🙂A single person spends $1,042 per month in La Serena vs $1,098 in San Antonio de Petrel, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,787 per month in La Serena vs $1,655 in San Antonio de Petrel, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,533 per month in La Serena vs $2,212 in San Antonio de Petrel, rent included.
🙂La Serena is about 5% cheaper than San Antonio de Petrel, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both La Serena and San Antonio de Petrel are more affordable than the global median – La Serena23% lower, San Antonio de Petrel18% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
La Serena
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.22CLP 7,389
$8.53CLP 7,665
-3.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$51.9CLP 46.6K
$44.57CLP 40.1K
16.47%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.75CLP 7,868
$7.79CLP 7,004
12.32%
Cappuccino
$2.98CLP 2,674
$2.75CLP 2,472
8.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.12CLP 1,004
$1.30CLP 1,173
-13.85%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.67CLP 598
$1.06CLP 952
-36.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.22CLP 1,998
$3.30CLP 2,964
-32.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.10CLP 3,682
$4.25CLP 3,821
-3.53%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
La Serena
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.29CLP 1,159
$1.19CLP 1,071
8.40%
White Bread(500g)
$2.56CLP 2,302
$1.50CLP 1,349
70.67%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.56CLP 1,401
$1.94CLP 1,748
-19.59%
Eggs
$4.03CLP 3,624
$3.58CLP 3,214
12.57%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.98CLP 11.7K
$10.57CLP 9,502
22.80%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.24CLP 5,605
$6.85CLP 6,156
-8.91%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.04CLP 11.7K
$11.02CLP 9,905
18.33%
Apples(1kg)
$1.92CLP 1,728
$1.80CLP 1,620
6.67%
Banana(1kg)
$1.80CLP 1,615
$1.52CLP 1,369
18.42%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.40CLP 1,255
$1.53CLP 1,375
-8.50%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.47CLP 1,317
$1.46CLP 1,309
0.68%
Potato(1kg)
$1.23CLP 1,107
$1.22CLP 1,100
0.82%
Onion(1kg)
$1.33CLP 1,194
$1.35CLP 1,216
-1.48%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.13CLP 1,015
$1.21CLP 1,084
-6.61%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.92CLP 826
$1.21CLP 1,088
-23.97%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.33CLP 4,791
$5.34CLP 4,795
-0.19%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.35CLP 4,809
$5.45CLP 4,900
-1.83%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.05CLP 940
$1.56CLP 1,400
-32.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25CLP 2,025
$2.30CLP 2,065
-2.17%
🚌 Getting Around
La Serena
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.06CLP 953
$0.58CLP 524
82.76%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$38.12CLP 34.3K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.72CLP 643
$0.48CLP 429
50.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.13CLP 1,913
$3.20CLP 2,871
-33.44%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.01CLP 11.7K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.42CLP 1,274
$1.38CLP 1,245
2.90%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.7KCLP 18.6M
$19.9KCLP 17.9M
3.91%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$13.1KCLP 11.8M
$21.3KCLP 19.1M
-38.53%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
La Serena
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$92.7CLP 83.3K
$134CLP 120.6K
-30.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.35CLP 10.2K
$13.73CLP 12.3K
-17.33%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.61CLP 20.3K
$21.55CLP 19.4K
4.92%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
La Serena
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$36.68CLP 33.0K
$38.66CLP 34.7K
-5.12%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.65CLP 19.5K
$21.04CLP 18.9K
2.90%
Cinema Ticket
$8.86CLP 7,963
$5.55CLP 4,983
59.64%
🧸 Childcare & Education
La Serena
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$441CLP 396.0K
$440CLP 395.4K
0.14%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$1,246CLP 1.1M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
La Serena
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.06CLP 41.4K
$51.5CLP 46.3K
-10.62%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.87CLP 26.8K
$30.67CLP 27.6K
-2.61%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$96.4CLP 86.7K
$61.1CLP 54.9K
57.73%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$110CLP 98.4K
$82.4CLP 74.0K
32.90%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
La Serena
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$364CLP 327.0K
$479CLP 430.5K
-24.05%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$280CLP 251.6K
$369CLP 332.0K
-24.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,070CLP 962.0K
$891CLP 800.4K
20.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$699CLP 627.9K
$595CLP 535.0K
17.35%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,226CLP 2.0M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,434CLP 1.3M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
La Serena
San Antonio de Petrel
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$746CLP 670.6K
$436CLP 391.7K
71.19%
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: June 7, 2026
Last update for San Antonio de Petrel: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $364 in La Serena versus $479 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 71% higher in La Serena, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $52.0 in La Serena versus $45.00 in San Antonio de Petrel. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $246 vs $229 – making San Antonio de Petrel the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 – San Antonio de Petrel is pricier by about 5%, and the gap shows up most in Getting Around. 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 $1,562 per month in La Serena and $1,646 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 La Serena, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in La Serena vs San Antonio de Petrel?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,042 in La Serena and $1,098 in San Antonio de Petrel. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $441 per month in La Serena and $440 in San Antonio de Petrel. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for La Serena or San Antonio de Petrel?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in La Serena, where all-in costs run around $1,042, than in San Antonio de Petrel at $1,098. In La Serena it covers expenses comfortably, while in San Antonio de Petrel 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 La Serena – 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 La Serena. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, San Antonio de Petrel makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.