From Buenos Aires to the unique landscapes of Patagonia and the cultural and social richness of a typically Latin American population, Argentina attracts many expats every year. But what budget should you plan for living there? In this guide, Foyer Global Health presents you with the main items of expenditure in the cost of living in Argentina.
Overview of the average cost of living in Argentina.
To live in Argentina, a single person needs about 870 € per month, while a family of four needs to plan for an average of 2,750 € per month.
This includes rent and other expenses (shopping, transportation, health, education, etc.).
| Services | Average price in Argentina |
|---|---|
| Average net monthly salary | €485 |
| Price of renting an apartment in the city centre | €285 to 420 per month |
| Purchase price of an apartment per m2 in the city centre | €2,100 |
| Petrol (1 L) | €0.96 |
| Telephone flat rate (calls + 10 GB data) | €16 |
| Meal for 2 people in a restaurant | €38 |
Argentina is considered to be one of the countries with the lowest living costs in South America. However, this affordability depends greatly on your income.
For expats who earn an above-average salary or are paid in foreign currencies, rents and expenses are indeed very affordable. However, for those who receive a local salary in pesos, the cost of living can quickly become expensive.
Currency and exchange rates in Argentina
The official currency in Argentina is the Argentine peso, abbreviated to ‘ARS’ and symbolised by ‘$Ar’. Today, 1 Argentine peso is equal to 0.00093 €, i.e. 1,070 ARS for 1 €. (As of 10 December 2024).
Argentina has been in economic crisis for 20 years, characterised by high inflation and the devaluation of its currency. As a result, many local establishments currently accept payment in foreign currencies, particularly in US dollars.
Living in Argentina
Following the liberalisation of the property market in 2023, rental prices in Argentina have increased and stabilised after several years of instability. Here are the current average rental prices in Buenos Aires:
- One-bedroom apartment in the city centre: ARS 588,000 (€550).
- One-bedroom apartment on the outskirts of the city: ARS 385,000 (€360).
- Three-bedroom apartment in the city centre: ARS 1,069,600 (€1,000).
- Three-bedroom apartment on the outskirts of the city: ARS 727,300 (€680).
If you want to buy an apartment and become a homeowner, you should expect to pay an average price of ARS 1,957,500 to ARS 2,674,000 (€1,830 to €2,500) per square metre.
Grocery costs in Argentina
Although the prices of basic foodstuffs in Argentina are among the lowest in Latin America, shopping accounts for no less than 30% of monthly expenditure.
To give you a better idea of food prices, here is an overview (in euros) of the cost of some basic foodstuffs:
| Food item | Average price in Argentina |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 L) | €1.30 |
| Water (1,5 L) | €1.30 |
| Bread (500 g) | €2.37 |
| Rice (1 kg) | €2 |
| 12 eggs | €2.40 |
| Local cheese (1 kg) | €10.25 |
| Chicken fillet (1 kg) | €6.70 |
| Meat (1 kg) | €8 |
| Apples (1 kg) | €2.20 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | €2 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | €2.30 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | €1.10 |
| Onions (1 kg) | €1.20 |
| Local beer (500 ml) | €1.45 |
| Imported beer (330 ml) | €2.45 |
Transport in Argentina
Metro : First of all, in Buenos Aires you can take the metro (called ‘ Subte’) on several lines that cover the entire capital. There are different tickets with different prices per trip:
- 1 to 20 trips: 757 ARS (€0.71).
- 21 to 30 trips: 605.60 ARS (€0.57)
- 31 to 40 trips: 529.90 ARS (€0.50)
- 41 or more journeys: 454.20 ARS (€0.43)
This card gives you access to buses, metro buses, trains and the underground in Buenos Aires.
Buses: Bus prices vary depending on the distance travelled. The minimum distance (3 km) costs 25.20 ARS (€0.024). For a distance of 3 to 6 km, the fare is 28 ARS (about €0.026).
Taxi: If you want to take a taxi in Buenos Aires, you have to expect additional costs of around 1,016 ARS (€0.95) and 800 ARS (€0.75) per kilometre.
Train: For longer distances, Argentinians usually opt to travel by train. Although prices depend on the destination, you should expect to pay between ARS 8,000 and ARS 26,750 (€7.50 to €25).
Car: Finally, you can also drive a car, with petrol costing 1,016 ARS (€0.96) per litre.
