🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $841 in Mar del Plata versus $903 in Lanus.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,452 in Mar del Plata versus $1,472 in Lanus.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,062 in Mar del Plata versus $2,041 in Lanus.
🌍Living in Mar del Plata costs roughly 7% less than in Lanus, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Mar del Plata37% lower, Lanus32% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mar del Plata
Lanus
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.58ARS 14.2K
$8.85ARS 13.1K
8.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$36.91ARS 54.5K
$29.78ARS 44.0K
23.94%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.12ARS 12.0K
$9.23ARS 13.6K
-12.03%
Cappuccino
$2.49ARS 3,674
$1.70ARS 2,514
46.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.27ARS 3,353
$1.28ARS 1,897
77.34%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15ARS 3,176
$1.18ARS 1,747
82.20%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.29ARS 4,870
$1.20ARS 1,781
174.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18ARS 4,707
$2.77ARS 4,097
14.80%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mar del Plata
Lanus
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05ARS 1,557
$1.29ARS 1,900
-18.60%
White Bread(500g)
$1.43ARS 2,114
$1.55ARS 2,284
-7.74%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.15ARS 3,180
$1.86ARS 2,742
15.59%
Eggs
$1.55ARS 2,296
$2.26ARS 3,347
-31.42%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.64ARS 9,818
$11.86ARS 17.5K
-44.01%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.13ARS 7,584
$5.91ARS 8,728
-13.20%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.75ARS 11.5K
$9.67ARS 14.3K
-19.86%
Apples(1kg)
$2.72ARS 4,014
$1.83ARS 2,699
48.63%
Banana(1kg)
$2.11ARS 3,119
$2.04ARS 3,008
3.43%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.55ARS 2,296
$0.98ARS 1,447
58.16%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.50ARS 3,689
$2.54ARS 3,750
-1.57%
Potato(1kg)
$1.22ARS 1,796
$1.50ARS 2,220
-18.67%
Onion(1kg)
$1.03ARS 1,519
$1.43ARS 2,111
-27.97%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67ARS 985
$0.94ARS 1,389
-28.72%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.16ARS 1,717
$1.47ARS 2,175
-21.09%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.55ARS 5,251
$3.30ARS 4,878
7.58%
Wine(Bottle)
$2.97ARS 4,394
$6.02ARS 8,897
-50.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38ARS 2,039
$1.25ARS 1,852
10.40%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05ARS 3,030
$3.13ARS 4,627
-34.50%
🚌 Getting Around
Mar del Plata
Lanus
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.71ARS 1,051
$0.77ARS 1,133
-7.79%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.89ARS 14.6K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47ARS 2,167
$1.58ARS 2,336
-6.96%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.77ARS 1,133
$0.85ARS 1,252
-9.41%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.23ARS 12.2K
$5.92ARS 8,750
39.02%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14ARS 1,685
$1.02ARS 1,514
11.76%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.5KARS 40.7M
$24.4KARS 36.0M
13.00%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.7KARS 58.7M
$26.4KARS 39.0M
50.60%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mar del Plata
Lanus
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$86.7ARS 128.1K
$54.4ARS 80.5K
59.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.21ARS 15.1K
$18.48ARS 27.3K
-44.75%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.91ARS 36.8K
$14.39ARS 21.3K
73.11%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mar del Plata
Lanus
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$17.08ARS 25.2K
$25.92ARS 38.3K
-34.10%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.77ARS 11.5K
$13.71ARS 20.3K
-43.33%
Cinema Ticket
$4.01ARS 5,930
$5.07ARS 7,500
-20.91%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mar del Plata
Lanus
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$162ARS 239.1K
$333ARS 491.9K
-51.39%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,184ARS 4.7M
$1,099ARS 1.6M
189.68%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mar del Plata
Lanus
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.5ARS 82.1K
$62.1ARS 91.8K
-10.58%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$62.8ARS 92.9K
$60.2ARS 89.0K
4.39%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$65.2ARS 96.4K
$107ARS 157.5K
-38.82%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$61.4ARS 90.8K
$96.0ARS 141.9K
-36.01%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mar del Plata
Lanus
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$278ARS 411.3K
$342ARS 505.6K
-18.64%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$203ARS 300.2K
$237ARS 350.5K
-14.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$707ARS 1.0M
$688ARS 1.0M
2.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$581ARS 859.4K
$548ARS 809.2K
6.20%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,179ARS 3.2M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,315ARS 1.9M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mar del Plata
Lanus
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$602ARS 890.3K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
58.5
52.71
10.98%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mar del Plata: July 12, 2026
Last update for Lanus: July 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $278 in Mar del Plata and $342 in Lanus. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $37.00 in Mar del Plata vs $30.00 in Lanus. Groceries flip the comparison at $193 vs $230, 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
Mar del Plata vs Lanus: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lanus cheaper than Mar del Plata?
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 $1,262 in Mar del Plata and $1,354 in Lanus 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 Mar del Plata and Lanus?
Rent for a central apartment: $278 in Mar del Plata versus $342 in Lanus. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $162 in Mar del Plata versus $333 in Lanus. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is eating out cheaper in Mar del Plata or in Lanus?
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 Mar del Plata or Lanus?
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 Mar del Plata or in Lanus?
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, Mar del Plata or Lanus?
Safety-wise, Mar del Plata and Lanus 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.
Mar del Plata vs other spots: cost of living compared