😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,085 in Chile versus $968 in Argentina.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,657 in Chile versus $1,579 in Argentina.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,228 in Chile versus $2,189 in Argentina.
😐Living in Chile is roughly 12% more expensive than Argentina on average.
📊Both countries sit below the global median: Chile19% lower, Argentina28% lower.
📏Internal cost variation is higher in Argentina: monthly costs span $597 to $1,412, compared to $944–$1,326 in Chile. City choice carries more weight in Argentina.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chile
Argentina
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.38CLP 7,441
$12.01ARS 17.1K
-30.22%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$42.37CLP 37.6K
$50.1ARS 71.5K
-15.43%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.73CLP 6,865
$10.03ARS 14.3K
-22.93%
Cappuccino
$2.98CLP 2,642
$3.43ARS 4,890
-13.12%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.43CLP 1,270
$1.96ARS 2,791
-27.04%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05CLP 928
$1.46ARS 2,087
-28.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.31CLP 2,941
$2.96ARS 4,217
11.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72CLP 3,297
$3.01ARS 4,299
23.59%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chile
Argentina
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.22CLP 1,083
$1.38ARS 1,974
-11.59%
White Bread(500g)
$1.54CLP 1,369
$1.99ARS 2,840
-22.61%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.72CLP 1,530
$2.04ARS 2,904
-15.69%
Eggs
$3.63CLP 3,219
$2.70ARS 3,857
34.44%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.36CLP 9,193
$9.98ARS 14.2K
3.81%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.17CLP 5,480
$6.82ARS 9,727
-9.53%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.97CLP 9,733
$8.69ARS 12.4K
26.24%
Apples(1kg)
$1.90CLP 1,685
$2.17ARS 3,092
-12.44%
Banana(1kg)
$1.67CLP 1,482
$2.01ARS 2,869
-16.92%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87CLP 1,663
$1.36ARS 1,937
37.50%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.78CLP 1,576
$2.48ARS 3,533
-28.23%
Potato(1kg)
$1.50CLP 1,330
$1.30ARS 1,849
15.38%
Onion(1kg)
$1.55CLP 1,376
$1.24ARS 1,772
25.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.25CLP 1,107
$1.53ARS 2,182
-18.30%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.25CLP 1,107
$1.48ARS 2,106
-15.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.28CLP 4,689
$2.95ARS 4,201
78.98%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.47CLP 4,853
$4.86ARS 6,927
12.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.49CLP 1,325
$1.88ARS 2,678
-20.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.30CLP 2,044
$2.99ARS 4,268
-23.08%
🚌 Getting Around
Chile
Argentina
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.83CLP 737
$0.78ARS 1,114
6.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.73CLP 37.0K
$20.92ARS 29.8K
99.47%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.82CLP 732
$1.53ARS 2,181
-46.41%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.54CLP 1,370
$0.97ARS 1,389
58.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.14CLP 11.7K
$5.88ARS 8,388
123.47%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.43CLP 1,273
$1.12ARS 1,604
27.68%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.4KCLP 16.3M
$24.6KARS 35.0M
-25.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.1KCLP 17.8M
$30.3KARS 43.2M
-33.82%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chile
Argentina
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$111CLP 98.8K
$85.0ARS 121.2K
31.01%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.38CLP 11.0K
$16.93ARS 24.1K
-26.88%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.59CLP 20.0K
$23.33ARS 33.3K
-3.17%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chile
Argentina
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$35.74CLP 31.7K
$30.26ARS 43.2K
18.11%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.52CLP 18.2K
$13.40ARS 19.1K
53.13%
Cinema Ticket
$5.77CLP 5,120
$7.02ARS 10.0K
-17.81%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chile
Argentina
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$385CLP 341.5K
$255ARS 363.3K
51.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,348CLP 5.6M
$3,767ARS 5.4M
68.55%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chile
Argentina
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.14CLP 42.7K
$97.2ARS 138.6K
-50.47%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.65CLP 26.3K
$77.8ARS 110.9K
-61.87%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$64.9CLP 57.6K
$121ARS 173.2K
-46.52%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.6CLP 69.7K
$119ARS 170.1K
-34.11%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chile
Argentina
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$458CLP 406.6K
$483ARS 688.6K
-5.11%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$384CLP 340.5K
$330ARS 470.6K
16.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$816CLP 724.6K
$888ARS 1.3M
-8.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$659CLP 585.3K
$633ARS 902.3K
4.26%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,488CLP 2.2M
$2,078ARS 3.0M
19.70%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,283CLP 2.0M
$1,376ARS 2.0M
65.87%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chile
Argentina
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$741CLP 657.6K
$737ARS 1.1M
0.52%
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: June 2, 2026
Last update for Argentina: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠National rent averages: $475 in Chile, $352 in Argentina. Capital cities: $519 in Santiago vs $658 in Buenos Aires.
💰National salary averages: $755 in Chile, $722 in Argentina. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 35% 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 $1,005 per month in Argentina and $1,135 in Chile, there's a 13% 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?
Argentina is simply cheaper day-to-day: 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 beats 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 Chile?
In Argentina, $1,500 covers most cities easily. In Chile, it works in regional areas but falls short in the capital – you'll need to make trade-offs on housing or lifestyle.
Should I move to Argentina or 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.