Health costs in Argentina
| Medical Service | Average price in Argentina |
|---|---|
| Consultation with a general practitioner | 16 000 ARS à 26 750 ARS (€15 to 25) |
| Consultation with a specialist | 32 000 ARS à 58 800 ARS (€30 to 55) |
| Consultation with a dentist | 32 000 ARS (€30) |
| Dental scaling | 69 500 ARS (€65) |
| Hospitalisation (1 night) | 128 360 ARS €(120) |
The Argentinian healthcare system is considered to be one of the best in South America. It has a modern infrastructure, especially in the big cities, and the medical care in the public and private sectors is of high quality.
However, the quality of medical infrastructure varies in rural areas and waiting times can be long throughout the country. That is why many expats opt for international private health insurance, which offers several advantages:
- coverage for policyholders in Argentina and anywhere in the world
- quick access to medical care
- free choice of the institution where you wish to be treated
Education
A private kindergarten in Argentina costs an average of ARS 230,000 (€215) per month. For an international primary school, you should expect an annual budget of ARS 1,810,000 to 10,690,000 (€1,700 to 10,000).
American International School of Buenos Aires (Asociación Escuelas Lincoln) is located in La Lucila, a suburb approximately 15 km north of Buenos Aires city center. It provides an American-style education from kindergarten to high school and offers the American High School Diploma and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. The school fees for 2025 are:
Kindergarten:
- Pre-K (Half-Day): $400,000 ARS (EUR 880) per month
- Pre-K (Full-Day): $600,000 ARS (EUR 1,320) per month
Primary School:
- Grades 1 to 3: $650,000 ARS (EUR 1,430) per month
- Grades 4 to 6: $680,000 ARS (EUR 1,496) per month
Secondary School:
- Middle School (Grades 7 to 9): $850,000 ARS (EUR 1,870) per month
- High School (Grades 10 to 12): $900,000 ARS (EUR 1,980) per month
Telecommunication services in Argentina
Here are the average prices to be considered for telecommunication services in Argentina:
- Mobile phone flat rate (calls +10 GB data): 17,115 ARS (€16).
- Internet flat rate (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data): 22,460 ARS (€21).
Things to do in Argentina
Between the lively neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires and the country’s many natural sites, there is no shortage of things to do in Argentina.
- Visit the Jesuit Block in Córdoba: free admission and a guided tour for 3,530 ARS (€3.30).
- Explore Patagonia
- Cerro Tronador National Park and its volcano in San Carlos de Bariloche: 20,000 ARS (€18.70).
- Península Valdés, a unique place in Patagonia: 30,000 ARS (28 €).
- Hike in the park of El Chaltén: 45,000 ARS (42 €).
- Visit an opera at the Teatro Colón: about 26,740 ARS (25 €) per ticket.
- Going to the cinema: an average of ARS 5,240 (€4.90).
Cost of living in Argentina compared to Western Europe
The cost of living in Argentina can be more than 60% lower than many countries in Western Europe, e.g. Germany. While a single person in Argentina needs €870 on average per month to live, the monthly requirement in Germany is around €1,700.
However, the average wage in Germany is more than four times higher than in Argentina: €2,900 compared to €485. Purchasing power in Germany is thus almost twice as high as in Argentina.
Cost of living in Argentina compared to neighbouring countries
Here is the Numbeo 2024 ranking of the cost of living in South America, from highest to lowest:
- Uruguay: 55.3
- Guyana: 46.2
- Chile: 39.9
- Venezuela: 39.4
- Brazil: 35.2
- Ecuador: 33.6
- Peru: 30.9
- Colombia: 30.6
- Bolivia: 28.3
- Argentina: 27.8
- Paraguay: 27.6
This makes Argentina one of the countries with the lowest cost of living in the Americas.
Compared to Paraguay
The cost of living in Paraguay is 30% lower than in Argentina. A family of four needs a monthly budget of about €1,800, compared to €2,750 in Argentina.
This difference is mainly due to the significantly lower rents in Paraguay, which are about 30% lower than in Argentina.
Compared to Uruguay
Uruguay is the most expensive country in South America. However, this can vary depending on consumer habits. For example, it costs less to live on the outskirts of Montevideo than in some neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires.
Specifically, the cost of living in Uruguay is more than 35% higher than in Argentina. The difference in costs is reflected above all in the housing budget (+24%) and in the budget for purchases (+22%).
However, the Uruguayan average salary is higher: about €1,000 in Uruguay compared to €485 in Argentina.
Compared to Chile
The cost of living in Chile is up to 15% higher than in Argentina. A single person needs €1,000 per month to live in Chile, compared to €870 in Argentina. The Chilean average wage (€640) is also slightly higher than its Argentine counterpart.
However, the difference in living costs in the two capitals is narrowing. The monthly budget needed is practically the same, which is mainly due to the sometimes higher rents in Buenos Aires than in Santiago.