😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $903 in Lanus versus $841 in Mar del Plata.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,472 in Lanus versus $1,452 in Mar del Plata.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,041 in Lanus versus $2,062 in Mar del Plata.
🌍Living in Lanus is roughly 7% more expensive than in Mar del Plata, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Lanus32% lower, Mar del Plata37% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.85ARS 13.1K
$9.58ARS 14.2K
-7.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.78ARS 44.0K
$36.91ARS 54.5K
-19.32%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.23ARS 13.6K
$8.12ARS 12.0K
13.67%
Cappuccino
$1.70ARS 2,514
$2.49ARS 3,674
-31.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.28ARS 1,897
$2.27ARS 3,353
-43.61%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.18ARS 1,747
$2.15ARS 3,176
-45.12%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.20ARS 1,781
$3.29ARS 4,870
-63.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.77ARS 4,097
$3.18ARS 4,707
-12.89%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.29ARS 1,900
$1.05ARS 1,557
22.86%
White Bread(500g)
$1.55ARS 2,284
$1.43ARS 2,114
8.39%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.86ARS 2,742
$2.15ARS 3,180
-13.49%
Eggs
$2.26ARS 3,347
$1.55ARS 2,296
45.81%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.86ARS 17.5K
$6.64ARS 9,818
78.61%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.91ARS 8,728
$5.13ARS 7,584
15.20%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.67ARS 14.3K
$7.75ARS 11.5K
24.77%
Apples(1kg)
$1.83ARS 2,699
$2.72ARS 4,014
-32.72%
Banana(1kg)
$2.04ARS 3,008
$2.11ARS 3,119
-3.32%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.98ARS 1,447
$1.55ARS 2,296
-36.77%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.54ARS 3,750
$2.50ARS 3,689
1.60%
Potato(1kg)
$1.50ARS 2,220
$1.22ARS 1,796
22.95%
Onion(1kg)
$1.43ARS 2,111
$1.03ARS 1,519
38.83%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.94ARS 1,389
$0.67ARS 985
40.30%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.47ARS 2,175
$1.16ARS 1,717
26.72%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.30ARS 4,878
$3.55ARS 5,251
-7.04%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.02ARS 8,897
$2.97ARS 4,394
102.69%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.25ARS 1,852
$1.38ARS 2,039
-9.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.13ARS 4,627
$2.05ARS 3,030
52.68%
🚌 Getting Around
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.77ARS 1,133
$0.71ARS 1,051
8.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$9.89ARS 14.6K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.58ARS 2,336
$1.47ARS 2,167
7.48%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.85ARS 1,252
$0.77ARS 1,133
10.39%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.92ARS 8,750
$8.23ARS 12.2K
-28.07%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.02ARS 1,514
$1.14ARS 1,685
-10.53%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.4KARS 36.0M
$27.5KARS 40.7M
-11.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4KARS 39.0M
$39.7KARS 58.7M
-33.60%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$54.4ARS 80.5K
$86.7ARS 128.1K
-37.21%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.48ARS 27.3K
$10.21ARS 15.1K
81.00%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.39ARS 21.3K
$24.91ARS 36.8K
-42.23%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.92ARS 38.3K
$17.08ARS 25.2K
51.76%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.71ARS 20.3K
$7.77ARS 11.5K
76.45%
Cinema Ticket
$5.07ARS 7,500
$4.01ARS 5,930
26.43%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$333ARS 491.9K
$162ARS 239.1K
105.71%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,099ARS 1.6M
$3,184ARS 4.7M
-65.48%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.1ARS 91.8K
$55.5ARS 82.1K
11.83%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$60.2ARS 89.0K
$62.8ARS 92.9K
-4.20%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$107ARS 157.5K
$65.2ARS 96.4K
63.45%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$96.0ARS 141.9K
$61.4ARS 90.8K
56.28%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$342ARS 505.6K
$278ARS 411.3K
22.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$237ARS 350.5K
$203ARS 300.2K
16.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$688ARS 1.0M
$707ARS 1.0M
-2.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$548ARS 809.2K
$581ARS 859.4K
-5.84%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,179ARS 3.2M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,315ARS 1.9M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$602ARS 890.3K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
52.71
58.5
-9.90%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lanus: July 14, 2026
Last update for Mar del Plata: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $342 in Lanus and $278 in Mar del Plata. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $30.00 in Lanus vs $37.00 in Mar del Plata. Groceries flip the comparison at $230 vs $193, with Mar del Plata cheaper for home cooking.
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
Lanus vs Mar del Plata: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mar del Plata cheaper than Lanus?
Mar del Plata is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment. The 7% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,354 in Lanus and $1,262 in Mar del Plata 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 Lanus and Mar del Plata?
Rent for a central apartment: $342 in Lanus versus $278 in Mar del Plata. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $333 in Lanus versus $162 in Mar del Plata. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is eating out cheaper in Lanus or in Mar del Plata?
Dining out is cheaper in Mar del Plata – a meal for two runs $37.00 versus $30.00 in Lanus. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $800 enough for either Lanus or Mar del Plata?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Mar del Plata gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is it better to live in Lanus or in Mar del Plata?
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 safer, Lanus or Mar del Plata?
Safety-wise, Lanus and Mar del Plata are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Mar del Plata gentler on the wallet – expenses run 7% less than in Lanus. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.