARS 11.9K
$15.80 BHD 5.96
-50.00%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.42 ARS 2,153
$0.70 BHD 0.26
102.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.9K ARS 42.3M
$36.7K BHD 13.9K
-23.87%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.0K ARS 52.9M
$20.1K BHD 7,594
73.85%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Buenos Aires
'ali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$195 ARS 295.2K
$151 BHD 57.0
29.37%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.16 ARS 38.0K
$24.17 BHD 9.12
4.10%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.54 ARS 47.7K
$35.75 BHD 13.50
-11.78%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Buenos Aires
'ali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$50.9 ARS 77.0K
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.73 ARS 25.3K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.34 ARS 15.6K
$10.67 BHD 4.03
-3.09%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Buenos Aires
'ali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$463 ARS 700.9K
$495 BHD 187
-6.30%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,793 ARS 13.3M
$11.2K BHD 4,229
-21.51%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Buenos Aires
'ali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$120 ARS 181.2K
$51.9 BHD 19.59
130.98%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$95.5 ARS 144.4K
$57.3 BHD 21.63
66.63%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$114 ARS 172.6K
$89.2 BHD 33.67
27.93%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$139 ARS 210.7K
$89.2 BHD 33.67
56.17%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Buenos Aires
'ali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$756 ARS 1.1M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$520 ARS 786.2K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,590 ARS 2.4M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,198 ARS 1.8M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,713 ARS 4.1M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,901 ARS 2.9M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Buenos Aires
'ali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$938 ARS 1.4M
$3,823 BHD 1,443
-75.47%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
57.25
6.21
821.90%

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

Last update for Buenos Aires: October 11, 2026

Last update for 'ali: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Buenos Aires
$520
'ali
- * 100%
Groceries & Markets
Buenos Aires
$283
'ali
$250 11.9% $34
Eating Out
Buenos Aires
$282
'ali
$184 34.7% $98
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Buenos Aires
$252
'ali
$211 16.3% $41
Clothing & Footwear
Buenos Aires
$211
'ali
$129 38.6% $82
Sport & Entertainment
Buenos Aires
$72
'ali
$21 * 70.2% $50
Getting Around
Buenos Aires
$37
'ali
$23 * 38.6% $14

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

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 308% higher in 'ali, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $66.0 in Buenos Aires versus $53.0 in 'ali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $283 vs $250 – making 'ali the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇦🇷 Buenos Aires
🇧🇭 'ali
🕒 Local time
23:09 11:09 PM
05:09 5:09 AM
6 h ahead of Buenos Aires
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,891,082 Capital
100,553
💱 Currency
Bahraini Dinar BHD .د.ب
Exchange rates and currency converter

BHD, USD, EUR to ARS – Argentine Peso Converter

Argentine Peso exchange rates as of October 14, 2026: 1 USD = 1,513 ARS (10,000 ARS = 6.61 USD). 1 EUR = 1,693 ARS (10,000 ARS = 5.91 EUR).

Bahraini Dinar exchange rates as of October 14, 2026: 1 USD = 0.377 BHD (1 BHD = 2.65 USD). 1 EUR = 0.422 BHD (1 BHD = 2.37 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Buenos Aires 'ali 13,270 km ≈ 17 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Buenos Aires
  • 'ali

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
Buenos Aires vs 'ali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'ali cheaper than Buenos Aires?
Yes – Buenos Aires is pricier by about 102%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in eating out.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,484 per month in Buenos Aires and $1,227 in 'ali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Is eating out cheaper in Buenos Aires or in 'ali?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $66.0 in Buenos Aires and $53.0 in 'ali. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Buenos Aires and in 'ali?
Groceries cost about 13% more in Buenos Aires, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Buenos Aires or in 'ali?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in 'ali, where all-in costs run around $818, than in Buenos Aires at $1,656. In 'ali it covers expenses comfortably, while in Buenos Aires it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Buenos Aires or 'ali more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward 'ali – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Buenos Aires or 'ali?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with 'ali. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Buenos Aires makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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