Cost of Living in Buenos Aires 2012
Argentine Money, Feature — By DiegoBelow is a list of different prices in Buenos Aires. Our most recent update was on Feb. 10th. Surprisingly, there were quite a few prices that decreased in the food category. This is a nice change from the typical inflation that is usually experienced in Buenos Aires. We update our cost of living every quarter, and usually there is about a 6-7% increase in prices, although this number varies greatly between categories.
Feel free to comment below with prices you have noticed going up or down, or what your monthly costs are.
EBA Staff
_________________________________________________
It is impossible to give a number on how much you can expect to spend while living or visiting Buenos Aires. It all depends on how you like to spend your money, and how much of it you have to spend. Below are approximate numbers to give you an idea of what your monthly cost of living could be in Buenos Aires. Remember that all prices are in Argentine Pesos. These are current prices as of May 2010. Keep in mind, there is inflation in Argentina of about 2% – 3% every month.
Here is my monthly budget for Buenos Aires – what you can expect to spend in Argentine pesos. For more detailed information, see below.
Monthly Cost of Living in Buenos Aires
Monthly Budget in Argentine Pesos
Apartment
$1,700
(Living in a shared apartment, all inclusive)
Food
$700
Necessities
$200
Things like soap, shampoo, garbage bags, etc.
Transportation
$100
includes the odd taxi ride, but mostly bus and subway
Cell
$60
Entertainment
$1,400
(bars, theatre, clubbing, eating out, etc)
Total
$4,160
Total of what you can expect to spend converted into major currencies:
US$
$957.22
CAN$
$958.88
EUR €
$725.92
UK ₤
$607.78
Apartments in Buenos Aires
**prices stated are in Argentine pesos**
Variations in cost are because it depends on the location, size, and quality of your apartment. These prices are all based on apartments that you´d find in the most popular neighbourhoods for travellers: San Telmo, Recoleta, Centro, Barrio Norte, Palermo, Belgrano, Colegiales, Villa Crespo. Keep in mind though that prices vary depending on which of these neighborhoods you are looking in. Palermo, Recoleta, Barrio Norte, tend to be the most expensive, with Belgrano right up there as well.
A room in a shared apartment: $ 1350+
**This usually includes internet, phone, cable, condo expenses, etc.
Your own studio apartment, as a temporary furnished rental: $2800 + A decent place will likely cost you around $3100 +
**This usually includes internet, phone, cable, condo expenses, etc.
Your own one bedroom, as a temporary furnished rental: $3000 + A decent place will likely cost you around $3300 +
**This usually includes internet, phone, cable, etc.
Your own studio, renting long term with a garantia: $1800+
**this includes apartment fees (known as expensas). But not things like phone, internet, cable, and electricity.
Your own one bedroom, renting long term with a garantia: $2200+
**this includes apartment fees. But not things like phone, internet, cable, and electricity.
Extras
**prices stated are in Argentine pesos**
Internet: $85 – $145 depending on company and if you can get a special starting offer. This is for 3M high speed cable, DSL or ADSL. Also can depend on the arrangement your building has with the internet company.
Cable TV: $80+
Electricity: $20+ *Much higher if you use electric heat or air conditioning.
Phone: $25+ *$25 gets you a phone line, but you have to pay to make calls to cell phones and of course, long distance.
New cell phone: $140 and up, for an unlocked pay as you go phone (although they are hard to find at that price)
Cell phone monthly payments: $20+ Can be a plan or pay as you go. $20 would be if you don´t make many calls, only lots of texts. You can get a decent plan on a smart phone for $80+ pesos per month.
Food
**prices stated are in Argentine pesos**
Food will probably cost you about $600 – $800 pesos a month. If you are very careful about eating cheaply, and don´t eat a lot of expensive meat or chicken, you might be able to keep it between $450 – $600.
| Food | Curent Price in pesos | Unit | Price in Oct 2011 | % increase |
| Filet Mignon | $53.99 | kg | $53.99 | 0.0% |
| Good Ground Beef | $22.99 | kg | $25.99 | -11.5% |
| Whole Chicken | $11.99 | kg | $8.25 | 45.3% |
| Skinned/ boneless Chicken Breast | $32.89 | kg | $33.99 | -3.2% |
| Salmon Filet | $94.99 | kg | $95.99 | -1.0% |
| Hake | $29.99 | kg | $29.99 | 0.0% |
| Mussels, frozen and without shell | $29.99 | kg | $29.99 | 0.0% |
| extra virgin olive oil: | $34.35 | 500 g | $32.69 | 5.1% |
| Can of good tuna | $9.45 | 170g | $9.29 | 1.7% |
| Good Rice | $5.25 | 500g | $5.45 | -3.7% |
| pasta | $5.85 | 500g | $5.99 | -2.3% |
| Jar of Strawberry Jam | $14.77 | 390 g | $13.99 | 5.6% |
| 6 eggs | $6.59 | 6 | $6.79 | -2.9% |
| Milk | $4.19 | 1L | $4.07 | 2.9% |
| Stick of Butter | $4.45 | 100g | $4.39 | 1.4% |
| Ground Coffee | $8.32 | 250g | $8.32 | 0.0% |
| Fruits and Veggies | ||||
| Red Pepper | $12.99 | kg | $15.99 | -18.8% |
| Carrots | $6.99 | kg | $4.49 | 55.7% |
| Tomatoes | $8.99 | kg | $8.99 | 0.0% |
