🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $841 in Mar del Plata versus $946 in Río Tercero.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,452 in Mar del Plata versus $1,583 in Río Tercero.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,062 in Mar del Plata versus $2,219 in Río Tercero.
🌍Living in Mar del Plata costs roughly 11% less than in Río Tercero, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Mar del Plata37% lower, Río Tercero29% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mar del Plata
Río Tercero
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.58ARS 14.2K
$10.41ARS 15.4K
-7.97%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$36.91ARS 54.5K
$34.32ARS 50.7K
7.55%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.12ARS 12.0K
$9.16ARS 13.5K
-11.35%
Cappuccino
$2.49ARS 3,674
$2.69ARS 3,980
-7.43%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.27ARS 3,353
$1.69ARS 2,498
34.32%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15ARS 3,176
$1.53ARS 2,266
40.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.29ARS 4,870
$2.07ARS 3,055
58.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18ARS 4,707
$3.09ARS 4,563
2.91%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mar del Plata
Río Tercero
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05ARS 1,557
$1.26ARS 1,861
-16.67%
White Bread(500g)
$1.43ARS 2,114
$1.63ARS 2,416
-12.27%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.15ARS 3,180
$2.04ARS 3,015
5.39%
Eggs
$1.55ARS 2,296
$2.18ARS 3,224
-28.90%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.64ARS 9,818
$10.01ARS 14.8K
-33.67%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.13ARS 7,584
$6.05ARS 8,938
-15.21%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.75ARS 11.5K
$9.28ARS 13.7K
-16.49%
Apples(1kg)
$2.72ARS 4,014
$2.04ARS 3,020
33.33%
Banana(1kg)
$2.11ARS 3,119
$2.13ARS 3,154
-0.94%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.55ARS 2,296
$1.32ARS 1,945
17.42%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.50ARS 3,689
$2.61ARS 3,862
-4.21%
Potato(1kg)
$1.22ARS 1,796
$1.17ARS 1,732
4.27%
Onion(1kg)
$1.03ARS 1,519
$1.24ARS 1,830
-16.94%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67ARS 985
$1.25ARS 1,850
-46.40%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.16ARS 1,717
$1.42ARS 2,099
-18.31%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.55ARS 5,251
$3.08ARS 4,546
15.26%
Wine(Bottle)
$2.97ARS 4,394
$4.94ARS 7,305
-39.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38ARS 2,039
$2.05ARS 3,025
-32.68%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05ARS 3,030
$3.05ARS 4,510
-32.79%
🚌 Getting Around
Mar del Plata
Río Tercero
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.71ARS 1,051
$0.84ARS 1,241
-15.48%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.89ARS 14.6K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47ARS 2,167
$1.53ARS 2,260
-3.92%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.77ARS 1,133
$0.91ARS 1,344
-15.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.23ARS 12.2K
$5.91ARS 8,732
39.26%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14ARS 1,685
$1.06ARS 1,561
7.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.5KARS 40.7M
$27.9KARS 41.2M
-1.21%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.7KARS 58.7M
$30.9KARS 45.7M
28.51%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mar del Plata
Río Tercero
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$86.7ARS 128.1K
$67.5ARS 99.8K
28.41%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.21ARS 15.1K
$16.87ARS 24.9K
-39.48%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.91ARS 36.8K
$22.60ARS 33.4K
10.22%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mar del Plata
Río Tercero
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$17.08ARS 25.2K
$25.65ARS 37.9K
-33.41%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.77ARS 11.5K
$13.74ARS 20.3K
-43.45%
Cinema Ticket
$4.01ARS 5,930
$6.23ARS 9,205
-35.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mar del Plata
Río Tercero
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$162ARS 239.1K
$222ARS 327.7K
-27.04%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,184ARS 4.7M
$2,655ARS 3.9M
19.93%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mar del Plata
Río Tercero
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.5ARS 82.1K
$73.4ARS 108.5K
-24.31%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$62.8ARS 92.9K
$68.3ARS 101.0K
-8.02%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$65.2ARS 96.4K
$116ARS 170.9K
-43.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$61.4ARS 90.8K
$114ARS 168.5K
-46.12%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mar del Plata
Río Tercero
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$278ARS 411.3K
$342ARS 505.7K
-18.66%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$203ARS 300.2K
$234ARS 345.3K
-13.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$707ARS 1.0M
$678ARS 1.0M
4.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$581ARS 859.4K
$540ARS 798.7K
7.60%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,465ARS 3.6M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,406ARS 2.1M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mar del Plata
Río Tercero
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$602ARS 890.3K
$641ARS 947.2K
-6.00%
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: July 12, 2026
Last update for Río Tercero: July 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $278 in Mar del Plata and $342 in Río Tercero. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Río Tercero pays 6% 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: $37.00 in Mar del Plata vs $34.00 in Río Tercero. 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 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 12% 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 in Río Tercero?
On paper, salaries run 6% lower in Río Tercero. 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 compared to Río Tercero?
Rent for a central apartment: $278 in Mar del Plata versus $342 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 in Río Tercero?
Supermarket bills run roughly 19% 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 $841 per month in Mar del Plata versus $946 in Río Tercero – a 12% 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 in 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 12% 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