😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,015 in Valdivia versus $567 in Coquimbo.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,542 in Valdivia versus $936 in Coquimbo.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,068 in Valdivia versus $1,305 in Coquimbo.
🌍Living in Valdivia is roughly 79% more expensive than in Coquimbo, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Valdivia25% lower, Coquimbo58% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Valdivia
Coquimbo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.44CLP 6,371
$6.81CLP 6,742
-5.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.05CLP 46.6K
$45.62CLP 45.2K
3.13%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.81CLP 6,738
$6.28CLP 6,215
8.44%
Cappuccino
$2.08CLP 2,055
$3.66CLP 3,617
-43.17%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06CLP 2,041
$1.17CLP 1,158
76.07%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.32CLP 1,305
$1.06CLP 1,048
24.53%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.65CLP 3,616
$4.04CLP 3,995
-9.65%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.61CLP 3,570
$4.73CLP 4,685
-23.68%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Valdivia
Coquimbo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.20CLP 1,186
$1.05CLP 1,044
14.29%
White Bread(500g)
$1.32CLP 1,308
$3.19CLP 3,157
-58.62%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.60CLP 1,588
$1.26CLP 1,245
26.98%
Eggs
$3.10CLP 3,068
$2.68CLP 2,649
15.67%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.13CLP 9,032
$8.35CLP 8,260
9.34%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.37CLP 6,305
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.58CLP 12.4K
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.22CLP 2,194
$1.37CLP 1,353
62.04%
Banana(1kg)
$1.84CLP 1,824
$1.91CLP 1,892
-3.66%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.80CLP 1,782
$1.05CLP 1,038
71.43%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.90CLP 1,884
$0.96CLP 948
97.92%
Potato(1kg)
$2.39CLP 2,366
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.51CLP 1,495
$1.27CLP 1,257
18.90%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.45CLP 1,433
$0.60CLP 593
141.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.15CLP 1,141
$1.35CLP 1,337
-14.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.04CLP 4,984
$5.05CLP 5,002
-0.20%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.69CLP 4,645
$8.45CLP 8,363
-44.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54CLP 1,525
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14CLP 2,123
$4.73CLP 4,681
-54.76%
🚌 Getting Around
Valdivia
Coquimbo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.58CLP 574
$0.86CLP 851
-32.56%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.03CLP 1,018
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.50CLP 1,481
$1.43CLP 1,412
4.90%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$14.9KCLP 14.8M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.8KCLP 17.7M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Valdivia
Coquimbo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$89.6CLP 88.7K
$105CLP 103.6K
-14.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.67CLP 13.5K
$12.18CLP 12.1K
12.23%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.45CLP 30.1K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Valdivia
Coquimbo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.35CLP 40.9K
$26.14CLP 25.9K
58.19%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.68CLP 23.4K
$5.10CLP 5,047
364.31%
Cinema Ticket
$4.71CLP 4,657
$4.02CLP 3,979
17.16%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Valdivia
Coquimbo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$248CLP 245.0K
$255CLP 252.2K
-2.85%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,118CLP 3.1M
$29.4KCLP 29.1M
-89.38%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Valdivia
Coquimbo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.8CLP 51.3K
$45.59CLP 45.1K
13.69%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$17.99CLP 17.8K
$25.39CLP 25.1K
-29.15%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$50.7CLP 50.2K
$61.4CLP 60.8K
-17.38%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.2CLP 76.4K
$81.1CLP 80.3K
-4.84%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Valdivia
Coquimbo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$570CLP 563.9K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368CLP 364.0K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$984CLP 973.9K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$577CLP 570.6K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,417CLP 4.4M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Valdivia
Coquimbo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$644CLP 637.2K
$617CLP 610.4K
4.39%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.5
5
-10.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Valdivia: September 26, 2026
Last update for Coquimbo: September 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Valdivia pays 4% 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: $47.00 in Valdivia vs $46.00 in Coquimbo for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $231 vs $158 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 79% in total monthly costs ($1,015 vs $567 including rent). Coquimbo 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 4% higher in Valdivia, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Valdivia and Coquimbo?
Childcare runs $248 in Valdivia versus $255 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 Coquimbo – a meal for two runs $46.00 versus $47.00 in Valdivia. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $567 in Coquimbo versus $1,015 in Valdivia, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Coquimbo but tight or insufficient in Valdivia. The gap between the two cities makes Coquimbo 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 Coquimbo gentler on the wallet – expenses run 79% less than in Valdivia. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.