How much does it cost to live in Buenos Aires, one of South America’s most dynamic cities? If you’re a digital nomad, traveler, or expat considering a move to this bustling metropolis, understanding the cost of living is essential.
ExpatPathways delves into the financial aspects of life in Buenos Aires, covering everything from accommodation and services to dining and recreation.
This guide will provide you with all the information you need to budget your stay and enjoy everything this vibrant city has to offer without breaking the bank. Get ready to explore the true cost of living in Buenos Aires!
Cost of Living in Buenos Aires
Important Points to Understand the Argentine Economy
- In Argentina, nearly half of the employed population holds informal jobs, according to INDEC data.
- The average monthly income is US$196, with some people living on just US$1.97 per day.
- There are more than 10 exchange rates in Argentina due to the government’s stringent currency exchange restrictions, although this number can vary based on currency policies.
- In 2020, Argentina had the lowest level of banking penetration in the region, measured by the volume of bank loans and deposits to the private sector relative to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
- Loans provided by the private sector represent just 8% of the national GDP, below the regional average.
- Argentina has one of the highest tax burdens in the world, ranking first when compared to the 30 countries that make up 86% of the global GDP.
- Argentina ended 2023 with the highest inflation rate in the world.
- Between 2017 and 2023, cumulative inflation in Argentina exceeded 2000%.
Accommodations
In Buenos Aires, you can find multiple accommodation options. Your choice will depend not only on cost or your willingness to invest but also on the duration of your stay and the type of amenities you seek.
Fortunately, Buenos Aires offers a wide range of accommodations: apartments for rent, hotels (luxury, budget, central, etc.), and hostels. Many of these accommodations are concentrated in central areas of Buenos Aires, aiming to attract foreigners who visit the city every year: Palermo, Puerto Madero, San Telmo, San Nicolás, Monserrat, Retiro, Recoleta, Almagro, Balvanera, and more.
| Description | Price (Range) USD |
|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | $499.50 (range: $350.00-$720.00) |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | $363.28 (range: $225.00-$600.00) |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | $933.47 (range: $600.00-$1,500.00) |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | $649.00 (range: $400.00-$1,000.00) |
In terms of hotels and hostels, the price range is quite broad. Hotel prices depend not only on their star rating and amenities but also on their location. For example, Palermo, Recoleta, and Puerto Madero are the most expensive areas, but also where you can find the most options. Conversely, areas further from downtown Buenos Aires are more affordable, although comfort and safety tend to decrease.
Services
One positive aspect of Buenos Aires is the cost of services. This includes all the services that contribute to the well-being of a citizen: electricity, heating, water, telephony, garbage collection, internet, and medical care.
If these services are affordable for an Argentine, they are even more so for a foreigner. The reason for the low service costs in Argentina is subsidies and regulations.
For example, in Buenos Aires, energy distribution companies must hold public hearings to announce rate increases. Depending on the economic policy implemented in Argentina, subsidies for basic services may be more or less flexible.
Currently, state regulation is under scrutiny as the inability of service providers to adjust their rates discourages investment and leads to a reduction in efficiency and service quality.
| Description | Price (Range) USD |
|---|---|
| Basic utilities (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for an 85m2 apartment | $44.14 (range: $25.05-$100.00) |
| Monthly Mobile Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | $15.48 (range: $6.00-$25.00) |
| Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, Cable/ADSL) | -20,07 $ (range: $10,42) |
If you live in Buenos Aires, services will not be a significant expense for you, especially when renting an apartment and covering these costs. However, we recommend monitoring service costs, as successive changes in the regulation and subsidy regime can lead to increases and a gradual liberalization of rates.
Food and Drink
Argentines have learned to be price detectives. In Argentina, inflation is a chronic problem with which we have (sadly) learned to live. While drastic measures have been taken to reduce the inflation rate (which had reached almost 20% by the end of 2023), no Argentine would be surprised if a price increases by 10% from one month to the next.
The effects of an inflationary economy on daily life are easily noticeable. For example, consumers lose track of what is expensive and what is cheap. Is this bottle of milk priced fairly, or can it be found cheaper elsewhere?
Moreover, especially in the food, drink, and grocery sector, the retail market for basic products is highly diversified. Alongside large hypermarkets found throughout Buenos Aires, there are smaller stores with more convenient prices. In fact, fewer Argentine families shop weekly in supermarkets, opting instead for small markets and local stores.
