πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $871 in Lanus versus $847 in Mar del Plata.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,452 in Lanus versus $1,433 in Mar del Plata.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,033 in Lanus versus $2,019 in Mar del Plata.
πLiving in Lanus is roughly 3% more expensive than Mar del Plata, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Lanus35% lower, Mar del Plata37% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.98ARSΒ 12.8K
$9.93ARSΒ 14.2K
-9.57%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.88ARSΒ 42.6K
$37.70ARSΒ 53.8K
-20.74%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.92ARSΒ 12.7K
$8.22ARSΒ 11.7K
8.52%
Cappuccino
$1.72ARSΒ 2,453
$2.45ARSΒ 3,494
-29.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.28ARSΒ 1,829
$2.26ARSΒ 3,222
-43.36%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.18ARSΒ 1,677
$2.12ARSΒ 3,018
-44.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.24ARSΒ 1,768
$3.21ARSΒ 4,579
-61.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.81ARSΒ 4,009
$3.34ARSΒ 4,766
-15.87%
π Groceries & Markets
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.22ARSΒ 1,734
$1.10ARSΒ 1,564
10.91%
White Bread(500g)
$1.53ARSΒ 2,176
$1.42ARSΒ 2,031
7.75%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.85ARSΒ 2,643
$2.06ARSΒ 2,941
-10.19%
Eggs
$2.24ARSΒ 3,190
$1.52ARSΒ 2,171
47.37%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.04ARSΒ 17.2K
$6.79ARSΒ 9,681
77.32%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.12ARSΒ 8,727
$5.28ARSΒ 7,535
15.91%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.59ARSΒ 13.7K
$7.55ARSΒ 10.8K
27.02%
Apples(1kg)
$1.87ARSΒ 2,670
$2.87ARSΒ 4,094
-34.84%
Banana(1kg)
$2.13ARSΒ 3,035
$2.13ARSΒ 3,044
-
Oranges(1kg)
$0.93ARSΒ 1,323
$1.57ARSΒ 2,233
-40.76%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.61ARSΒ 3,727
$2.49ARSΒ 3,557
4.82%
Potato(1kg)
$1.43ARSΒ 2,035
$1.23ARSΒ 1,755
16.26%
Onion(1kg)
$1.37ARSΒ 1,956
$0.95ARSΒ 1,361
44.21%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.86ARSΒ 1,231
$0.63ARSΒ 895
36.51%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.47ARSΒ 2,102
$1.17ARSΒ 1,676
25.64%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.22ARSΒ 4,590
$3.42ARSΒ 4,877
-5.85%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.91ARSΒ 8,431
$2.92ARSΒ 4,163
102.40%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.26ARSΒ 1,796
$1.38ARSΒ 1,971
-8.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.02ARSΒ 4,305
$1.98ARSΒ 2,825
52.53%
π Getting Around
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84ARSΒ 1,192
$0.73ARSΒ 1,038
15.07%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$9.97ARSΒ 14.2K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.63ARSΒ 2,327
$1.53ARSΒ 2,179
6.54%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.93ARSΒ 1,330
$0.79ARSΒ 1,121
17.72%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.88ARSΒ 8,382
$7.95ARSΒ 11.3K
-26.04%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.07ARSΒ 1,530
$1.14ARSΒ 1,626
-6.14%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.9KARSΒ 34.1M
$27.5KARSΒ 39.2M
-13.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4KARSΒ 37.6M
$39.9KARSΒ 57.0M
-33.94%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$56.1ARSΒ 80.1K
$84.2ARSΒ 120.1K
-33.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.32ARSΒ 26.1K
$10.23ARSΒ 14.6K
79.08%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.58ARSΒ 20.8K
$25.44ARSΒ 36.3K
-42.69%
π Sport & Entertainment
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$26.56ARSΒ 37.9K
$17.04ARSΒ 24.3K
55.87%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.73ARSΒ 19.6K
$8.02ARSΒ 11.4K
71.20%
Cinema Ticket
$4.92ARSΒ 7,023
$3.90ARSΒ 5,557
26.15%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$331ARSΒ 471.8K
$163ARSΒ 232.0K
103.40%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,092ARSΒ 1.6M
$3,145ARSΒ 4.5M
-65.28%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.1ARSΒ 87.1K
$57.3ARSΒ 81.7K
6.56%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$60.9ARSΒ 86.9K
$63.0ARSΒ 89.8K
-3.27%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$107ARSΒ 152.4K
$63.9ARSΒ 91.1K
67.26%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$95.4ARSΒ 136.1K
$61.9ARSΒ 88.2K
54.20%
π Accommodation & Living
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$340ARSΒ 484.8K
$286ARSΒ 408.1K
18.81%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$241ARSΒ 343.5K
$204ARSΒ 291.6K
17.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$687ARSΒ 979.4K
$723ARSΒ 1.0M
-5.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$542ARSΒ 773.1K
$572ARSΒ 816.2K
-5.28%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,953ARSΒ 2.8M
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Lanus
Mar del Plata
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$599ARSΒ 855.1K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
52.71
58.5
-9.90%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lanus: June 2, 2026
Last update for Mar del Plata: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $340 in Lanus and $286 in Mar del Plata. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $30.00 in Lanus vs $38.00 in Mar del Plata. Groceries flip the comparison at $230 vs $194, 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 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 $1,306 in Lanus and $1,271 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: $340 in Lanus versus $286 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 $331 in Lanus versus $163 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 Mar del Plata?
Dining out is cheaper in Mar del Plata β a meal for two runs $38.00 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 Mar del Plata?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β 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 β expenses run 3% less than in Lanus. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.