🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $847 in Mar del Plata versus $978 in Río Tercero.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,433 in Mar del Plata versus $1,591 in Río Tercero.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,019 in Mar del Plata versus $2,204 in Río Tercero.
🙂Living in Mar del Plata costs roughly 13% less than in Río Tercero, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Mar del Plata37% lower, Río Tercero27% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mar del Plata
Río Tercero
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.93ARS 14.2K
$10.62ARS 15.1K
-6.50%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.70ARS 53.8K
$33.61ARS 47.9K
12.17%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.22ARS 11.7K
$9.30ARS 13.3K
-11.61%
Cappuccino
$2.45ARS 3,494
$2.79ARS 3,978
-12.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26ARS 3,222
$1.71ARS 2,437
32.16%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12ARS 3,018
$1.55ARS 2,216
36.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.21ARS 4,579
$2.08ARS 2,970
54.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.34ARS 4,766
$3.02ARS 4,306
10.60%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mar del Plata
Río Tercero
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10ARS 1,564
$1.25ARS 1,778
-12.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.42ARS 2,031
$1.64ARS 2,342
-13.41%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.06ARS 2,941
$2.03ARS 2,890
1.48%
Eggs
$1.52ARS 2,171
$2.19ARS 3,122
-30.59%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.79ARS 9,681
$10.17ARS 14.5K
-33.24%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.28ARS 7,535
$6.35ARS 9,053
-16.85%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.55ARS 10.8K
$9.56ARS 13.6K
-21.03%
Apples(1kg)
$2.87ARS 4,094
$2.03ARS 2,893
41.38%
Banana(1kg)
$2.13ARS 3,044
$2.14ARS 3,051
-0.47%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.57ARS 2,233
$1.33ARS 1,890
18.05%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.49ARS 3,557
$2.54ARS 3,619
-1.97%
Potato(1kg)
$1.23ARS 1,755
$1.13ARS 1,611
8.85%
Onion(1kg)
$0.95ARS 1,361
$1.26ARS 1,792
-24.60%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.63ARS 895
$1.27ARS 1,811
-50.39%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.17ARS 1,676
$1.44ARS 2,052
-18.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.42ARS 4,877
$3.06ARS 4,371
11.76%
Wine(Bottle)
$2.92ARS 4,163
$5.33ARS 7,598
-45.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38ARS 1,971
$1.98ARS 2,830
-30.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98ARS 2,825
$3.10ARS 4,421
-36.13%
🚌 Getting Around
Mar del Plata
Río Tercero
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.73ARS 1,038
$0.81ARS 1,161
-9.88%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.97ARS 14.2K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.53ARS 2,179
$1.54ARS 2,196
-0.65%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.79ARS 1,121
$0.85ARS 1,215
-7.06%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.95ARS 11.3K
$5.96ARS 8,503
33.39%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14ARS 1,626
$1.06ARS 1,507
7.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.5KARS 39.2M
$27.7KARS 39.5M
-0.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.9KARS 57.0M
$31.0KARS 44.2M
28.90%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mar del Plata
Río Tercero
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.2ARS 120.1K
$66.1ARS 94.4K
27.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.23ARS 14.6K
$16.93ARS 24.1K
-39.57%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.44ARS 36.3K
$22.21ARS 31.7K
14.54%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mar del Plata
Río Tercero
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$17.04ARS 24.3K
$26.11ARS 37.3K
-34.74%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.02ARS 11.4K
$13.67ARS 19.5K
-41.33%
Cinema Ticket
$3.90ARS 5,557
$6.08ARS 8,666
-35.86%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mar del Plata
Río Tercero
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$163ARS 232.0K
$219ARS 312.2K
-25.69%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,145ARS 4.5M
$2,723ARS 3.9M
15.48%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mar del Plata
Río Tercero
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.3ARS 81.7K
$74.8ARS 106.7K
-23.38%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$63.0ARS 89.8K
$69.2ARS 98.7K
-8.98%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$63.9ARS 91.1K
$116ARS 165.2K
-44.82%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$61.9ARS 88.2K
$112ARS 159.7K
-44.74%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mar del Plata
Río Tercero
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$286ARS 408.1K
$338ARS 482.4K
-15.40%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$204ARS 291.6K
$239ARS 340.7K
-14.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$723ARS 1.0M
$694ARS 990.4K
4.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$572ARS 816.2K
$548ARS 781.2K
4.48%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,068ARS 2.9M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mar del Plata
Río Tercero
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$599ARS 855.1K
$660ARS 941.4K
-9.16%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
58.5
58.5
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mar del Plata: May 30, 2026
Last update for Río Tercero: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $286 in Mar del Plata and $338 in Río Tercero. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Río Tercero pays 10% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $38.00 in Mar del Plata vs $34.00 in Río Tercero. Groceries flip the comparison at $194 vs $233, 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 Río Tercero: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Mar del Plata or Río Tercero?
Mar del Plata wins on cost – living expenses run 15% lower than in Río Tercero. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Mar del Plata the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Mar del Plata or Río Tercero?
On paper, Río Tercero earns 10% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Mar del Plata vs Río Tercero?
Rent for a central apartment: $286 in Mar del Plata versus $338 in Río Tercero. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Mar del Plata or Río Tercero?
Supermarket bills run roughly 20% higher in Río Tercero. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Mar del Plata compared to Río Tercero?
All in, you'll spend $847 per month in Mar del Plata versus $978 in Río Tercero – a 15% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $800/month in Mar del Plata or Río Tercero?
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.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Mar del Plata or Río Tercero?
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.
How safe is Mar del Plata compared to Río Tercero?
Safety-wise, Mar del Plata and Río Tercero 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Mar del Plata gentler on the wallet – expenses run 15% less than in Río Tercero. 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