Cost of Living Comparison Between Valdivia and Arica Cost of Living Comparison Between Valdivia and Arica

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,068 per month in Valdivia vs $116 in Arica, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,602 per month in Valdivia vs $188 in Arica, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,135 per month in Valdivia vs $261 in Arica, rent included.

Valdivia costs about 823% more than Arica, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Valdivia and Arica are more affordable than the global median – Valdivia 22% lower, Arica 92% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.71 CLP 6,270

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$47.54 CLP 44.4K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.86 CLP 6,407

Cappuccino

$2.25 CLP 2,099

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.06 CLP 1,926

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.30 CLP 1,215

$1.25 CLP 1,171

4.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.78 CLP 3,526

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.67 CLP 3,426

Milk (1 liter)

$1.18 CLP 1,105

$1.09 CLP 1,020

8.26%

White Bread (500g)

$1.35 CLP 1,259

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.62 CLP 1,512

Eggs

$3.05 CLP 2,850

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.33 CLP 8,710

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.88 CLP 6,426

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.03 CLP 12.2K

Apples (1kg)

$2.21 CLP 2,062

Banana (1kg)

$2.01 CLP 1,872

Oranges (1kg)

$1.83 CLP 1,710

Tomato (1kg)

$1.87 CLP 1,750

Potato (1kg)

$2.48 CLP 2,320

Onion (1kg)

$1.56 CLP 1,458

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.48 CLP 1,381

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.20 CLP 1,118

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.44 CLP 5,075

Wine (Bottle)

$4.79 CLP 4,473

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.55 CLP 1,448

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.21 CLP 2,064

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.62 CLP 580

$0.77 CLP 715

-19.48%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.00 CLP 937

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.49 CLP 1,388

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$15.6K CLP 14.6M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$18.5K CLP 17.3M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$94.9 CLP 88.6K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$14.00 CLP 13.1K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$31.86 CLP 29.7K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.99 CLP 39.2K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$24.40 CLP 22.8K

Cinema Ticket

$4.80 CLP 4,479

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$260 CLP 242.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$3,258 CLP 3.0M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.9 CLP 50.3K

$42.81 CLP 40.0K

25.95%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$18.59 CLP 17.4K

$21.15 CLP 19.7K

-12.10%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$51.6 CLP 48.2K

$57.2 CLP 53.4K

-9.68%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$79.3 CLP 74.1K

$97.8 CLP 91.4K

-18.92%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$608 CLP 567.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$394 CLP 368.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,028 CLP 959.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$598 CLP 558.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,608 CLP 4.3M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$653 CLP 609.9K

$538 CLP 502.2K

21.45%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.5

-10.00%

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

Last update for Valdivia: August 30, 2026

Last update for Arica: September 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 21% higher in Valdivia, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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

Valdivia vs Arica: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,068 in Valdivia, $116 in Arica – roughly 823% apart. Valdivia costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,603 per month in Valdivia and $174 in Arica. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,068 in Valdivia and $116 in Arica. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 2079% more in Valdivia, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Arica, where all-in costs run around $116, than in Valdivia at $1,068. In Arica it covers expenses comfortably, while in Valdivia it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Arica – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Arica. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Valdivia makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.