😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,086 in Chile versus $966 in Argentina.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,656 in Chile versus $1,579 in Argentina.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,226 in Chile versus $2,191 in Argentina.
🌍Living in Chile is roughly 12% more expensive than in Argentina on average.
📊Both countries sit below the global median: Chile 19% lower, Argentina 28% lower.
📏Internal cost variation is higher in Argentina: monthly costs span $607 to $1,393, compared to $964–$1,310 in Chile. City choice carries more weight in Argentina.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chile
Argentina
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.56CLP 7,976
$12.19ARS 18.0K
-29.78%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$42.53CLP 39.6K
$49.73ARS 73.5K
-14.48%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.42CLP 6,911
$10.16ARS 15.0K
-26.97%
Cappuccino
$2.94CLP 2,742
$3.43ARS 5,076
-14.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.44CLP 1,340
$1.94ARS 2,863
-25.77%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.06CLP 983
$1.45ARS 2,146
-26.90%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.21CLP 2,991
$3.03ARS 4,480
5.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72CLP 3,468
$3.01ARS 4,444
23.59%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chile
Argentina
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.17CLP 1,088
$1.37ARS 2,022
-14.60%
White Bread(500g)
$1.54CLP 1,430
$1.99ARS 2,936
-22.61%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.79CLP 1,663
$2.10ARS 3,110
-14.76%
Eggs
$3.64CLP 3,387
$2.70ARS 3,988
34.81%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.65CLP 9,921
$10.28ARS 15.2K
3.60%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.04CLP 5,624
$6.87ARS 10.2K
-12.08%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.04CLP 10.3K
$8.93ARS 13.2K
23.63%
Apples(1kg)
$1.90CLP 1,769
$2.17ARS 3,209
-12.44%
Banana(1kg)
$1.74CLP 1,618
$2.02ARS 2,981
-13.86%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.89CLP 1,762
$1.36ARS 2,008
38.97%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.79CLP 1,665
$2.37ARS 3,505
-24.47%
Potato(1kg)
$1.49CLP 1,389
$1.29ARS 1,912
15.50%
Onion(1kg)
$1.51CLP 1,408
$1.24ARS 1,833
21.77%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.27CLP 1,178
$1.58ARS 2,332
-19.62%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.19CLP 1,104
$1.47ARS 2,166
-19.05%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.45CLP 5,077
$3.02ARS 4,468
80.46%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.40CLP 5,029
$5.06ARS 7,473
6.72%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.50CLP 1,393
$1.86ARS 2,751
-19.35%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26CLP 2,106
$3.01ARS 4,451
-24.92%
🚌 Getting Around
Chile
Argentina
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.82CLP 765
$0.77ARS 1,145
6.49%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.32CLP 38.5K
$20.65ARS 30.5K
100.10%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.88CLP 824
$1.54ARS 2,269
-42.86%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.54CLP 1,437
$0.98ARS 1,453
57.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.17CLP 12.3K
$6.07ARS 8,977
116.97%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.43CLP 1,335
$1.08ARS 1,601
32.41%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.3KCLP 17.1M
$24.6KARS 36.4M
-25.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.4KCLP 19.0M
$30.2KARS 44.6M
-32.32%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chile
Argentina
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$111CLP 103.1K
$87.1ARS 128.7K
27.10%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.66CLP 11.8K
$17.18ARS 25.4K
-26.31%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.59CLP 21.0K
$22.86ARS 33.8K
-1.18%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chile
Argentina
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$36.25CLP 33.8K
$30.87ARS 45.6K
17.43%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.05CLP 18.7K
$13.43ARS 19.9K
49.29%
Cinema Ticket
$5.71CLP 5,317
$6.69ARS 9,887
-14.65%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chile
Argentina
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$379CLP 353.0K
$249ARS 368.3K
52.11%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,185CLP 5.8M
$3,755ARS 5.6M
64.71%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chile
Argentina
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.76CLP 45.4K
$97.2ARS 143.6K
-49.81%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.11CLP 27.1K
$78.5ARS 116.0K
-62.92%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$64.6CLP 60.1K
$121ARS 178.5K
-46.55%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.4CLP 72.0K
$120ARS 177.7K
-35.65%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chile
Argentina
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$468CLP 435.9K
$499ARS 737.7K
-6.21%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$387CLP 360.5K
$339ARS 501.4K
14.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$846CLP 788.2K
$893ARS 1.3M
-5.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$678CLP 631.6K
$613ARS 906.7K
10.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,269CLP 2.1M
$2,091ARS 3.1M
8.50%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,982CLP 1.8M
$1,398ARS 2.1M
41.79%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chile
Argentina
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$693CLP 645.7K
$738ARS 1.1M
-6.01%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.09
65.53
-92.23%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chile: July 11, 2026
Last update for Argentina: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠National rent averages: $472 in Chile, $352 in Argentina. Capital cities: $515 in Santiago vs $657 in Buenos Aires.
💰National salary averages: $716 in Chile, $727 in Argentina. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 34% higher in Chile.
⭐Dining out costs 23% more in Chile.
⭐Public transport is 60% more expensive in Chile.
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
Chile vs Argentina: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost difference between Argentina and Chile?
At $1,000 per month in Argentina and $1,137 in Chile, there's a 14% gap. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Day-to-day life is simply cheaper in Argentina: lower food prices, cheaper commutes, smaller household bills. Over time, those daily savings make a real difference to your monthly budget and ability to put money away.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Rent in Chile is consistently higher than in Argentina across the board, especially in major cities. Housing is usually the single biggest driver of the overall cost difference between the two countries.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget in Argentina or in Chile?
In Argentina, $1,500 covers most cities easily; in Chile it stretches only to regional areas and falls short in the capital – you'll need to make trade-offs on housing or lifestyle.
Should I move to Argentina or to Chile?
It depends on what you're after: Argentina wins on affordability; Chile may offer higher salaries, better infrastructure, and different cultural perks. Both attract large expat communities for different reasons.