😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,069 in Lanus versus $1,042 in Mar del Plata.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,764 in Lanus versus $1,777 in Mar del Plata.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,460 in Lanus versus $2,511 in Mar del Plata.
🌍Living in Lanus is roughly 3% more expensive than in Mar del Plata, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Lanus23% lower, Mar del Plata24% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.09ARS 15.2K
$20.02ARS 30.2K
-49.60%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.06ARS 57.4K
$59.1ARS 89.2K
-35.61%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.22ARS 19.9K
$12.68ARS 19.1K
4.26%
Cappuccino
$3.91ARS 5,891
$3.09ARS 4,661
26.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96ARS 2,956
$2.54ARS 3,835
-22.83%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66ARS 2,502
$2.02ARS 3,042
-17.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.63ARS 5,477
$4.04ARS 6,093
-10.15%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.27ARS 3,424
$3.03ARS 4,578
-25.08%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.30ARS 1,962
$1.08ARS 1,634
20.37%
White Bread(500g)
$2.48ARS 3,740
$2.19ARS 3,303
13.24%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.66ARS 2,503
$3.19ARS 4,819
-47.96%
Eggs
$2.66ARS 4,008
$2.45ARS 3,700
8.57%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.96ARS 10.5K
$5.66ARS 8,543
22.97%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.11ARS 13.7K
$6.63ARS 10.0K
37.41%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.91ARS 21.0K
$12.10ARS 18.2K
14.96%
Apples(1kg)
$2.84ARS 4,284
$3.41ARS 5,150
-16.72%
Banana(1kg)
$2.01ARS 3,032
$2.56ARS 3,858
-21.48%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.03ARS 1,551
$1.53ARS 2,314
-32.68%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.85ARS 2,785
$2.04ARS 3,075
-9.31%
Potato(1kg)
$0.94ARS 1,413
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$0.67ARS 1,013
$1.02ARS 1,537
-34.31%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.68ARS 2,527
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.75ARS 2,635
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.22ARS 4,856
$3.46ARS 5,216
-6.94%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.73ARS 8,636
$2.95ARS 4,445
94.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.47ARS 2,215
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.81ARS 4,241
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.03ARS 1,551
$1.28ARS 1,926
-19.53%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.63ARS 2,458
$1.59ARS 2,399
2.52%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.02ARS 1,538
$0.68ARS 1,032
50.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.60ARS 11.5K
$6.26ARS 9,445
21.41%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.10ARS 1,657
$1.36ARS 2,055
-19.12%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.7KARS 41.8M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.2KARS 45.5M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$59.4ARS 89.5K
$81.4ARS 122.8K
-27.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.14ARS 30.4K
$8.04ARS 12.1K
150.50%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.77ARS 41.9K
$29.95ARS 45.2K
-7.28%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.65ARS 46.2K
$31.33ARS 47.3K
-2.17%
Cinema Ticket
$4.74ARS 7,153
$10.14ARS 15.3K
-53.25%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$301ARS 454.6K
$304ARS 459.3K
-1.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,071ARS 13.7M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$37.65ARS 56.8K
$89.2ARS 134.6K
-57.80%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$60.8ARS 91.7K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$116ARS 174.7K
$118ARS 177.8K
-1.76%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$100.0ARS 150.8K
$55.0ARS 83.0K
81.63%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$489ARS 736.9K
$331ARS 499.8K
47.44%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$303ARS 456.9K
$250ARS 377.0K
21.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$975ARS 1.5M
$806ARS 1.2M
20.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$776ARS 1.2M
$654ARS 985.9K
18.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,377ARS 3.6M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$612ARS 923.3K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
56.56
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lanus: September 6, 2026
Last update for Mar del Plata: September 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $489 in Lanus and $331 in Mar del Plata. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $38.00 in Lanus vs $59.0 in Mar del Plata. Groceries flip the comparison at $259 vs $198, 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, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 3% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,603 in Lanus and $1,564 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: $489 in Lanus versus $331 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 $301 in Lanus versus $304 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 $59.0 versus $38.00 in Lanus. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for living in Lanus or in Mar del Plata?
At $1,042 in Mar del Plata versus $1,069 in Lanus, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Mar del Plata but tight or insufficient in Lanus. The gap between the two cities makes Mar del Plata the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
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 3% less than in Lanus. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.