In any case, most basic goods in Buenos Aires are locally produced. Therefore, prices can range from economical (vegetables, drinks, bread) to not so cheap (dairy products, meat, cigarettes).
It’s important to note that the prices of vegetables and fruits can fluctuate depending on the season. In these cases, it’s advisable not to accept high prices and find temporary substitutes.
A particular case is beef, one of the most coveted goods by Argentines, as it is the main component of the most celebrated dish in Buenos Aires: the asado. The price of beef follows its own logic, given that it is an export product.
| Description | Price (Range) USD |
|---|---|
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | $1.14 (range: $0.52-$1.80) |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | $2.20 (range: $1.00-$4.50) |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | $1.76 (range: $0.80-$2.50) |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | $2.16 (range: $1.00-$3.30) |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | $9.88 (range: $5.00-$20.00) |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | $4.86 (range: $2.00-$8.00) |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or equivalent back leg red meat) | $6.73 (range: $4.10-$10.00) |
| Apples (1kg) | $1.89 (range: $1.00-$3.00) |
| Bananas (1kg) | $1.83 (range: $1.00-$2.80) |
| Oranges (1kg) | $1.32 (range: $0.50-$2.50) |
| Tomatoes (1kg) | $1.88 (range: $0.50-$3.40) |
| Potatoes (1kg) | $0.88 (range: $0.50-$1.20) |
| Onions (1kg) | $0.89 (range: $0.40-$1.50) |
| Lettuce (1 head) | $1.22 (range: $0.50-$2.00) |
| Water (1.5-liter bottle) | $1.11 (range: $0.60-$1.80) |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $4.00 (range: $2.34-$6.00) |
| Domestic Beer (0.5-liter bottle) | $1.15 (range: $0.68-$2.00) |
| Imported Beer (0.33-liter bottle) | $1.81 (range: $1.00-$3.00) |
| Pack of Cigarettes (Marlboro) | $2.00 (range: $1.50-$4.00) |
Recreation
Being in Buenos Aires is a challenge for those who enjoy going out, exploring, and experiencing new things. But it is also a challenge for sports and culture enthusiasts. A negative challenge? Not at all!
Buenos Aires is filled with recreational, fun, and entertainment options, whether they are gastronomic, sports-related, artistic, or cultural.
Therefore, it makes sense that a significant portion of your budget will be dedicated to exploring Buenos Aires, enjoying its cuisine, and, of course, staying in shape.
Regarding sports activities, both gym memberships and the rental of tennis or soccer courts are reasonably priced. Additionally, the various gyms you have for training offer reasonably priced memberships, especially if you opt for a semi-annual or annual subscription.
Furthermore, art and culture in Buenos Aires are “bargain-priced.” To be honest, it is not expensive to enjoy a movie or a play in Buenos Aires, although prices might be higher for nightclubs, bars, and books.
Restaurants, cafes, and fast-food chains are areas where you won’t spend much money. You can enjoy the best Argentine beef and a delicious coffee for breakfast or in the afternoon at a reasonable price. Of course, the location of the chosen establishment will be crucial, as prices can vary between Buenos Aires neighborhoods (even within the same chain of stores).
| Description | Price (Range) USD |
|---|---|
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | $8.00 (range: $5.00-$14.00) |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | $35.00 (range: $20.00-$60.00) |
| McMeal at McDonald’s (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | $6.00 (range: $5.00-$7.00) |
| Domestic Beer (0.5-liter draught) | $1.50 (range: $1.00-$3.50) |
| Imported Beer (0.33-liter bottle) | $2.50 (range: $2.00-$4.00) |
| Cappuccino (regular) | $2.32 (range: $1.00-$5.00) |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33-liter bottle) | $1.34 (range: $0.80-$2.00) |
| Water (0.33-liter bottle) | – |
| Gym, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $22.26 (range: $12.00-$50.00) |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | $8.36 (range: $5.00-$15.00) |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | $4.44 (range: $3.00-$7.48) |
Transportation
One advantage of Buenos Aires for travelers, digital nomads, and expats is its transportation infrastructure. The city boasts an extensive network of railways, subways, buses, highways, avenues, and streets that connect not only the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires but also the metropolitan area, which includes the Province of Buenos Aires.
