😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $946 in Río Tercero versus $841 in Mar del Plata.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,583 in Río Tercero versus $1,452 in Mar del Plata.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,219 in Río Tercero versus $2,062 in Mar del Plata.
🌍Living in Río Tercero is roughly 12% more expensive than in Mar del Plata, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Río Tercero29% lower, Mar del Plata37% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Río Tercero
Mar del Plata
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.41ARS 15.4K
$9.58ARS 14.2K
8.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.32ARS 50.7K
$36.91ARS 54.5K
-7.02%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.16ARS 13.5K
$8.12ARS 12.0K
12.81%
Cappuccino
$2.69ARS 3,980
$2.49ARS 3,674
8.03%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.69ARS 2,498
$2.27ARS 3,353
-25.55%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.53ARS 2,266
$2.15ARS 3,176
-28.84%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.07ARS 3,055
$3.29ARS 4,870
-37.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.09ARS 4,563
$3.18ARS 4,707
-2.83%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Río Tercero
Mar del Plata
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.26ARS 1,861
$1.05ARS 1,557
20.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.63ARS 2,416
$1.43ARS 2,114
13.99%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.04ARS 3,015
$2.15ARS 3,180
-5.12%
Eggs
$2.18ARS 3,224
$1.55ARS 2,296
40.65%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.01ARS 14.8K
$6.64ARS 9,818
50.75%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.05ARS 8,938
$5.13ARS 7,584
17.93%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.28ARS 13.7K
$7.75ARS 11.5K
19.74%
Apples(1kg)
$2.04ARS 3,020
$2.72ARS 4,014
-25.00%
Banana(1kg)
$2.13ARS 3,154
$2.11ARS 3,119
0.95%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.32ARS 1,945
$1.55ARS 2,296
-14.84%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.61ARS 3,862
$2.50ARS 3,689
4.40%
Potato(1kg)
$1.17ARS 1,732
$1.22ARS 1,796
-4.10%
Onion(1kg)
$1.24ARS 1,830
$1.03ARS 1,519
20.39%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.25ARS 1,850
$0.67ARS 985
86.57%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.42ARS 2,099
$1.16ARS 1,717
22.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.08ARS 4,546
$3.55ARS 5,251
-13.24%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.94ARS 7,305
$2.97ARS 4,394
66.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.05ARS 3,025
$1.38ARS 2,039
48.55%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.05ARS 4,510
$2.05ARS 3,030
48.78%
🚌 Getting Around
Río Tercero
Mar del Plata
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.84ARS 1,241
$0.71ARS 1,051
18.31%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$9.89ARS 14.6K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.53ARS 2,260
$1.47ARS 2,167
4.08%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.91ARS 1,344
$0.77ARS 1,133
18.18%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.91ARS 8,732
$8.23ARS 12.2K
-28.19%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.06ARS 1,561
$1.14ARS 1,685
-7.02%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.9KARS 41.2M
$27.5KARS 40.7M
1.22%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.9KARS 45.7M
$39.7KARS 58.7M
-22.18%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Río Tercero
Mar del Plata
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$67.5ARS 99.8K
$86.7ARS 128.1K
-22.12%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.87ARS 24.9K
$10.21ARS 15.1K
65.23%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.60ARS 33.4K
$24.91ARS 36.8K
-9.27%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Río Tercero
Mar del Plata
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.65ARS 37.9K
$17.08ARS 25.2K
50.18%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.74ARS 20.3K
$7.77ARS 11.5K
76.83%
Cinema Ticket
$6.23ARS 9,205
$4.01ARS 5,930
55.36%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Río Tercero
Mar del Plata
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$222ARS 327.7K
$162ARS 239.1K
37.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,655ARS 3.9M
$3,184ARS 4.7M
-16.62%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Río Tercero
Mar del Plata
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$73.4ARS 108.5K
$55.5ARS 82.1K
32.12%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$68.3ARS 101.0K
$62.8ARS 92.9K
8.72%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$116ARS 170.9K
$65.2ARS 96.4K
77.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114ARS 168.5K
$61.4ARS 90.8K
85.59%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Río Tercero
Mar del Plata
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$342ARS 505.7K
$278ARS 411.3K
22.94%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$234ARS 345.3K
$203ARS 300.2K
15.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$678ARS 1.0M
$707ARS 1.0M
-4.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$540ARS 798.7K
$581ARS 859.4K
-7.07%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,465ARS 3.6M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,406ARS 2.1M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Río Tercero
Mar del Plata
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$641ARS 947.2K
$602ARS 890.3K
6.39%
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 Río Tercero: July 14, 2026
Last update for Mar del Plata: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $342 in Río Tercero and $278 in Mar del Plata. 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: $34.00 in Río Tercero vs $37.00 in Mar del Plata. Groceries flip the comparison at $230 vs $193, 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
Río Tercero vs Mar del Plata: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Río Tercero or Mar del Plata?
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 Río Tercero or in Mar del Plata?
Average pay runs 6% higher in Río Tercero, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Río Tercero compared to Mar del Plata?
Rent for a central apartment: $342 in Río Tercero versus $278 in Mar del Plata. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Río Tercero or in Mar del Plata?
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 Río Tercero compared to Mar del Plata?
All in, you'll spend $946 per month in Río Tercero versus $841 in Mar del Plata – a 12% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $800/month in Río Tercero or in Mar del Plata?
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: Río Tercero or Mar del Plata?
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 Río Tercero compared to Mar del Plata?
Safety-wise, Río Tercero and Mar del Plata 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.
Río Tercero vs other spots: cost of living compared