πA single person spends $1,084 per month in Mendoza vs $888 in Quilmes, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,724 per month in Mendoza vs $1,488 in Quilmes, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,363 per month in Mendoza vs $2,087 in Quilmes, rent included.
πMendoza costs about 22% more than Quilmes, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Mendoza and Quilmes are more affordable than the global median β Mendoza19% lower, Quilmes34% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Mendoza
Quilmes
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.90ARSΒ 15.4K
$8.94ARSΒ 12.6K
21.92%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$40.34ARSΒ 56.8K
$30.28ARSΒ 42.6K
33.22%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.60ARSΒ 13.5K
$9.14ARSΒ 12.9K
5.03%
Cappuccino
$3.62ARSΒ 5,094
$1.70ARSΒ 2,399
112.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26ARSΒ 3,185
$1.27ARSΒ 1,791
77.95%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06ARSΒ 2,907
$1.18ARSΒ 1,657
74.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.95ARSΒ 2,747
$1.25ARSΒ 1,763
56.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97ARSΒ 4,178
$2.70ARSΒ 3,809
10.00%
π Groceries & Markets
Mendoza
Quilmes
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.27ARSΒ 1,790
$1.26ARSΒ 1,779
0.79%
White Bread(500g)
$1.53ARSΒ 2,159
$1.59ARSΒ 2,236
-3.77%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.96ARSΒ 2,759
$1.83ARSΒ 2,580
7.10%
Eggs
$2.21ARSΒ 3,117
$2.15ARSΒ 3,027
2.79%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.44ARSΒ 16.1K
$12.98ARSΒ 18.3K
-11.86%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.34ARSΒ 10.3K
$6.01ARSΒ 8,459
22.13%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.69ARSΒ 13.6K
$10.29ARSΒ 14.5K
-5.83%
Apples(1kg)
$1.98ARSΒ 2,784
$1.83ARSΒ 2,571
8.20%
Banana(1kg)
$1.47ARSΒ 2,076
$2.19ARSΒ 3,082
-32.88%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52ARSΒ 2,134
$0.99ARSΒ 1,390
53.54%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.15ARSΒ 3,021
$2.64ARSΒ 3,715
-18.56%
Potato(1kg)
$0.98ARSΒ 1,381
$1.14ARSΒ 1,599
-14.04%
Onion(1kg)
$1.03ARSΒ 1,445
$1.39ARSΒ 1,956
-25.90%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.98ARSΒ 1,374
$0.87ARSΒ 1,223
12.64%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.62ARSΒ 3,688
$1.87ARSΒ 2,638
40.11%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.44ARSΒ 3,430
$3.32ARSΒ 4,671
-26.51%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.97ARSΒ 7,003
$5.12ARSΒ 7,206
-2.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.96ARSΒ 2,766
$1.30ARSΒ 1,836
50.77%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.40ARSΒ 4,791
$3.02ARSΒ 4,252
12.58%
π Getting Around
Mendoza
Quilmes
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.71ARSΒ 1,003
$0.83ARSΒ 1,165
-14.46%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.66ARSΒ 26.3K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.44ARSΒ 623
$2.55ARSΒ 3,589
-82.75%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.03ARSΒ 1,446
$0.92ARSΒ 1,297
11.96%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.76ARSΒ 6,710
$5.86ARSΒ 8,254
-18.77%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.19ARSΒ 1,680
$1.06ARSΒ 1,496
12.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.1KARSΒ 45.2M
$24.1KARSΒ 34.0M
33.00%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.1KARSΒ 46.6M
$26.3KARSΒ 37.0M
25.83%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mendoza
Quilmes
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$75.8ARSΒ 106.7K
$56.0ARSΒ 78.8K
35.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.27ARSΒ 24.3K
$18.84ARSΒ 26.5K
-8.33%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.09ARSΒ 31.1K
$14.86ARSΒ 20.9K
48.65%
π Sport & Entertainment
Mendoza
Quilmes
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$27.87ARSΒ 39.2K
$26.35ARSΒ 37.1K
5.77%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.09ARSΒ 22.7K
$13.75ARSΒ 19.4K
17.02%
Cinema Ticket
$5.90ARSΒ 8,303
$4.96ARSΒ 6,983
18.95%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Mendoza
Quilmes
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$104ARSΒ 146.5K
$221ARSΒ 310.7K
-52.85%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,157ARSΒ 3.0M
$1,096ARSΒ 1.5M
96.79%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Mendoza
Quilmes
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$82.9ARSΒ 116.7K
$61.1ARSΒ 86.1K
35.61%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$75.4ARSΒ 106.2K
$58.9ARSΒ 82.9K
28.17%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$151ARSΒ 213.2K
$109ARSΒ 154.1K
38.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$118ARSΒ 166.1K
$95.7ARSΒ 134.7K
23.29%
π Accommodation & Living
Mendoza
Quilmes
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$356ARSΒ 501.5K
$344ARSΒ 484.6K
3.49%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$272ARSΒ 382.5K
$237ARSΒ 333.3K
14.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$603ARSΒ 848.9K
$681ARSΒ 959.5K
-11.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$510ARSΒ 718.3K
$541ARSΒ 762.3K
-5.77%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,680ARSΒ 2.4M
$2,314ARSΒ 3.3M
-27.43%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,107ARSΒ 1.6M
$1,764ARSΒ 2.5M
-37.22%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Mendoza
Quilmes
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$739ARSΒ 1.0M
$1,106ARSΒ 1.6M
-33.21%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
79
100
-21.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mendoza: April 26, 2026
Last update for Quilmes: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $356 in Mendoza versus $344 in Quilmes. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 50% higher in Quilmes, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $40.00 in Mendoza versus $30.00 in Quilmes. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $247 vs $239 β making Quilmes the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Mendoza vs Quilmes: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Quilmes cheaper than Mendoza?
Yes β Mendoza is pricier by about 22%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,626 per month in Mendoza and $1,332 in Quilmes. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Quilmes, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Mendoza vs Quilmes?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,084 in Mendoza and $888 in Quilmes. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $104 per month in Mendoza and $221 in Quilmes. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for Mendoza or Quilmes?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Quilmes, where all-in costs run around $888, than in Mendoza at $1,084. In Quilmes it covers expenses comfortably, while in Mendoza it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Mendoza or Quilmes more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Quilmes β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Mendoza or Quilmes?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Quilmes. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Mendoza makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.