😐A single person spends $1,112 per month in La Serena vs $375 in San Antonio de Petrel, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,845 per month in La Serena vs $529 in San Antonio de Petrel, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,578 per month in La Serena vs $682 in San Antonio de Petrel, rent included.
😐La Serena costs about 197% more than San Antonio de Petrel, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both La Serena and San Antonio de Petrel are more affordable than the global median – La Serena19% lower, San Antonio de Petrel73% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
La Serena
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.83CLP 7,468
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.70CLP 46.5K
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.61CLP 8,212
-
-
Cappuccino
$3.00CLP 2,866
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.13CLP 1,074
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70CLP 668
$0.61CLP 582
14.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.15CLP 2,050
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.89CLP 3,711
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
La Serena
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.21CLP 1,159
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$2.48CLP 2,367
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.54CLP 1,470
-
-
Eggs
$3.80CLP 3,626
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.38CLP 11.8K
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.84CLP 5,572
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.96CLP 12.4K
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.84CLP 1,752
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.80CLP 1,715
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$1.30CLP 1,241
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$1.45CLP 1,379
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.22CLP 1,160
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.27CLP 1,208
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.03CLP 987
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.89CLP 850
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.33CLP 5,088
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$5.37CLP 5,128
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.96CLP 919
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.08CLP 1,989
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
La Serena
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.06CLP 1,007
$0.81CLP 775
30.86%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$36.20CLP 34.5K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.72CLP 685
$0.88CLP 839
-18.18%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.14CLP 2,044
$3.10CLP 2,958
-30.97%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$12.58CLP 12.0K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.42CLP 1,359
$1.47CLP 1,398
-3.40%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.9KCLP 19.0M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$12.6KCLP 12.0M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
La Serena
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$88.2CLP 84.1K
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.04CLP 10.5K
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$21.16CLP 20.2K
$21.17CLP 20.2K
-0.05%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
La Serena
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$87.3CLP 83.3K
$26.49CLP 25.3K
229.60%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.04CLP 20.1K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.56CLP 8,173
$4.76CLP 4,542
79.83%
🧸 Childcare & Education
La Serena
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$63.3CLP 60.4K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$1,188CLP 1.1M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
La Serena
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.70CLP 41.7K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$61.5CLP 58.7K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.8CLP 90.4K
$72.2CLP 68.9K
31.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106CLP 101.5K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
La Serena
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$439CLP 419.4K
$313CLP 298.9K
40.27%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$327CLP 312.0K
$260CLP 247.8K
25.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$906CLP 864.6K
$627CLP 598.3K
44.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$724CLP 690.6K
$468CLP 446.9K
54.53%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,089CLP 2.0M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,374CLP 1.3M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
La Serena
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$733CLP 699.0K
$414CLP 394.9K
76.99%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.5
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for La Serena: September 15, 2026
Last update for San Antonio de Petrel: September 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $439 in La Serena versus $313 in San Antonio de Petrel. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 77% 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 San Antonio de Petrel: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Antonio de Petrel cheaper than La Serena?
Yes – La Serena is pricier by about 197%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,668 per month in La Serena and $562 in San Antonio de Petrel. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in San Antonio de Petrel, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in La Serena or in San Antonio de Petrel?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in San Antonio de Petrel, where all-in costs run around $375, than in La Serena at $1,112. In San Antonio de Petrel it covers expenses comfortably, while in La Serena it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is La Serena or San Antonio de Petrel more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward San Antonio de Petrel – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with San Antonio de Petrel. 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.