🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,044 in La Serena versus $1,067 in Ancud.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,757 in La Serena versus $1,634 in Ancud.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,469 in La Serena versus $2,200 in Ancud.
🌍Living in La Serena costs roughly 2% less than in Ancud, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: La Serena22% lower, Ancud20% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
La Serena
Ancud
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.00CLP 7,468
$8.75CLP 8,169
-8.57%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$50.7CLP 47.4K
$44.39CLP 41.4K
14.26%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.87CLP 8,277
$7.90CLP 7,379
12.28%
Cappuccino
$3.09CLP 2,887
$2.74CLP 2,559
12.77%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10CLP 1,029
$1.35CLP 1,264
-18.52%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72CLP 672
$1.07CLP 996
-32.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.14CLP 1,995
$3.24CLP 3,026
-33.95%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.95CLP 3,689
$4.07CLP 3,798
-2.95%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
La Serena
Ancud
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.30CLP 1,217
$1.18CLP 1,103
10.17%
White Bread(500g)
$2.57CLP 2,402
$1.57CLP 1,469
63.69%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.54CLP 1,441
$1.89CLP 1,761
-18.52%
Eggs
$3.95CLP 3,687
$3.64CLP 3,394
8.52%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.84CLP 12.0K
$10.61CLP 9,902
21.02%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.05CLP 5,653
$6.55CLP 6,114
-7.63%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.54CLP 12.6K
$11.08CLP 10.3K
22.20%
Apples(1kg)
$1.98CLP 1,844
$1.88CLP 1,752
5.32%
Banana(1kg)
$1.78CLP 1,666
$1.51CLP 1,414
17.88%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.39CLP 1,300
$1.58CLP 1,476
-12.03%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.55CLP 1,444
$1.44CLP 1,343
7.64%
Potato(1kg)
$1.18CLP 1,106
$1.29CLP 1,208
-8.53%
Onion(1kg)
$1.31CLP 1,220
$1.40CLP 1,310
-6.43%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.07CLP 1,002
$1.23CLP 1,144
-13.01%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.96CLP 893
$1.16CLP 1,087
-17.24%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.46CLP 5,098
$5.52CLP 5,154
-1.09%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.46CLP 5,095
$6.44CLP 6,009
-15.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.04CLP 971
$1.57CLP 1,461
-33.76%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.23CLP 2,078
$2.29CLP 2,140
-2.62%
🚌 Getting Around
La Serena
Ancud
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.05CLP 984
$0.57CLP 534
84.21%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$37.37CLP 34.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.72CLP 671
$0.50CLP 469
44.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.12CLP 1,983
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$12.70CLP 11.9K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.44CLP 1,347
$1.42CLP 1,323
1.41%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.9KCLP 19.6M
$19.9KCLP 18.6M
5.17%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$12.8KCLP 11.9M
$21.1KCLP 19.7M
-39.39%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
La Serena
Ancud
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$91.6CLP 85.5K
$130CLP 121.2K
-29.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.51CLP 10.7K
$13.59CLP 12.7K
-15.31%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.61CLP 21.1K
$21.82CLP 20.4K
3.62%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
La Serena
Ancud
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$35.97CLP 33.6K
$38.31CLP 35.8K
-6.11%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.67CLP 20.2K
$21.04CLP 19.6K
2.99%
Cinema Ticket
$8.74CLP 8,158
$5.76CLP 5,381
51.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
La Serena
Ancud
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$428CLP 399.9K
$436CLP 406.9K
-1.73%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
La Serena
Ancud
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.25CLP 42.2K
$49.86CLP 46.6K
-9.25%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.18CLP 28.2K
$30.78CLP 28.7K
-1.95%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$97.0CLP 90.5K
$62.0CLP 57.9K
56.30%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$110CLP 102.7K
$82.0CLP 76.6K
34.10%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
La Serena
Ancud
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$363CLP 339.0K
$477CLP 445.6K
-23.93%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$285CLP 265.7K
$373CLP 348.0K
-23.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,067CLP 996.3K
$886CLP 826.9K
20.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$709CLP 661.7K
$602CLP 561.9K
17.77%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,151CLP 2.0M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,373CLP 1.3M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
La Serena
Ancud
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$736CLP 686.8K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.5
5.18
25.48%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for La Serena: July 11, 2026
Last update for Ancud: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $363 in La Serena and $477 in Ancud. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $51.0 in La Serena vs $44.00 in Ancud for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $247 vs $230 per month, with Ancud cheaper across the board.
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
La Serena vs Ancud: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ancud cheaper than La Serena?
La Serena is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 2% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,567 in La Serena and $1,601 in Ancud to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between La Serena and Ancud?
Rent for a central apartment: $363 in La Serena versus $477 in Ancud. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in La Serena and in Ancud?
Shoppers in Ancud pay roughly 7% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
What are total monthly expenses in La Serena and in Ancud?
All in, you'll spend $1,044 per month in La Serena versus $1,067 in Ancud – a 2% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in La Serena or in Ancud?
At $1,044 in La Serena versus $1,067 in Ancud, a $1,500 budget is realistic in La Serena but tight or insufficient in Ancud. The gap between the two cities makes La Serena the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in La Serena or in Ancud?
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.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find La Serena gentler on the wallet – expenses run 2% less than in Ancud. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.