Cost of Living Comparison Between Valdivia and La Serena Cost of Living Comparison Between Valdivia and La Serena

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,062 per month in Valdivia vs $1,044 in La Serena, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,610 per month in Valdivia vs $1,757 in La Serena, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,157 per month in Valdivia vs $2,469 in La Serena, rent included.

Valdivia costs about 2% more than La Serena, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Valdivia and La Serena are more affordable than the global median – Valdivia 20% lower, La Serena 22% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.61 CLP 6,154

$8.00 CLP 7,448

-17.37%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$42.26 CLP 39.4K

$50.7 CLP 47.2K

-16.68%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.94 CLP 6,458

$8.87 CLP 8,256

-21.76%

Cappuccino

$2.51 CLP 2,335

$3.09 CLP 2,879

-18.77%

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

$2.31 CLP 2,151

$1.10 CLP 1,027

110.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.53 CLP 1,428

$0.72 CLP 670

112.50%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.81 CLP 3,551

$2.14 CLP 1,990

78.04%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.94 CLP 3,666

$3.95 CLP 3,680

-0.25%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.23 CLP 1,148

$1.30 CLP 1,214

-5.38%

White Bread (500g)

$1.43 CLP 1,329

$2.57 CLP 2,396

-44.36%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.64 CLP 1,523

$1.54 CLP 1,437

6.49%

Eggs

$3.17 CLP 2,955

$3.95 CLP 3,678

-19.75%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.38 CLP 8,737

$12.84 CLP 12.0K

-26.95%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.95 CLP 6,474

$6.05 CLP 5,638

14.88%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.38 CLP 12.5K

$13.54 CLP 12.6K

-1.18%

Apples (1kg)

$2.22 CLP 2,063

$1.98 CLP 1,839

12.12%

Banana (1kg)

$1.94 CLP 1,804

$1.78 CLP 1,661

8.99%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.83 CLP 1,706

$1.39 CLP 1,296

31.65%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.97 CLP 1,833

$1.55 CLP 1,441

27.10%

Potato (1kg)

$2.44 CLP 2,275

$1.18 CLP 1,103

106.78%

Onion (1kg)

$1.58 CLP 1,474

$1.31 CLP 1,216

20.61%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.58 CLP 1,474

$1.07 CLP 999

47.66%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.21 CLP 1,123

$0.96 CLP 891

26.04%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.25 CLP 4,892

$5.46 CLP 5,085

-3.85%

Wine (Bottle)

$4.78 CLP 4,454

$5.46 CLP 5,082

-12.45%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.60 CLP 1,486

$1.04 CLP 968

53.85%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.14 CLP 1,989

$2.23 CLP 2,072

-4.04%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.59 CLP 550

$1.05 CLP 981

-43.81%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$37.37 CLP 34.8K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.59 CLP 1,476

$0.72 CLP 670

120.83%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.12 CLP 1,978

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$12.70 CLP 11.8K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.42 CLP 1,318

$1.44 CLP 1,344

-1.39%

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

$15.6K CLP 14.6M

$20.9K CLP 19.5M

-25.40%

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

$18.2K CLP 17.0M

$12.8K CLP 11.9M

42.73%

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

$96.1 CLP 89.5K

$91.6 CLP 85.3K

4.97%

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

$18.60 CLP 17.3K

$11.51 CLP 10.7K

61.60%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.22 CLP 27.2K

$22.61 CLP 21.1K

29.23%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.96 CLP 40.0K

$35.97 CLP 33.5K

19.43%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$24.61 CLP 22.9K

$21.67 CLP 20.2K

13.57%

Cinema Ticket

$4.90 CLP 4,560

$8.74 CLP 8,137

-43.94%

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

$275 CLP 255.7K

$428 CLP 398.9K

-35.89%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.7 CLP 50.9K

$45.25 CLP 42.1K

20.91%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$18.60 CLP 17.3K

$30.18 CLP 28.1K

-38.37%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$52.2 CLP 48.6K

$97.0 CLP 90.3K

-46.15%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$82.0 CLP 76.3K

$110 CLP 102.4K

-25.49%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$598 CLP 556.8K

$363 CLP 338.1K

64.70%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$383 CLP 357.0K

$285 CLP 265.0K

34.71%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,039 CLP 967.9K

$1,067 CLP 993.7K

-2.60%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$593 CLP 552.5K

$709 CLP 660.0K

-16.29%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,745 CLP 4.4M

$2,151 CLP 2.0M

120.64%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,373 CLP 1.3M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$661 CLP 615.1K

$736 CLP 685.1K

-10.22%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.5

6.5

-30.77%

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

Last update for Valdivia: July 11, 2026

Last update for La Serena: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $598 in Valdivia versus $363 in La Serena. 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 11% higher in La Serena, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $42.00 in Valdivia versus $51.0 in La Serena. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $242 vs $247 – making Valdivia the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 La Serena: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Valdivia is pricier by about 2%, and the gap shows up most in Getting Around. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,593 per month in Valdivia and $1,567 in La Serena. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in La Serena, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,062 in Valdivia and $1,044 in La Serena. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $275 per month in Valdivia and $428 in La Serena. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in La Serena, where all-in costs run around $1,044, than in Valdivia at $1,062. In La Serena it covers expenses comfortably, while in Valdivia it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward La Serena – 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 La Serena. 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.