Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Buenos Aires and Bålsta

For one person, living is cheaper in Bålsta: $1,547 a month against $1,656 in Buenos Aires, rent and utilities included – about $1,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Buenos Aires
🇦🇷 Argentina
$1,656
/mo nomad
Bålsta
🇸🇪 Sweden
$1,547
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

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 Bålsta actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,656 in Buenos Aires versus $1,547 in Bålsta.

  • Buenos Aires $1,656
  • Bålsta $1,547

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,697 in Buenos Aires versus $2,416 in Bålsta.

  • Buenos Aires $2,697
  • Bålsta $2,416

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,737 in Buenos Aires versus $3,286 in Bålsta.

  • Buenos Aires $3,737
  • Bålsta $3,286

Living in Buenos Aires is roughly 7% more expensive than in Bålsta, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Buenos Aires 23% above, Bålsta 15% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Buenos Aires
Bålsta
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.09 ARS 29.0K
$13.80 SEK 137
38.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$65.8 ARS 99.9K
$65.1 SEK 645
1.15%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.20 ARS 20.0K
$8.62 SEK 85.5
53.13%
Cappuccino
$3.85 ARS 5,841
$3.89 SEK 38.56
-1.03%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99 ARS 3,020
$2.65 SEK 26.21
-24.91%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.60 ARS 2,430
$2.22 SEK 22.00
-27.93%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.93 ARS 5,959
$6.90 SEK 68.4
-43.04%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.61 ARS 7,003
$6.82 SEK 67.6
-32.40%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Buenos Aires
Bålsta
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.50 ARS 2,272
$1.53 SEK 15.16
-1.96%
White Bread (500g)
$2.53 ARS 3,837
$2.02 SEK 20.04
25.25%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.61 ARS 2,445
$3.56 SEK 35.31
-54.78%
Eggs
$2.84 ARS 4,316
$3.62 SEK 35.86
-21.55%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.30 ARS 15.6K
$10.93 SEK 108
-5.76%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.00 ARS 15.2K
$12.00 SEK 119
-16.67%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.30 ARS 20.2K
$10.92 SEK 108
21.79%
Apples (1kg)
$2.88 ARS 4,366
$2.44 SEK 24.15
18.03%
Banana (1kg)
$2.20 ARS 3,334
$2.55 SEK 25.30
-13.73%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.40 ARS 2,120
$1.93 SEK 19.13
-27.46%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.98 ARS 3,004
$2.73 SEK 27.06
-27.47%
Potato (1kg)
$1.21 ARS 1,835
$1.46 SEK 14.42
-17.12%
Onion (1kg)
$1.26 ARS 1,910
$1.22 SEK 12.07
3.28%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.71 ARS 2,592
$1.51 SEK 14.94
13.25%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.72 ARS 2,603
$0.98 SEK 9.70
75.51%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.29 ARS 6,505
$7.18 SEK 71.2
-40.25%
Wine (Bottle)
$5.70 ARS 8,645
$9.74 SEK 96.5
-41.48%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.17 ARS 3,288
$1.53 SEK 15.16
41.83%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.76 ARS 4,188
$2.01 SEK 19.88
37.31%
🚌 Getting Around
Buenos Aires
Bålsta
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.75 ARS 1,141
$3.19 SEK 31.62
-76.49%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$27.27 ARS 41.4K
$78.0 SEK 773
-65.04%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.57 ARS 2,375
$5.81 SEK 57.6
-72.98%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.03 ARS 1,558
$1.51 SEK 15.00
-31.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.90 ARS 12.0K
$78.0 SEK 773
-89.87%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.42 ARS 2,160
$1.75 SEK 17.37
-18.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.9K ARS 42.4M
$32.9K SEK 325.8K
-15.00%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.0K ARS 53.1M
$32.0K SEK 317.3K
9.20%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Buenos Aires
Bålsta
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$195 ARS 296.2K
$49.58 SEK 491
293.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.16 ARS 38.2K
$20.01 SEK 198
25.74%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.54 ARS 47.9K
$39.64 SEK 393
-20.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Buenos Aires
Bålsta
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$50.9 ARS 77.3K
$38.01 SEK 377
33.96%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.73 ARS 25.4K
$25.77 SEK 255
-35.08%
Cinema Ticket
$10.34 ARS 15.7K
$12.98 SEK 129
-20.34%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Buenos Aires
Bålsta
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$463 ARS 703.2K
$121 SEK 1,194
284.52%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,793 ARS 13.3M
$4,908 SEK 48.6K
79.17%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Buenos Aires
Bålsta
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$120 ARS 181.8K
$70.8 SEK 701
69.37%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$95.5 ARS 144.9K
$10.12 SEK 100
843.48%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$114 ARS 173.1K
$81.0 SEK 803
40.79%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$139 ARS 211.4K
$110 SEK 1,087
26.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Buenos Aires
Bålsta
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$756 ARS 1.1M
$794 SEK 7,862
-4.69%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$520 ARS 788.8K
$602 SEK 5,966
-13.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,590 ARS 2.4M
$1,359 SEK 13.5K
17.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,198 ARS 1.8M
$1,014 SEK 10.1K
18.13%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,713 ARS 4.1M
$3,972 SEK 39.4K
-31.69%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,901 ARS 2.9M
$2,805 SEK 27.8K
-32.23%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Buenos Aires
Bålsta
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$938 ARS 1.4M
$3,866 SEK 38.3K
-75.75%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
57.25
2.8
1944.64%

