Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Santiago and Edwardsville, IL

For one person, living is cheaper in Santiago: $1,190 a month against $2,693 in Edwardsville, IL, rent and utilities included – about $18,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Santiago
🇨🇱 Chile
$1,190
/mo nomad
Edwardsville, IL
🇺🇸 United States
$2,693
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Santiago and in Edwardsville, IL

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 Edwardsville, IL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,190 per month in Santiago vs $2,693 in Edwardsville, IL, rent included.

  • Santiago $1,190
  • Edwardsville, IL $2,693

A couple spends around $1,892 per month in Santiago vs $3,826 in Edwardsville, IL, rent included.

  • Santiago $1,892
  • Edwardsville, IL $3,826

A family of three spends $2,595 per month in Santiago vs $4,960 in Edwardsville, IL, rent included.

  • Santiago $2,595
  • Edwardsville, IL $4,960

Santiago is about 56% cheaper than Edwardsville, IL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Santiago sits 12% below the global median, while Edwardsville, IL is 99% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Santiago
Edwardsville, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.37 CLP 10.2K
$21.46 $21.46
-51.68%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$51.7 CLP 50.9K
$78.0 $78.0
-33.70%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.94 CLP 8,805
$11.36 $11.36
-21.30%
Cappuccino
$3.26 CLP 3,211
$5.85 $5.85
-44.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67 CLP 1,640
$2.53 $2.53
-33.99%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.23 CLP 1,212
$1.95 $1.95
-36.92%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.98 CLP 3,914
$6.26 $6.26
-36.42%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.54 CLP 4,465
$6.37 $6.37
-28.73%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Santiago
Edwardsville, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.28 CLP 1,263
$1.09 $1.09
17.43%
White Bread (500g)
$1.85 CLP 1,817
$3.71 $3.71
-50.13%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.59 CLP 1,567
$4.05 $4.05
-60.74%
Eggs
$4.10 CLP 4,031
$4.21 $4.21
-2.61%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.41 CLP 11.2K
$13.09 $13.09
-12.83%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.69 CLP 6,586
$10.22 $10.22
-34.54%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.81 CLP 10.6K
$14.58 $14.58
-25.86%
Apples (1kg)
$1.94 CLP 1,905
$5.26 $5.26
-63.12%
Banana (1kg)
$1.52 CLP 1,497
$1.48 $1.48
2.70%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.60 CLP 1,577
$4.22 $4.22
-62.09%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.69 CLP 1,668
$4.84 $4.84
-65.08%
Potato (1kg)
$1.10 CLP 1,084
$3.08 $3.08
-64.29%
Onion (1kg)
$1.52 CLP 1,500
$2.54 $2.54
-40.16%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.18 CLP 1,164
$1.93 $1.93
-38.86%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.08 CLP 1,061
$2.44 $2.44
-55.74%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.07 CLP 4,995
$10.67 $10.67
-52.48%
Wine (Bottle)
$5.95 CLP 5,858
$15.70 $15.70
-62.10%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.49 CLP 1,470
$1.69 $1.69
-11.83%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38 CLP 2,342
$2.94 $2.94
-19.05%
🚌 Getting Around
Santiago
Edwardsville, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.83 CLP 821
$1.75 $1.75
-52.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$40.14 CLP 39.5K
$99.0 $99.0
-59.45%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.40 CLP 393
$2.88 $2.88
-86.11%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.91 CLP 897
$1.65 $1.65
-44.85%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.63 CLP 11.5K
$32.64 $32.64
-64.37%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.51 CLP 1,486
$0.96 $0.96
57.29%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6K CLP 17.3M
$38.5K $38.5K
-54.34%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0K CLP 21.6M
$28.2K $28.2K
-22.02%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Santiago
Edwardsville, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$151 CLP 149.0K
$184 $184
-17.89%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.34 CLP 12.1K
$59.5 $59.5
-79.25%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.73 CLP 18.4K
$69.5 $69.5
-73.04%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Santiago
Edwardsville, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$33.71 CLP 33.2K
$41.00 $41.00
-17.78%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.80 CLP 11.6K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.45 CLP 7,334
$14.50 $14.50
-48.62%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Santiago
Edwardsville, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$430 CLP 423.7K
$1,411 $1,411
-69.51%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.8K CLP 10.6M
$25.2K $25.2K
-57.21%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Santiago
Edwardsville, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.65 CLP 48.9K
$52.6 $52.6
-5.61%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.94 CLP 28.5K
$41.21 $41.21
-29.77%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$65.7 CLP 64.6K
$87.6 $87.6
-25.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.7 CLP 79.4K
$117 $117
-30.76%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Santiago
Edwardsville, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$559 CLP 550.4K
$1,744 $1,744
-67.95%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$384 CLP 377.8K
$1,332 $1,332
-71.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,004 CLP 988.4K
$2,602 $2,602
-61.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$780 CLP 767.9K
$1,949 $1,949
-59.98%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,640 CLP 2.6M
$2,555 $2,555
3.31%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,546 CLP 2.5M
$2,439 $2,439
4.39%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Santiago
Edwardsville, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$804 CLP 791.0K
$4,935 $4,935
-83.72%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.39
6.57
-17.96%

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

Last update for Santiago: October 11, 2026

Last update for Edwardsville, IL: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Santiago
$384
Edwardsville, IL
$1.3K 247% $948
Groceries & Markets
Santiago
$236
Edwardsville, IL
$388 64.6% $152
Eating Out
Santiago
$189
Edwardsville, IL
$338 78.4% $148
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Santiago
$182
Edwardsville, IL
$313 71.7% $131
Clothing & Footwear
Santiago
$101
Edwardsville, IL
$134 32.5% $33
Sport & Entertainment
Santiago
$49
Edwardsville, IL
$70 44% $21
Getting Around
Santiago
$48
Edwardsville, IL
$117 142% $69

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $559 in Santiago versus $1,744 in Edwardsville, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 514% higher in Edwardsville, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $52.0 in Santiago versus $78.0 in Edwardsville, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $236 vs $388 – making Santiago the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇱 Santiago
🇺🇸 Edwardsville, IL
🕒 Local time
01:09 1:09 AM
23:09 11:09 PM
2 h behind Santiago
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
6,139,087 Capital
26,808
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CLP – Chilean Peso Converter

Chilean Peso exchange rates as of October 19, 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 19, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Santiago Edwardsville, IL 8,280 km ≈ 11 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Santiago
  • Edwardsville, IL

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 Edwardsville, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Edwardsville, IL cheaper than Santiago?
Yes – Edwardsville, IL is pricier by about 126%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,785 per month in Santiago and $4,040 in Edwardsville, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Santiago, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Santiago and in Edwardsville, IL?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,190 in Santiago and $2,693 in Edwardsville, IL. That's a gap of about 126%.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
Public transport costs about 147% less in Santiago. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Santiago or in Edwardsville, IL?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Santiago, where all-in costs run around $1,190, than in Edwardsville, IL at $2,693. In Santiago it covers expenses comfortably, while in Edwardsville, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Santiago or Edwardsville, IL more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Santiago – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Santiago or Edwardsville, IL?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Santiago. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Edwardsville, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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