A special mention should be made of the air connectivity, centered on the two Buenos Aires airports: Ezeiza International Airport (the most important) and Jorge Newbery Airport.
However, this is contrasted by a particular paradox in the way people travel in Buenos Aires. While public transport, subsidized and with regulated fares, is “incredibly” cheap, the acquisition of a private car and the expenses related to its maintenance are very high for the average Argentine.
Thus, the cost of traveling in Buenos Aires can be almost insignificant if your main mode of transport is trains, subways, or buses. By obtaining your SUBE card (the only authorized payment method for public transport), you can use all these public transport options and recharge your balance as many times as you want.
The other side of the coin is transportation in private vehicles, whether you prefer renting cars, buying a vehicle (with a heavy tax burden), or even using taxi services or ride-sharing apps. All expenses related to private cars (parking, gasoline, repairs, taxes) significantly increase the cost of transportation compared to not only public transport but also private transport in other parts of the world.
| Description | Price (Range) USD |
|---|---|
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | $0.30 (range: $0.15-$0.50) |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | $8.00 (range: $5.00-$20.00) |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | $0.90 (range: $0.60-$1.89) |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | $0.89 (range: $0.37-$1.00) |
| Taxi 1-hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | $4.80 (range: $3.00-$8.00) |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $0.92 (range: $0.60-$1.20) |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | $21,000.00 (range: $15,000.00-$25,000.00) |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | $24,240.88 |
Clothing
One of the most debated sectors in the Argentine economy is clothing. Images of Argentines traveling to neighboring countries solely to buy clothes at lower prices are telling.
Protectionist policies and excessive taxation have made clothing one of the most inflation-driven sectors. This results in very expensive clothing, regardless of whether it is from top, mid, or lower-tier brands.
In Buenos Aires, this phenomenon of “clothing priced like a Mercedes Benz” has led to the proliferation of outlets, second-hand clothing, and counterfeits.
If you want to buy branded, quality clothing, shopping malls, and major commercial areas in Buenos Aires (Palermo, Belgrano, Microcentro, Recoleta) house the leading brands and stores.
Conversely, if you don’t want to spend too much on these products, you can visit second-hand markets or outlets, which are very popular on weekdays and weekends. These markets are located in areas such as Villa Crespo, San Telmo, Once (Balvanera), and Flores.
| Description | Price (Range) USD |
|---|---|
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 or Similar) | $84.55 (range: $40.00-$150.00) |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, …) | $67.08 (range: $35.00-$149.00) |
| 1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | $119.69 (range: $60.00-$220.00) |
| 1 Pair of Men’s Leather Business Shoes | $110.93 (range: $50.00-$200.00) |
Electronics
Protectionist policies and import substitution, coupled with strict currency controls, have made electronics a costly market for Argentines.
The case of electronics is similar to that of clothing, with the difference that counterfeits and second-tier brands in the “black market” do not follow the same dynamics.
While purchasing a mobile phone or computing equipment is a significant investment for an Argentine, it is not a major expense for a foreigner. However, comparing the prices of electronics in Argentina with those in neighboring countries reveals substantial differences.
The positive aspect is that Buenos Aires offers a wide and varied market for electronics, gaming, computing, and mobile phones, despite the obstacles mentioned. If you are a content creator or a digital nomad needing assurance that any technological issue can be resolved in your city of residence, then Buenos Aires is ideal for you.
You can purchase electronics online, from appliance chains, or specialized stores, whether for audio, gaming, computing, or mobile phones. Buenos Aires is one of the most technologically developed cities, with connectivity that requires a market that meets these high standards.
Last Considerations
Are you ready to embrace the vibrant life in Buenos Aires while keeping your expenses in check? Despite being one of the most significant economies in the world and the continent, Argentina grapples with instability and macroeconomic challenges.
Over the years, Buenos Aires has transformed into an economical place to live, offering an unbeatable quality of life-to-cost ratio for foreigners. Transportation, recreation, and basic goods are very affordable, and services are cost-effective due to subsidies and regulations, though these policies have led to efficiency and quality issues.
With diverse accommodation options, ranging from apartments to hostels, you’ll find something that fits your budget. Keep in mind the multiple exchange rates, including the official dollar and the parallel “blue” dollar, when planning your finances.
ExpatPathways provides a comprehensive guide to navigating these aspects, ensuring you are well-prepared for a rewarding experience in Buenos Aires.
