😐A single person spends $1,067 per month in Mendoza vs $888 in Quilmes, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,709 per month in Mendoza vs $1,482 in Quilmes, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,351 per month in Mendoza vs $2,075 in Quilmes, rent included.
😐Mendoza costs about 20% more than Quilmes, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Mendoza and Quilmes are more affordable than the global median – Mendoza20% lower, Quilmes33% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mendoza
Quilmes
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.11ARS 16.6K
$8.77ARS 13.1K
26.68%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$40.23ARS 60.1K
$30.08ARS 45.0K
33.74%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.65ARS 14.4K
$8.94ARS 13.4K
7.94%
Cappuccino
$3.75ARS 5,608
$1.72ARS 2,566
118.02%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22ARS 3,324
$1.31ARS 1,960
69.47%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.00ARS 2,987
$1.14ARS 1,704
75.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.02ARS 3,018
$1.19ARS 1,786
69.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.03ARS 4,529
$2.72ARS 4,063
11.40%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mendoza
Quilmes
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.31ARS 1,960
$1.27ARS 1,903
3.15%
White Bread(500g)
$1.50ARS 2,246
$1.60ARS 2,388
-6.25%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.03ARS 3,038
$1.80ARS 2,684
12.78%
Eggs
$2.17ARS 3,251
$2.25ARS 3,362
-3.56%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.72ARS 17.5K
$13.33ARS 19.9K
-12.08%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.59ARS 11.4K
$6.08ARS 9,089
24.84%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.38ARS 14.0K
$10.34ARS 15.5K
-9.28%
Apples(1kg)
$1.98ARS 2,957
$1.90ARS 2,838
4.21%
Banana(1kg)
$1.53ARS 2,289
$2.15ARS 3,214
-28.84%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.48ARS 2,216
$1.00ARS 1,497
48.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.16ARS 3,231
$2.60ARS 3,882
-16.92%
Potato(1kg)
$0.99ARS 1,475
$1.13ARS 1,688
-12.39%
Onion(1kg)
$1.01ARS 1,515
$1.37ARS 2,046
-26.28%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.98ARS 1,469
$0.86ARS 1,293
13.95%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.64ARS 3,947
$1.83ARS 2,743
44.26%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.46ARS 3,684
$3.50ARS 5,234
-29.71%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.86ARS 7,271
$4.27ARS 6,377
13.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.98ARS 2,962
$1.28ARS 1,919
54.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.46ARS 5,165
$3.13ARS 4,684
10.54%
🚌 Getting Around
Mendoza
Quilmes
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.67ARS 1,006
$0.79ARS 1,177
-15.19%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.84ARS 28.2K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.42ARS 625
$2.47ARS 3,695
-83.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.99ARS 1,477
$0.92ARS 1,383
7.61%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.04ARS 7,533
$6.17ARS 9,220
-18.31%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.21ARS 1,804
$1.07ARS 1,595
13.08%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.0KARS 47.8M
$24.4KARS 36.5M
31.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.9KARS 49.2M
$25.6KARS 38.3M
28.67%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mendoza
Quilmes
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$77.4ARS 115.7K
$56.3ARS 84.1K
37.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.57ARS 26.3K
$18.53ARS 27.7K
-5.18%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.17ARS 33.1K
$14.83ARS 22.2K
49.49%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mendoza
Quilmes
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$27.31ARS 40.8K
$26.27ARS 39.3K
3.96%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.74ARS 23.5K
$13.51ARS 20.2K
16.51%
Cinema Ticket
$6.05ARS 9,047
$5.10ARS 7,627
18.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mendoza
Quilmes
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$101ARS 151.7K
$219ARS 326.9K
-53.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,174ARS 3.2M
$1,087ARS 1.6M
99.99%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mendoza
Quilmes
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$82.2ARS 122.9K
$61.6ARS 92.1K
33.48%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$76.5ARS 114.4K
$61.0ARS 91.2K
25.48%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$148ARS 221.0K
$107ARS 160.6K
37.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$117ARS 175.2K
$95.5ARS 142.8K
22.69%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mendoza
Quilmes
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$367ARS 547.9K
$336ARS 502.1K
9.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$265ARS 396.9K
$233ARS 348.8K
13.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$609ARS 911.2K
$671ARS 1.0M
-9.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$514ARS 768.6K
$543ARS 812.2K
-5.37%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,667ARS 2.5M
$2,390ARS 3.6M
-30.26%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,095ARS 1.6M
$1,755ARS 2.6M
-37.63%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mendoza
Quilmes
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$743ARS 1.1M
$1,109ARS 1.7M
-33.00%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
79
100
-21.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mendoza: July 27, 2026
Last update for Quilmes: July 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $367 in Mendoza versus $336 in Quilmes. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 49% higher in Quilmes, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $40.00 in Mendoza versus $30.00 in Quilmes. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $249 vs $238 – 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 – Mendoza is pricier by about 20%, 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 $1,601 per month in Mendoza and $1,332 in Quilmes. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – 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 and in Quilmes?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,067 in Mendoza and $888 in Quilmes. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $101 per month in Mendoza and $219 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 living in Mendoza or in Quilmes?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Quilmes, where all-in costs run around $888, than in Mendoza at $1,067. 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 – 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 – 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.