😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $981 in Santa Rosa versus $838 in Mar del Plata.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,592 in Santa Rosa versus $1,425 in Mar del Plata.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,203 in Santa Rosa versus $2,011 in Mar del Plata.
😐Living in Santa Rosa is roughly 17% more expensive than Mar del Plata, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Santa Rosa27% lower, Mar del Plata37% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.42ARS 14.5K
$9.87ARS 13.8K
5.57%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.83ARS 47.2K
$36.84ARS 51.4K
-8.17%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.01ARS 12.6K
$8.28ARS 11.5K
8.82%
Cappuccino
$2.76ARS 3,848
$2.42ARS 3,371
14.05%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.69ARS 2,363
$2.20ARS 3,069
-23.18%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.55ARS 2,163
$2.05ARS 2,865
-24.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.06ARS 2,875
$3.20ARS 4,462
-35.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.96ARS 4,123
$3.31ARS 4,622
-10.57%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.29ARS 1,802
$1.11ARS 1,545
16.22%
White Bread(500g)
$1.58ARS 2,201
$1.42ARS 1,982
11.27%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.00ARS 2,795
$2.08ARS 2,909
-3.85%
Eggs
$2.20ARS 3,065
$1.49ARS 2,085
47.65%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.14ARS 14.2K
$6.73ARS 9,388
50.67%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.28ARS 8,756
$5.33ARS 7,438
17.82%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.64ARS 13.5K
$7.45ARS 10.4K
29.40%
Apples(1kg)
$1.98ARS 2,760
$2.72ARS 3,794
-27.21%
Banana(1kg)
$2.07ARS 2,891
$2.12ARS 2,959
-2.36%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.32ARS 1,840
$1.51ARS 2,102
-12.58%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.53ARS 3,533
$2.52ARS 3,519
0.40%
Potato(1kg)
$1.18ARS 1,649
$1.29ARS 1,793
-8.53%
Onion(1kg)
$1.25ARS 1,745
$1.00ARS 1,389
25.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.31ARS 1,824
$0.63ARS 873
107.94%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.43ARS 1,997
$1.20ARS 1,681
19.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.05ARS 4,252
$3.54ARS 4,941
-13.84%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.52ARS 7,705
$4.94ARS 6,896
11.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.09ARS 2,912
$1.34ARS 1,874
55.97%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.02ARS 4,212
$1.95ARS 2,722
54.87%
🚌 Getting Around
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.76ARS 1,065
$0.76ARS 1,060
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$9.90ARS 13.8K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47ARS 2,052
$1.53ARS 2,139
-3.92%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.92ARS 1,285
$0.77ARS 1,069
19.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.07ARS 8,472
$7.91ARS 11.0K
-23.26%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.07ARS 1,493
$1.13ARS 1,580
-5.31%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.0KARS 37.7M
$27.9KARS 38.9M
-3.16%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.6KARS 42.7M
$40.2KARS 56.0M
-23.78%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$67.7ARS 94.4K
$83.7ARS 116.8K
-19.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.20ARS 24.0K
$10.36ARS 14.5K
66.02%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.64ARS 31.6K
$25.20ARS 35.2K
-10.16%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.77ARS 36.0K
$17.02ARS 23.8K
51.41%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.72ARS 19.1K
$7.93ARS 11.1K
73.01%
Cinema Ticket
$6.13ARS 8,556
$3.89ARS 5,431
57.58%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$218ARS 303.9K
$159ARS 221.8K
37.02%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,748ARS 3.8M
$3,227ARS 4.5M
-14.85%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$72.9ARS 101.7K
$55.5ARS 77.4K
31.38%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$68.4ARS 95.4K
$61.7ARS 86.1K
10.75%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$115ARS 160.0K
$63.9ARS 89.1K
79.52%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111ARS 154.7K
$63.6ARS 88.7K
74.29%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$335ARS 467.3K
$281ARS 391.5K
19.35%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$241ARS 336.4K
$206ARS 287.4K
17.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$692ARS 966.2K
$734ARS 1.0M
-5.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$532ARS 742.4K
$575ARS 802.1K
-7.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,130ARS 3.0M
$2,203ARS 3.1M
-3.29%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$604ARS 842.6K
-
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 Santa Rosa: April 27, 2026
Last update for Mar del Plata: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $335 in Santa Rosa and $281 in Mar del Plata. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $34.00 in Santa Rosa vs $37.00 in Mar del Plata. Groceries flip the comparison at $232 vs $197, 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
Santa Rosa vs Mar del Plata: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Santa Rosa or Mar del Plata?
Mar del Plata wins on cost – living expenses run 17% lower than in Santa Rosa. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Mar del Plata the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Santa Rosa vs Mar del Plata?
You'd need roughly $1,472 in Santa Rosa and $1,257 in Mar del Plata to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Santa Rosa vs Mar del Plata?
Rent for a central apartment: $335 in Santa Rosa versus $281 in Mar del Plata. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Santa Rosa or Mar del Plata?
Supermarket bills run roughly 18% higher in Santa Rosa. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Santa Rosa compared to Mar del Plata?
All in, you'll spend $981 per month in Santa Rosa versus $838 in Mar del Plata – a 17% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $800/month in Santa Rosa 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: Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa compared to Mar del Plata?
Safety-wise, Santa Rosa 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 17% less than in Santa Rosa. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Santa Rosa vs other spots: cost of living compared