😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $958 in Santa Rosa versus $855 in Mar del Plata.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,572 in Santa Rosa versus $1,426 in Mar del Plata.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,186 in Santa Rosa versus $1,997 in Mar del Plata.
😐Living in Santa Rosa is roughly 12% more expensive than Mar del Plata, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Santa Rosa29% lower, Mar del Plata36% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.57ARS 15.1K
$9.39ARS 13.4K
12.57%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.14ARS 47.3K
$38.16ARS 54.5K
-13.16%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.82ARS 12.6K
$8.07ARS 11.5K
9.29%
Cappuccino
$2.78ARS 3,969
$2.47ARS 3,529
12.55%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.71ARS 2,449
$2.17ARS 3,094
-21.20%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.48ARS 2,118
$2.12ARS 3,033
-30.19%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.08ARS 2,964
$3.28ARS 4,687
-36.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.02ARS 4,316
$3.30ARS 4,721
-8.48%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.25ARS 1,788
$1.06ARS 1,510
17.92%
White Bread(500g)
$1.55ARS 2,218
$1.43ARS 2,049
8.39%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.95ARS 2,785
$2.16ARS 3,082
-9.72%
Eggs
$2.25ARS 3,217
$1.58ARS 2,261
42.41%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.20ARS 14.6K
$6.84ARS 9,772
49.12%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.03ARS 8,615
$5.35ARS 7,639
12.71%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.50ARS 13.6K
$7.74ARS 11.1K
22.74%
Apples(1kg)
$1.94ARS 2,776
$2.76ARS 3,946
-29.71%
Banana(1kg)
$2.06ARS 2,937
$2.13ARS 3,036
-3.29%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.32ARS 1,886
$1.50ARS 2,140
-12.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.53ARS 3,620
$2.53ARS 3,618
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.18ARS 1,684
$1.28ARS 1,829
-7.81%
Onion(1kg)
$1.20ARS 1,711
$0.96ARS 1,370
25.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.32ARS 1,891
$0.62ARS 885
112.90%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.49ARS 2,131
$1.21ARS 1,725
23.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.08ARS 4,401
$3.49ARS 4,979
-11.75%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.50ARS 6,422
$3.08ARS 4,399
46.10%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.05ARS 2,921
$1.33ARS 1,904
54.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18ARS 4,543
$1.96ARS 2,805
62.24%
🚌 Getting Around
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.78ARS 1,120
$0.75ARS 1,076
4.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$9.94ARS 14.2K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.52ARS 2,170
$1.46ARS 2,089
4.11%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.92ARS 1,320
$0.74ARS 1,051
24.32%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.13ARS 8,752
$7.84ARS 11.2K
-21.81%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.06ARS 1,508
$1.10ARS 1,570
-3.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.2KARS 38.9M
$27.3KARS 38.9M
-0.17%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.8KARS 44.0M
$39.0KARS 55.7M
-20.98%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$66.2ARS 94.5K
$85.4ARS 122.0K
-22.50%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.37ARS 24.8K
$10.27ARS 14.7K
69.13%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.56ARS 32.2K
$25.40ARS 36.3K
-11.18%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$26.37ARS 37.7K
$17.28ARS 24.7K
52.60%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.91ARS 19.9K
$7.86ARS 11.2K
76.97%
Cinema Ticket
$6.14ARS 8,768
$3.98ARS 5,686
54.27%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$219ARS 313.5K
$162ARS 232.1K
35.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,700ARS 3.9M
$3,242ARS 4.6M
-16.74%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$74.5ARS 106.5K
$56.5ARS 80.7K
31.98%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$69.2ARS 98.8K
$62.4ARS 89.1K
10.92%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$113ARS 161.1K
$64.2ARS 91.7K
75.71%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111ARS 159.2K
$62.9ARS 89.9K
77.16%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$332ARS 474.2K
$285ARS 406.9K
16.55%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$241ARS 344.3K
$206ARS 294.8K
16.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$693ARS 990.2K
$718ARS 1.0M
-3.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$537ARS 767.7K
$582ARS 831.8K
-7.70%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,808ARS 2.6M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Santa Rosa
Mar del Plata
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$618ARS 882.5K
-
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: June 6, 2026
Last update for Mar del Plata: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $332 in Santa Rosa and $285 in Mar del Plata. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $33.00 in Santa Rosa vs $38.00 in Mar del Plata. Groceries flip the comparison at $229 vs $195, 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 12% 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 $1,437 in Santa Rosa and $1,282 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: $332 in Santa Rosa versus $285 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 17% 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 $958 per month in Santa Rosa versus $855 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 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 12% 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