🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,058 in Valdivia versus $1,073 in Coquimbo.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,650 in Valdivia versus $1,670 in Coquimbo.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,242 in Valdivia versus $2,267 in Coquimbo.
🌍Living in Valdivia costs roughly 1% less than in Coquimbo, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Valdivia23% lower, Coquimbo22% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Valdivia
Coquimbo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.93CLP 6,397
$7.34CLP 6,770
-5.59%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.92CLP 45.1K
$48.33CLP 44.6K
1.22%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.01CLP 6,467
$6.47CLP 5,970
8.35%
Cappuccino
$2.27CLP 2,098
$3.86CLP 3,564
-41.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15CLP 1,981
$1.17CLP 1,082
83.76%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38CLP 1,276
$1.12CLP 1,035
23.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.87CLP 3,575
$4.34CLP 4,006
-10.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.77CLP 3,479
$5.06CLP 4,668
-25.49%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Valdivia
Coquimbo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.20CLP 1,110
$1.07CLP 984
12.15%
White Bread(500g)
$1.40CLP 1,292
$1.80CLP 1,662
-22.22%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.71CLP 1,577
$1.65CLP 1,518
3.64%
Eggs
$3.22CLP 2,974
$3.90CLP 3,596
-17.44%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.36CLP 8,634
$11.47CLP 10.6K
-18.40%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.80CLP 6,272
$6.47CLP 5,970
5.10%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.63CLP 12.6K
$12.70CLP 11.7K
7.32%
Apples(1kg)
$2.33CLP 2,149
$1.97CLP 1,820
18.27%
Banana(1kg)
$2.06CLP 1,899
$1.67CLP 1,538
23.35%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.91CLP 1,767
$1.72CLP 1,591
11.05%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.96CLP 1,812
$1.70CLP 1,566
15.29%
Potato(1kg)
$2.58CLP 2,380
$1.03CLP 947
150.49%
Onion(1kg)
$1.66CLP 1,528
$1.48CLP 1,361
12.16%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.52CLP 1,403
$1.35CLP 1,245
12.59%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.18CLP 1,090
$1.17CLP 1,081
0.85%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.37CLP 4,954
$5.54CLP 5,114
-3.07%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.02CLP 4,628
$5.97CLP 5,509
-15.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.58CLP 1,454
$1.56CLP 1,439
1.28%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.20CLP 2,030
$2.28CLP 2,104
-3.51%
🚌 Getting Around
Valdivia
Coquimbo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.60CLP 555
$0.85CLP 785
-29.41%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.02CLP 944
$0.83CLP 765
22.89%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.50CLP 1,386
$1.48CLP 1,369
1.35%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$15.9KCLP 14.6M
$19.8KCLP 18.3M
-19.91%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.6KCLP 17.2M
$24.5KCLP 22.6M
-23.99%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Valdivia
Coquimbo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$96.0CLP 88.6K
$119CLP 110.2K
-19.61%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.82CLP 13.7K
$13.52CLP 12.5K
9.62%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.30CLP 30.7K
$20.45CLP 18.9K
62.84%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Valdivia
Coquimbo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.80CLP 40.4K
$27.85CLP 25.7K
57.27%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$25.52CLP 23.5K
$5.55CLP 5,117
359.82%
Cinema Ticket
$4.78CLP 4,407
$7.26CLP 6,697
-34.16%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Valdivia
Coquimbo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$259CLP 239.0K
$444CLP 410.0K
-41.70%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,336CLP 3.1M
$8,551CLP 7.9M
-60.98%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Valdivia
Coquimbo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.5CLP 51.2K
$51.3CLP 47.4K
8.12%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.80CLP 17.3K
$30.01CLP 27.7K
-37.35%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$53.7CLP 49.5K
$60.2CLP 55.6K
-10.91%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$82.0CLP 75.7K
$74.8CLP 69.0K
9.74%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Valdivia
Coquimbo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$615CLP 567.6K
$512CLP 472.4K
20.16%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$390CLP 359.7K
$425CLP 391.9K
-8.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,040CLP 959.7K
$1,042CLP 961.0K
-0.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$605CLP 558.0K
$682CLP 629.6K
-11.37%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,717CLP 4.4M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Valdivia
Coquimbo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$657CLP 605.8K
$647CLP 596.5K
1.54%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.5
5.15
-12.62%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Valdivia: August 15, 2026
Last update for Coquimbo: August 16, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $615 in Valdivia and $512 in Coquimbo. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Valdivia pays 2% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $49.00 in Valdivia vs $48.00 in Coquimbo for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $244 vs $241 per month, with Coquimbo cheaper across the board.
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 Coquimbo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Valdivia and in Coquimbo?
Valdivia and Coquimbo differ by about 1% in total monthly costs ($1,058 vs $1,073 including rent). Valdivia is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Valdivia or Coquimbo?
Average pay runs 2% higher in Valdivia, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Valdivia and in Coquimbo?
Rent for a central apartment: $615 in Valdivia versus $512 in Coquimbo. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Valdivia and Coquimbo?
Childcare runs $259 in Valdivia versus $444 in Coquimbo. 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 Valdivia – a meal for two runs $49.00 versus $48.00 in Coquimbo. 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 $1,058 in Valdivia versus $1,073 in Coquimbo, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Valdivia but tight or insufficient in Coquimbo. The gap between the two cities makes Valdivia the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Valdivia and Coquimbo?
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.
Where should expats move: Valdivia or Coquimbo?
Expats usually find Valdivia gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1% less than in Coquimbo. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.