🙂A single person spends $1,332 per month in Mendoza vs $1,345 in Río Tercero, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $2,085 per month in Mendoza vs $2,182 in Río Tercero, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,838 per month in Mendoza vs $3,019 in Río Tercero, rent included.
🙂Mendoza is about 1% cheaper than Río Tercero, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both Mendoza and Río Tercero are more affordable than the global median – Mendoza3% lower, Río Tercero2% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mendoza
Río Tercero
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.20ARS 17.0K
$13.53ARS 20.5K
-17.22%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$50.7ARS 76.8K
$53.6ARS 81.2K
-5.44%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.75ARS 22.3K
$12.85ARS 19.5K
14.79%
Cappuccino
$4.40ARS 6,657
$3.71ARS 5,618
18.60%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42ARS 3,663
$2.51ARS 3,794
-3.59%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96ARS 2,972
$2.08ARS 3,147
-5.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.07ARS 6,168
$3.35ARS 5,078
21.49%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.56ARS 6,899
$3.63ARS 5,490
25.62%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mendoza
Río Tercero
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.40ARS 2,115
$1.62ARS 2,457
-13.58%
White Bread(500g)
$2.21ARS 3,352
$2.85ARS 4,310
-22.46%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.78ARS 4,203
$2.12ARS 3,207
31.13%
Eggs
$3.25ARS 4,921
$2.37ARS 3,581
37.13%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.70ARS 22.3K
$10.36ARS 15.7K
41.89%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.21ARS 9,409
$7.95ARS 12.0K
-21.89%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.04ARS 16.7K
$11.29ARS 17.1K
-2.21%
Apples(1kg)
$2.31ARS 3,504
$2.44ARS 3,698
-5.33%
Banana(1kg)
$2.21ARS 3,350
$2.31ARS 3,495
-4.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.31ARS 1,978
$1.60ARS 2,419
-18.13%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.34ARS 5,056
$2.77ARS 4,187
20.58%
Potato(1kg)
$2.00ARS 3,032
$1.18ARS 1,782
69.49%
Onion(1kg)
$1.50ARS 2,278
$1.34ARS 2,024
11.94%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.94ARS 2,934
$1.26ARS 1,903
53.97%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.47ARS 3,747
$1.68ARS 2,541
47.02%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.70ARS 4,091
$4.93ARS 7,462
-45.23%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.93ARS 7,470
$4.88ARS 7,394
1.02%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70ARS 2,572
$2.27ARS 3,430
-25.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.94ARS 4,454
$3.75ARS 5,682
-21.60%
🚌 Getting Around
Mendoza
Río Tercero
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.97ARS 1,472
$1.15ARS 1,749
-15.65%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$20.05ARS 30.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.05ARS 3,110
$1.22ARS 1,841
68.03%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.03ARS 1,553
$1.98ARS 2,990
-47.98%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.80ARS 7,274
$6.90ARS 10.4K
-30.43%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.22ARS 1,849
$1.16ARS 1,749
5.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.3KARS 41.4M
$34.4KARS 52.1M
-20.54%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.0KARS 50.0M
$35.5KARS 53.8M
-7.01%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mendoza
Río Tercero
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$134ARS 203.3K
$162ARS 245.9K
-17.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.34ARS 26.3K
$16.89ARS 25.6K
2.66%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.56ARS 35.7K
$32.40ARS 49.1K
-27.28%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mendoza
Río Tercero
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$29.72ARS 45.0K
$30.90ARS 46.8K
-3.82%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.02ARS 27.3K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.21ARS 10.9K
$10.09ARS 15.3K
-28.54%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mendoza
Río Tercero
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$173ARS 262.2K
$214ARS 323.5K
-18.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,161ARS 6.3M
$4,107ARS 6.2M
1.31%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mendoza
Río Tercero
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$113ARS 171.1K
$125ARS 189.3K
-9.60%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$124ARS 187.3K
$106ARS 160.5K
16.65%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$136ARS 205.7K
$139ARS 209.9K
-1.96%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$128ARS 194.2K
$137ARS 207.5K
-6.41%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mendoza
Río Tercero
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$486ARS 735.8K
$494ARS 747.6K
-1.58%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$330ARS 499.0K
$367ARS 555.0K
-10.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$865ARS 1.3M
$847ARS 1.3M
2.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$651ARS 986.1K
$647ARS 979.4K
0.68%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,683ARS 2.5M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,116ARS 1.7M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mendoza
Río Tercero
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$779ARS 1.2M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
59
48.5
21.65%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mendoza: September 14, 2026
Last update for Río Tercero: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $486 in Mendoza versus $494 in Río Tercero. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $51.0 in Mendoza versus $54.0 in Río Tercero. Groceries tell a different story – $286 in Mendoza vs $274 in Río Tercero – so Río Tercero wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Río Tercero: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Río Tercero cheaper than Mendoza?
Yes – Río Tercero is pricier by about 1%, and the gap shows up most in Getting Around. 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 $1,999 per month in Mendoza and $2,018 in Río Tercero. 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 Mendoza, 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 Río Tercero?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,332 in Mendoza and $1,345 in Río Tercero. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $173 per month in Mendoza and $214 in Río Tercero. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Mendoza or in Río Tercero?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Mendoza, where all-in costs run around $1,332, than in Río Tercero at $1,345. In Mendoza it covers expenses comfortably, while in Río Tercero it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Mendoza or Río Tercero more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Mendoza – 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 Río Tercero?
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 Mendoza. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Río Tercero makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.