😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $978 in Río Tercero versus $847 in Mar del Plata.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,591 in Río Tercero versus $1,433 in Mar del Plata.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,204 in Río Tercero versus $2,019 in Mar del Plata.
😐Living in Río Tercero is roughly 15% more expensive than Mar del Plata, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Río Tercero27% lower, Mar del Plata37% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Río Tercero
Mar del Plata
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.62ARS 15.1K
$9.93ARS 14.2K
6.95%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.61ARS 47.9K
$37.70ARS 53.8K
-10.85%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.30ARS 13.3K
$8.22ARS 11.7K
13.14%
Cappuccino
$2.79ARS 3,978
$2.45ARS 3,494
13.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.71ARS 2,437
$2.26ARS 3,222
-24.34%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.55ARS 2,216
$2.12ARS 3,018
-26.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.08ARS 2,970
$3.21ARS 4,579
-35.20%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.02ARS 4,306
$3.34ARS 4,766
-9.58%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Río Tercero
Mar del Plata
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.25ARS 1,778
$1.10ARS 1,564
13.64%
White Bread(500g)
$1.64ARS 2,342
$1.42ARS 2,031
15.49%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.03ARS 2,890
$2.06ARS 2,941
-1.46%
Eggs
$2.19ARS 3,122
$1.52ARS 2,171
44.08%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.17ARS 14.5K
$6.79ARS 9,681
49.78%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.35ARS 9,053
$5.28ARS 7,535
20.27%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.56ARS 13.6K
$7.55ARS 10.8K
26.62%
Apples(1kg)
$2.03ARS 2,893
$2.87ARS 4,094
-29.27%
Banana(1kg)
$2.14ARS 3,051
$2.13ARS 3,044
0.47%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.33ARS 1,890
$1.57ARS 2,233
-15.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.54ARS 3,619
$2.49ARS 3,557
2.01%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13ARS 1,611
$1.23ARS 1,755
-8.13%
Onion(1kg)
$1.26ARS 1,792
$0.95ARS 1,361
32.63%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.27ARS 1,811
$0.63ARS 895
101.59%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.44ARS 2,052
$1.17ARS 1,676
23.08%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.06ARS 4,371
$3.42ARS 4,877
-10.53%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.33ARS 7,598
$2.92ARS 4,163
82.53%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.98ARS 2,830
$1.38ARS 1,971
43.48%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10ARS 4,421
$1.98ARS 2,825
56.57%
🚌 Getting Around
Río Tercero
Mar del Plata
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.81ARS 1,161
$0.73ARS 1,038
10.96%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$9.97ARS 14.2K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.54ARS 2,196
$1.53ARS 2,179
0.65%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.85ARS 1,215
$0.79ARS 1,121
7.59%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.96ARS 8,503
$7.95ARS 11.3K
-25.03%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.06ARS 1,507
$1.14ARS 1,626
-7.02%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.7KARS 39.5M
$27.5KARS 39.2M
0.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.0KARS 44.2M
$39.9KARS 57.0M
-22.42%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Río Tercero
Mar del Plata
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$66.1ARS 94.4K
$84.2ARS 120.1K
-21.46%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.93ARS 24.1K
$10.23ARS 14.6K
65.49%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.21ARS 31.7K
$25.44ARS 36.3K
-12.70%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Río Tercero
Mar del Plata
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$26.11ARS 37.3K
$17.04ARS 24.3K
53.23%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.67ARS 19.5K
$8.02ARS 11.4K
70.45%
Cinema Ticket
$6.08ARS 8,666
$3.90ARS 5,557
55.90%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Río Tercero
Mar del Plata
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$219ARS 312.2K
$163ARS 232.0K
34.57%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,723ARS 3.9M
$3,145ARS 4.5M
-13.41%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Río Tercero
Mar del Plata
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$74.8ARS 106.7K
$57.3ARS 81.7K
30.51%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$69.2ARS 98.7K
$63.0ARS 89.8K
9.86%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$116ARS 165.2K
$63.9ARS 91.1K
81.23%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112ARS 159.7K
$61.9ARS 88.2K
80.96%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Río Tercero
Mar del Plata
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$338ARS 482.4K
$286ARS 408.1K
18.20%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$239ARS 340.7K
$204ARS 291.6K
16.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$694ARS 990.4K
$723ARS 1.0M
-3.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$548ARS 781.2K
$572ARS 816.2K
-4.29%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,068ARS 2.9M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Río Tercero
Mar del Plata
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$660ARS 941.4K
$599ARS 855.1K
10.09%
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: May 30, 2026
Last update for Mar del Plata: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $338 in Río Tercero and $286 in Mar del Plata. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Río Tercero pays 10% 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 $38.00 in Mar del Plata. Groceries flip the comparison at $233 vs $194, 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 15% 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 Mar del Plata?
Río Tercero pays 10% more on average, 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 vs Mar del Plata?
Rent for a central apartment: $338 in Río Tercero versus $286 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 Mar del Plata?
Supermarket bills run roughly 20% 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 $978 per month in Río Tercero versus $847 in Mar del Plata – a 15% 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 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 15% 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