😐A single person spends $1,021 per month in Valdivia vs $455 in Puerto Montt, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,583 per month in Valdivia vs $769 in Puerto Montt, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,145 per month in Valdivia vs $1,083 in Puerto Montt, rent included.
😐Valdivia costs about 124% more than Puerto Montt, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Valdivia and Puerto Montt are more affordable than the global median – Valdivia25% lower, Puerto Montt67% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Valdivia
Puerto Montt
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.59CLP 6,291
$8.42CLP 8,036
-21.73%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.56CLP 45.4K
$36.27CLP 34.6K
31.13%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.97CLP 6,647
$7.51CLP 7,165
-7.19%
Cappuccino
$2.11CLP 2,010
$2.78CLP 2,650
-24.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06CLP 1,962
$0.90CLP 861
128.89%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.27CLP 1,214
$0.96CLP 916
32.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.62CLP 3,450
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.61CLP 3,442
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Valdivia
Puerto Montt
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.16CLP 1,110
$1.17CLP 1,120
-0.85%
White Bread(500g)
$1.32CLP 1,259
$2.59CLP 2,467
-49.03%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.58CLP 1,511
$1.45CLP 1,381
8.97%
Eggs
$3.14CLP 2,992
$3.21CLP 3,060
-2.18%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.26CLP 8,835
$11.34CLP 10.8K
-18.34%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.50CLP 6,201
$5.81CLP 5,546
11.88%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.07CLP 12.5K
$7.24CLP 6,907
80.52%
Apples(1kg)
$2.16CLP 2,058
$1.06CLP 1,011
103.77%
Banana(1kg)
$1.97CLP 1,877
$1.44CLP 1,370
36.81%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.79CLP 1,704
$2.65CLP 2,527
-32.45%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.84CLP 1,755
$1.87CLP 1,784
-1.60%
Potato(1kg)
$2.37CLP 2,260
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.54CLP 1,466
$1.59CLP 1,514
-3.14%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.52CLP 1,452
$1.30CLP 1,238
16.92%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.17CLP 1,120
$1.56CLP 1,490
-25.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.24CLP 5,004
$4.84CLP 4,618
8.26%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.62CLP 4,405
$5.89CLP 5,622
-21.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.57CLP 1,499
$1.44CLP 1,371
9.03%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16CLP 2,063
$1.56CLP 1,488
38.46%
🚌 Getting Around
Valdivia
Puerto Montt
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.59CLP 559
$0.90CLP 863
-34.44%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.02CLP 971
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.44CLP 1,372
$1.32CLP 1,262
9.09%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$15.3KCLP 14.6M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.1KCLP 17.3M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Valdivia
Puerto Montt
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$93.0CLP 88.7K
$63.9CLP 61.0K
45.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.69CLP 13.1K
$11.40CLP 10.9K
20.09%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.64CLP 30.2K
$31.60CLP 30.2K
0.13%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Valdivia
Puerto Montt
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.56CLP 39.7K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.21CLP 23.1K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.73CLP 4,514
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Valdivia
Puerto Montt
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$249CLP 237.2K
$147CLP 139.9K
69.50%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,114CLP 3.0M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Valdivia
Puerto Montt
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.0CLP 50.5K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$17.82CLP 17.0K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$50.3CLP 48.0K
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.4CLP 73.8K
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Valdivia
Puerto Montt
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$592CLP 565.3K
$529CLP 505.0K
11.94%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$384CLP 366.4K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$994CLP 948.5K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$564CLP 537.8K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,518CLP 4.3M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Valdivia
Puerto Montt
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$632CLP 603.0K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.5
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Valdivia: September 15, 2026
Last update for Puerto Montt: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $592 in Valdivia versus $529 in Puerto Montt. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $48.00 in Valdivia versus $36.00 in Puerto Montt. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $234 vs $224 – making Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Valdivia or Puerto Montt?
Valdivia costs about 124% more than Puerto Montt, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Valdivia and in Puerto Montt?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,531 per month in Valdivia and $682 in Puerto Montt. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Valdivia or Puerto Montt?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Puerto Montt, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Valdivia compared to Puerto Montt?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,021 in Valdivia and $455 in Puerto Montt. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do childcare costs compare in Valdivia and in Puerto Montt?
Kindergarten costs $249 per month in Valdivia and $147 in Puerto Montt. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Valdivia or in Puerto Montt?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Puerto Montt, where all-in costs run around $455, than in Valdivia at $1,021. In Puerto Montt it covers expenses comfortably, while in Valdivia it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Puerto Montt – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Should I move to Valdivia or to Puerto Montt?
If budget matters most, go with Puerto Montt. 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.