😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,141 in Santa Rosa versus $1,023 in Mar del Plata.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,888 in Santa Rosa versus $1,784 in Mar del Plata.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,636 in Santa Rosa versus $2,544 in Mar del Plata.
🌍Living in Santa Rosa is roughly 11% more expensive than in Mar del Plata, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Santa Rosa17% lower, Mar del Plata25% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.00ARS 22.7K
$20.19ARS 30.5K
-25.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.5ARS 91.4K
$60.2ARS 91.1K
0.40%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.00ARS 19.7K
$12.54ARS 19.0K
3.67%
Cappuccino
$3.52ARS 5,324
$3.12ARS 4,711
12.82%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97ARS 2,973
$2.47ARS 3,732
-20.24%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.78ARS 2,695
$2.03ARS 3,069
-12.32%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.17ARS 6,300
$4.10ARS 6,204
1.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.63ARS 7,005
$3.02ARS 4,565
53.31%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.30ARS 1,973
$1.07ARS 1,619
21.50%
White Bread(500g)
$2.42ARS 3,661
$2.20ARS 3,319
10.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.62ARS 2,453
$3.19ARS 4,822
-49.22%
Eggs
$2.25ARS 3,404
$2.35ARS 3,551
-4.26%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.18ARS 15.4K
$5.90ARS 8,917
72.54%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.28ARS 12.5K
$6.44ARS 9,737
28.57%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.74ARS 16.2K
$12.52ARS 18.9K
-14.22%
Apples(1kg)
$2.65ARS 4,006
$3.25ARS 4,917
-18.46%
Banana(1kg)
$2.37ARS 3,588
$2.45ARS 3,702
-3.27%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.49ARS 2,254
$1.47ARS 2,217
1.36%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.50ARS 3,784
$2.04ARS 3,087
22.55%
Onion(1kg)
$1.25ARS 1,894
$1.02ARS 1,545
22.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.43ARS 5,183
$3.56ARS 5,376
-3.65%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.70ARS 7,102
$2.97ARS 4,493
58.25%
🚌 Getting Around
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.89ARS 1,352
$1.28ARS 1,943
-30.47%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42ARS 2,149
$1.65ARS 2,502
-13.94%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$0.70ARS 1,052
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$6.49ARS 9,814
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.04ARS 1,578
$1.38ARS 2,080
-24.64%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$106ARS 160.7K
$81.3ARS 123.0K
30.69%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.51ARS 29.5K
$7.94ARS 12.0K
145.72%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.42ARS 39.9K
$30.34ARS 45.9K
-12.92%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$28.20ARS 42.6K
$31.56ARS 47.7K
-10.65%
Cinema Ticket
$9.56ARS 14.5K
$10.14ARS 15.3K
-5.72%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$328ARS 496.0K
$300ARS 454.2K
9.22%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$95.4ARS 144.2K
$87.6ARS 132.5K
8.80%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$114ARS 171.8K
$120ARS 182.0K
-5.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$142ARS 214.4K
$54.0ARS 81.7K
162.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$466ARS 704.5K
$329ARS 496.9K
41.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$335ARS 505.9K
$256ARS 386.4K
30.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$913ARS 1.4M
$813ARS 1.2M
12.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$648ARS 979.7K
$657ARS 994.1K
-1.45%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$611ARS 924.3K
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Santa Rosa: September 15, 2026
Last update for Mar del Plata: September 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $466 in Santa Rosa and $329 in Mar del Plata. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $60.0 in Santa Rosa vs $60.0 in Mar del Plata. Groceries flip the comparison at $215 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 11% 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 and in Mar del Plata?
You'd need roughly $1,711 in Santa Rosa and $1,535 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 compared to Mar del Plata?
Rent for a central apartment: $466 in Santa Rosa versus $329 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 in Mar del Plata?
Supermarket bills run roughly 9% 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 $1,141 per month in Santa Rosa versus $1,023 in Mar del Plata – a 11% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Santa Rosa or in Mar del Plata?
At $1,023 in Mar del Plata versus $1,141 in Santa Rosa, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Mar del Plata but tight or insufficient in Santa Rosa. The gap between the two cities makes Mar del Plata the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
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 11% 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