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

Last update for Buenos Aires: October 11, 2026

Last update for Bålsta: October 13, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Buenos Aires
$520
Bålsta
$602 15.8% $82
Groceries & Markets
Buenos Aires
$283
Bålsta
$294 3.9% $11
Eating Out
Buenos Aires
$282
Bålsta
$251 11.1% $31
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Buenos Aires
$252
Bålsta
$109 56.6% $143
Clothing & Footwear
Buenos Aires
$211
Bålsta
$122 42% $89
Sport & Entertainment
Buenos Aires
$72
Bålsta
$64 10.7% $7.6
Getting Around
Buenos Aires
$37
Bålsta
$104 182% $67

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $756 in Buenos Aires and $794 in Bålsta. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Bålsta pays 312% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $66.0 in Buenos Aires vs $65.0 in Bålsta. Groceries flip the comparison at $283 vs $294, with Buenos Aires cheaper for home cooking.

Good to know
🇦🇷 Buenos Aires
🇸🇪 Bålsta
🕒 Local time
08:26 8:26 AM
13:26 1:26 PM
5 h ahead of Buenos Aires
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,891,082 Capital
13,138
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

SEK, 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).

Swedish Krona exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 9.91 SEK (1 SEK = 0.101 USD). 1 EUR = 11.14 SEK (100 SEK = 8.98 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Buenos Aires Bålsta 12,550 km ≈ 16 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Buenos Aires
  • Bålsta

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 Bålsta: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Buenos Aires or Bålsta?
Bålsta wins on cost – living expenses run 7% lower than in Buenos Aires. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Bålsta the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Buenos Aires or in Bålsta?
On paper, salaries run 312% lower in Bålsta. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Buenos Aires compared to Bålsta?
Rent for a central apartment: $756 in Buenos Aires versus $794 in Bålsta. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Buenos Aires compared to Bålsta?
All in, you'll spend $1,656 per month in Buenos Aires versus $1,547 in Bålsta – a 7% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Buenos Aires compared to Bålsta?
A monthly transit pass in Bålsta runs roughly 186% less than in Buenos Aires. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Buenos Aires or in Bålsta?
At $1,547 in Bålsta versus $1,656 in Buenos Aires, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Bålsta but tight or insufficient in Buenos Aires. The gap between the two cities makes Bålsta the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Buenos Aires or Bålsta?
Both work as nomad bases, but Bålsta delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,547 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Bålsta hard to pass up.
How safe is Buenos Aires compared to Bålsta?
Safety-wise, Buenos Aires and Bålsta 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Bålsta gentler on the wallet – expenses run 7% less than in Buenos Aires. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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