Cost of Living Comparison Between La Serena and Arica Cost of Living Comparison Between La Serena and Arica

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,142 per month in La Serena vs $116 in Arica, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,883 per month in La Serena vs $188 in Arica, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,624 per month in La Serena vs $261 in Arica, rent included.

La Serena costs about 886% more than Arica, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both La Serena and Arica are more affordable than the global median – La Serena 17% lower, Arica 92% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.26 CLP 7,714

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$51.4 CLP 48.0K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.45 CLP 7,885

Cappuccino

$3.03 CLP 2,827

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.11 CLP 1,033

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.72 CLP 673

$1.25 CLP 1,171

-42.40%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.17 CLP 2,022

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.02 CLP 3,756

Milk (1 liter)

$1.29 CLP 1,209

$1.09 CLP 1,020

18.35%

White Bread (500g)

$2.47 CLP 2,309

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.55 CLP 1,444

Eggs

$3.85 CLP 3,597

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.16 CLP 12.3K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.00 CLP 5,604

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.05 CLP 12.2K

Apples (1kg)

$1.88 CLP 1,758

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 CLP 1,654

Oranges (1kg)

$1.39 CLP 1,301

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 CLP 1,417

Potato (1kg)

$1.18 CLP 1,101

Onion (1kg)

$1.24 CLP 1,162

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.11 CLP 1,034

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.89 CLP 828

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.40 CLP 5,040

Wine (Bottle)

$5.20 CLP 4,851

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.00 CLP 938

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.13 CLP 1,986

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.08 CLP 1,012

$0.77 CLP 715

40.26%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$38.04 CLP 35.5K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.72 CLP 672

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.18 CLP 2,035

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.08 CLP 12.2K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.42 CLP 1,329

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$21.1K CLP 19.7M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$12.7K CLP 11.8M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$92.3 CLP 86.2K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$11.39 CLP 10.6K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$22.39 CLP 20.9K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$90.4 CLP 84.4K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$20.98 CLP 19.6K

Cinema Ticket

$8.52 CLP 7,950

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$45.06 CLP 42.1K

$42.81 CLP 40.0K

5.26%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$63.5 CLP 59.3K

$21.15 CLP 19.7K

200.09%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 CLP 90.8K

$57.2 CLP 53.4K

70.24%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$108 CLP 100.6K

$97.8 CLP 91.4K

10.08%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$437 CLP 408.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$331 CLP 309.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$942 CLP 879.3K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$736 CLP 687.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,159 CLP 2.0M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,389 CLP 1.3M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$741 CLP 691.5K

$538 CLP 502.2K

37.69%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.5

30.00%

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

Last update for La Serena: August 31, 2026

Last update for Arica: September 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 38% higher in La Serena, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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 Arica: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,142 in La Serena, $116 in Arica – roughly 886% apart. La Serena costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,712 per month in La Serena and $174 in Arica. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,142 in La Serena and $116 in Arica. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 2115% more in La Serena, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Arica, where all-in costs run around $116, than in La Serena at $1,142. In Arica it covers expenses comfortably, while in La Serena it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Arica – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Arica. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, La Serena makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.