Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Buenos Aires and Markham

For one person, living is cheaper in Buenos Aires: $1,656 a month against $2,416 in Markham, rent and utilities included – about $9,100 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Markham outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Buenos Aires
🇦🇷 Argentina
$1,656
/mo nomad
Markham
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,416
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,656 in Buenos Aires versus $2,416 in Markham.

  • Buenos Aires $1,656
  • Markham $2,416

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,697 in Buenos Aires versus $3,465 in Markham.

  • Buenos Aires $2,697
  • Markham $3,465

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,737 in Buenos Aires versus $4,514 in Markham.

  • Buenos Aires $3,737
  • Markham $4,514

Living in Buenos Aires costs roughly 31% less than in Markham, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Buenos Aires 23% above, Markham 79% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Buenos Aires
Markham
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.09 ARS 28.9K
$17.37 CA$24.70
9.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$65.8 ARS 99.5K
$53.4 CA$76.0
23.13%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.20 ARS 20.0K
$10.47 CA$14.89
26.07%
Cappuccino
$3.85 ARS 5,821
$3.81 CA$5.42
1.05%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99 ARS 3,010
$1.70 CA$2.42
17.06%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.60 ARS 2,422
$1.17 CA$1.67
36.75%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.93 ARS 5,940
$3.59 CA$5.10
9.47%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.61 ARS 6,979
$5.62 CA$7.99
-17.97%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Buenos Aires
Markham
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.50 ARS 2,264
$1.94 CA$2.76
-22.68%
White Bread (500g)
$2.53 ARS 3,825
$2.22 CA$3.16
13.96%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.61 ARS 2,437
$1.90 CA$2.70
-15.26%
Eggs
$2.84 ARS 4,302
$2.99 CA$4.25
-5.02%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.30 ARS 15.6K
-
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.00 ARS 15.1K
$11.70 CA$16.64
-14.53%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.30 ARS 20.1K
$6.81 CA$9.68
95.30%
Apples (1kg)
$2.88 ARS 4,351
$3.69 CA$5.25
-21.95%
Banana (1kg)
$2.20 ARS 3,323
$1.26 CA$1.80
74.60%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.40 ARS 2,113
$2.33 CA$3.31
-39.91%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.98 ARS 2,994
$3.26 CA$4.63
-39.26%
Potato (1kg)
$1.21 ARS 1,829
$2.05 CA$2.92
-40.98%
Onion (1kg)
$1.26 ARS 1,904
$1.96 CA$2.79
-35.71%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.71 ARS 2,583
$2.87 CA$4.08
-40.42%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.72 ARS 2,595
$1.48 CA$2.11
16.22%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.29 ARS 6,484
$13.44 CA$19.11
-68.08%
Wine (Bottle)
$5.70 ARS 8,617
$14.53 CA$20.66
-60.77%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.17 ARS 3,277
$2.40 CA$3.41
-9.58%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.76 ARS 4,174
$3.19 CA$4.54
-13.48%
🚌 Getting Around
Buenos Aires
Markham
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.75 ARS 1,137
$3.04 CA$4.32
-75.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$27.27 ARS 41.3K
$89.3 CA$127
-69.47%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.57 ARS 2,367
$3.31 CA$4.71
-52.57%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.03 ARS 1,553
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.90 ARS 11.9K
$18.60 CA$26.44
-57.53%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.42 ARS 2,153
$1.13 CA$1.61
25.66%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.9K ARS 42.3M
$28.1K CA$40.0K
-0.59%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.0K ARS 52.9M
$18.1K CA$25.8K
92.94%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Buenos Aires
Markham
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$195 ARS 295.2K
$125 CA$178
55.66%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.16 ARS 38.0K
$26.20 CA$37.26
-3.97%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.54 ARS 47.7K
$45.69 CA$65.0
-30.97%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Buenos Aires
Markham
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$50.9 ARS 77.0K
$42.62 CA$60.6
19.47%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.73 ARS 25.3K
$21.28 CA$30.26
-21.38%
Cinema Ticket
$10.34 ARS 15.6K
$10.19 CA$14.49
1.47%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Buenos Aires
Markham
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$463 ARS 700.9K
$870 CA$1,237
-46.73%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,793 ARS 13.3M
$27.5K CA$39.0K
-67.98%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Buenos Aires
Markham
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$120 ARS 181.2K
$43.21 CA$61.4
177.32%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$95.5 ARS 144.4K
$37.22 CA$52.9
156.53%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$114 ARS 172.6K
$91.1 CA$130
25.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$139 ARS 210.7K
$105 CA$149
32.79%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Buenos Aires
Markham
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$756 ARS 1.1M
$1,554 CA$2,210
-51.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$520 ARS 786.2K
$1,391 CA$1,978
-62.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,590 ARS 2.4M
$2,699 CA$3,838
-41.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,198 ARS 1.8M
$2,236 CA$3,179
-46.40%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,713 ARS 4.1M
$5,896 CA$8,382
-53.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,901 ARS 2.9M
$5,309 CA$7,549
-64.20%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Buenos Aires
Markham
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$938 ARS 1.4M
$3,132 CA$4,453
-70.06%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
57.25
4.56
1155.48%

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

Last update for Buenos Aires: October 11, 2026

Last update for Markham: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Buenos Aires
$520
Markham
$1.4K 168% $871
Groceries & Markets
Buenos Aires
$283
Markham
$279 * 1.7% $4.7
Eating Out
Buenos Aires
$282
Markham
$257 8.8% $25
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Buenos Aires
$252
Markham
$197 21.7% $55
Clothing & Footwear
Buenos Aires
$211
Markham
$124 41% $87
Sport & Entertainment
Buenos Aires
$72
Markham
$63 12% $8.6
Getting Around
Buenos Aires
$37
Markham
$105 * 183% $68

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 $756 in Buenos Aires and $1,554 in Markham. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Markham pays 234% 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: $66.0 in Buenos Aires vs $53.0 in Markham for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $283 vs $279 per month, with Markham cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇦🇷 Buenos Aires
🇨🇦 Markham
🕒 Local time
20:26 8:26 PM
19:26 7:26 PM
1 h behind Buenos Aires
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,891,082 Capital
338,503
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

CAD, 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).

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 14, 2026: 1 USD = 1.42 CAD (1 CAD = 0.703 USD). 1 EUR = 1.59 CAD (1 CAD = 0.628 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Buenos Aires Markham 8,980 km ≈ 12 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Buenos Aires
  • Markham

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 Markham: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Buenos Aires and in Markham?
Buenos Aires and Markham differ by about 46% in total monthly costs ($1,656 vs $2,416 including rent). Buenos Aires is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 234% lower in Markham. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Buenos Aires and in Markham?
Rent for a central apartment: $756 in Buenos Aires versus $1,554 in Markham. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Buenos Aires and Markham?
Childcare runs $463 in Buenos Aires versus $870 in Markham. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Markham pay roughly 2% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $1,656 in Buenos Aires versus $2,416 in Markham, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Buenos Aires but tight or insufficient in Markham. The gap between the two cities makes Buenos Aires the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Buenos Aires and Markham?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Buenos Aires or Markham safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Buenos Aires and Markham are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Buenos Aires or Markham?
Expats usually find Buenos Aires gentler on the wallet – expenses run 46% less than in Markham. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Buenos Aires vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?