Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Santiago and Bismarck, ND

For one person, living is cheaper in Santiago: $1,183 a month against $2,403 in Bismarck, ND, rent and utilities included – about $14,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Santiago
🇨🇱 Chile
$1,183
/mo nomad
Bismarck, ND
🇺🇸 United States
$2,403
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Santiago and in Bismarck, ND

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Santiago and in Bismarck, ND actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,183 in Santiago versus $2,403 in Bismarck, ND.

  • Santiago $1,183
  • Bismarck, ND $2,403

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,882 in Santiago versus $3,341 in Bismarck, ND.

  • Santiago $1,882
  • Bismarck, ND $3,341

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,581 in Santiago versus $4,278 in Bismarck, ND.

  • Santiago $2,581
  • Bismarck, ND $4,278

Living in Santiago costs roughly 51% less than in Bismarck, ND, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Santiago is 13% below, Bismarck, ND is 77% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Santiago
Bismarck, ND
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.15 CLP 9,995
$30.19 $30.19
-66.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$51.9 CLP 51.1K
$69.8 $69.8
-25.61%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.56 CLP 8,423
$17.41 $17.41
-50.83%
Cappuccino
$3.15 CLP 3,101
$6.22 $6.22
-49.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.71 CLP 1,685
$2.50 $2.50
-31.60%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.28 CLP 1,255
$1.89 $1.89
-32.28%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.18 CLP 4,118
$5.55 $5.55
-24.68%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.46 CLP 4,390
$6.99 $6.99
-36.19%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Santiago
Bismarck, ND
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.29 CLP 1,269
$1.03 $1.03
25.24%
White Bread (500g)
$1.76 CLP 1,737
$2.69 $2.69
-34.57%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.66 CLP 1,630
$2.08 $2.08
-20.19%
Eggs
$4.21 CLP 4,140
$2.73 $2.73
54.21%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.08 CLP 10.9K
$7.70 $7.70
43.90%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.75 CLP 6,641
$13.21 $13.21
-48.90%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.76 CLP 10.6K
$15.90 $15.90
-32.33%
Apples (1kg)
$1.96 CLP 1,927
$3.47 $3.47
-43.52%
Banana (1kg)
$1.54 CLP 1,518
$1.73 $1.73
-10.98%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.58 CLP 1,560
$2.96 $2.96
-46.62%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.74 CLP 1,713
$4.27 $4.27
-59.25%
Potato (1kg)
$1.09 CLP 1,075
$1.89 $1.89
-42.33%
Onion (1kg)
$1.53 CLP 1,509
$2.80 $2.80
-45.36%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.18 CLP 1,163
$2.19 $2.19
-46.12%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.08 CLP 1,060
$2.69 $2.69
-59.85%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.18 CLP 5,101
$8.74 $8.74
-40.73%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.17 CLP 6,070
$19.97 $19.97
-69.10%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.53 CLP 1,511
$1.91 $1.91
-19.90%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.36 CLP 2,325
$4.05 $4.05
-41.73%
🚌 Getting Around
Santiago
Bismarck, ND
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.84 CLP 824
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$41.44 CLP 40.8K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.42 CLP 416
-
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.88 CLP 869
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.49 CLP 11.3K
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.49 CLP 1,462
$0.97 $0.97
53.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.2K CLP 17.0M
$26.5K $26.5K
-34.94%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.6K CLP 25.2M
$22.5K $22.5K
13.76%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Santiago
Bismarck, ND
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$149 CLP 146.3K
$208 $208
-28.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.11 CLP 11.9K
$71.8 $71.8
-83.13%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.13 CLP 18.8K
$82.1 $82.1
-76.70%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Santiago
Bismarck, ND
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$33.30 CLP 32.8K
$41.78 $41.78
-20.30%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.51 CLP 11.3K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.32 CLP 7,208
$10.89 $10.89
-32.78%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Santiago
Bismarck, ND
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$436 CLP 429.2K
$804 $804
-45.79%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.0K CLP 10.8M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Santiago
Bismarck, ND
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.17 CLP 48.4K
$65.1 $65.1
-24.47%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.11 CLP 28.7K
-
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$65.5 CLP 64.5K
$95.2 $95.2
-31.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.1 CLP 78.9K
$81.2 $81.2
-1.37%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Santiago
Bismarck, ND
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$554 CLP 545.8K
$1,171 $1,171
-52.65%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$383 CLP 376.6K
$1,077 $1,077
-64.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,002 CLP 986.5K
$1,628 $1,628
-38.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$775 CLP 762.5K
$1,428 $1,428
-45.77%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,708 CLP 2.7M
$2,226 $2,226
21.66%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,613 CLP 2.6M
$2,054 $2,054
27.21%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Santiago
Bismarck, ND
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$778 CLP 766.3K
$4,393 $4,393
-82.28%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.39
6.84
-21.20%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Santiago: October 17, 2026

Last update for Bismarck, ND: October 18, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Santiago
$383
Bismarck, ND
$1.1K 182% $694
Groceries & Markets
Santiago
$236
Bismarck, ND
$364 54.3% $128
Eating Out
Santiago
$186
Bismarck, ND
$428 129% $241
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Santiago
$180
Bismarck, ND
$362 101% $182
Clothing & Footwear
Santiago
$101
Bismarck, ND
$109 * 7.9% $7.9
Getting Around
Santiago
$50
Bismarck, ND
- * 100%
Sport & Entertainment
Santiago
$48
Bismarck, ND
$64 32.6% $16

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $554 in Santiago and $1,171 in Bismarck, ND. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Bismarck, ND pays 464% 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: $52.0 in Santiago vs $70.0 in Bismarck, ND for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $236 vs $364 per month, with Santiago cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇨🇱 Santiago
🇺🇸 Bismarck, ND
🕒 Local time
10:13 10:13 AM
08:13 8:13 AM
2 h behind Santiago
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
6,139,087 Capital
58,333
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CLP – Chilean Peso Converter

Chilean Peso exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 USD = 984 CLP (1,000 CLP = 1.02 USD). 1 EUR = 1,107 CLP (10,000 CLP = 9.04 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Santiago Bismarck, ND 9,420 km ≈ 12 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Santiago
  • Bismarck, ND

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Santiago vs Bismarck, ND: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Santiago and in Bismarck, ND?
Santiago and Bismarck, ND differ by about 103% in total monthly costs ($1,183 vs $2,403 including rent). Santiago is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 464% lower in Bismarck, ND. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Santiago and in Bismarck, ND?
Rent for a central apartment: $554 in Santiago versus $1,171 in Bismarck, ND. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Santiago and Bismarck, ND?
Childcare runs $436 in Santiago versus $804 in Bismarck, ND. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Santiago – a meal for two runs $52.0 versus $70.0 in Bismarck, ND. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,183 in Santiago versus $2,403 in Bismarck, ND, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Santiago but tight or insufficient in Bismarck, ND. The gap between the two cities makes Santiago the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Santiago and Bismarck, ND?
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.
Is Santiago or Bismarck, ND safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Santiago and Bismarck, ND are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Santiago or Bismarck, ND?
Expats usually find Santiago gentler on the wallet – expenses run 103% less than in Bismarck, ND. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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