| Zucchini | $9.99 | kg | $13.99 | -28.6% |
| White Potatoes | $3.49 | kg | $3.99 | -12.5% |
| Brown Onions | $3.99 | kg | $7.99 | -50.1% |
| Bananas | $7.99 | kg | $5.99 | 33.4% |
| Red Delicious Apples | $9.99 | kg | $9.99 | 0.0% |
| Pears | $9.99 | kg | $9.99 | 0.0% |
| Strawberries | $34.99 | kg | $16.99 | 105.9% |
| Kiwi | $18.99 | kg | $19.90 | -4.6% |
| Mandarins | $9.99 | kg | $9.99 | 0.0% |
| Lemons | $17.59 | kg | $5.99 | 193.7% |
| Beverages | ||||
| Bottle of good wine | $54.00 | 750ml | $56.19 | -3.9% |
| Bottle of decent cheap wine | $22.99 | 750ml | $23.99 | -4.2% |
| 26 oz bottle of Smirnoff | $50.68 | 750ml | $50.68 | 0.0% |
| 26 oz bottle of Jonny Walker Red | $104.46 | 750ml | $104.46 | 0.0% |
| Cleaning Supplies | ||||
| Liquid Laundry Detergent | $48.99 | 3L | $45.90 | 6.7% |
| Palmolive Body Wash – 250ml | $12.20 | 250ml | $12.79 | -4.6% |
| Pantene Shampoo | $34.67 | 750ml | $34.69 | -0.1% |
| Colgate Toothpaste | $8.40 | 180gr | $8.45 | -0.6% |
| Transportation | ||||
| Taxi | $7.30 | - | $5.80 | 25.9% |
| Subway | $2.50 | - | $1.10 | 127.3% |
| City Bus | $1.10 | - | $1.10 | 0.0% |
| Train | $0.80-$4.30 | - | $0.80-$4.30 | 0.0% |
Entertainment
**prices stated are in Argentine pesos**
Prices are the usual costs. It can be higher or lower, depending on where you go.
Movie: $16 – $25 in a nice theater
Bottle of decent wine: $12 – $20
Bottle of very good wine: $25 and up
1L beer: $4.70 – $8.00
Entrance to clubs: $20 – $50
Entrance to Milongas: $15 – $35
Bottle of beer in bar/club: $10 – $25
Highball or cocktail in bar/club: $15– $40
Entrée in a nice restaurant: $40 – $70
Dessert in a nice restaurant: $12 – $25
Glass of wine in a nice restaurant: $15 – $25
Bottle of mediocre to decent wine in a nice restaurant: $40 – $60
Dinner for two, incl. 1 appetizer, two main courses, one dessert, and a bottle of wine:
*Cheap restaurant: $125+
*Nice restaurant: $200 +
Theater: $20 – $250+ Typical price for a broadway-style show is around $100 – $150
Museum: Free – $25
Live music show: $15 – $100+
Transportation
**prices stated are in Argentine pesos**
Taxi: $7.30+ From Palermo to the Obelisk: $40
Bus: $1.10 – $1.75
Subway: $2.50
Train: $0.80-$4.30 (mainly used to go from the suburbs into Buenos Aires).
**prices stated are in Argentine pesos**
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62 Comments
Nice article, what about the cost of healthcare? Is there health/dental/vision insurance in BA?
Thanks for your input, I´ll get some costs up for health care in the next little while. I actually have a few posts coming out in the next couple of days about health care
- Matt
I have found an apartment on my own for $700 a month, it is a small one bedroom in palermo soho, i think the costs in this article are quite high.
Hi Ben,
Keep in mind these prices are in pesos. Basically, for a one bedroom, you can find one for around US$550 and up.
- Matt
We have created bugets for all kinds of pocket books and are happy to share our findings. If your coming and want some ideas on how to spend what you do have, give us call.
Mark Cervantes
http://www.toursthroughargentina.com
mcervantes@toursthroughargentina.com
713-370-0048
011-54-11-37935017
Are you sure? I live in Buenos Aires and I promise living in this city is more expensive of that. Perhaps is cheaper when you just go to visit a place and have minimun expenses…
Hi Roberto, thanks for input. I’ve lived here for 3 and a half years, I’d say my expenses are pretty much what any person living here would have. What part are you referring to? Im guessing my budget, because the price quotes aren’t arbitrary, whereas the budget is. Obviously, a budget can vary hugely, depending on how you want to live. What is your budget like?
m_) thanks for the info. It helps a lot. And I will see if I can estimate on my own.
– Dan
Any idea how much a tray of factura costs? How about Havanna alfajores? I haven’t been to Argentina since I was a child, but my grandfather down there used to buy several trays of factura each week as a treat for me.
Ah, the memories! My grandmother would make homemade gnocchi and veal milanesas, as well as buñuelos de seso (at least until I found out “seso” meant “brain”!), and my father and I would take long walks around Bs. As. and stop for churros, panqueques con dulce de leche, café con leche with media lunas, lomitos, gelato… I loved the food and the people down there. I wish I could go back sometime soon, but airfare is too expensive (~$1,400 after taxes fees seems like the cheapest I can find) and being married now that means 2 tickets. The airfare alone pays for a full vacation in the country, something which as a grad student I can’t afford anyway.
I recently found that I could get my Argentine citizenship through my father, so may do that once I can afford to travel there.
Anyway, thanks for the awesome info. It will go into my Evernote to hopefully utilize sometime before it’s either obsolete or I die lol.
Nice costs breakdown. BA wasn’t quite as cheap as I had hoped for, but it still is quite affordable, and you can eat Beef like a King!
Hello guys and gals
I would like to ask a few things.
Is the currency sign on the top for us dollars or argentinian currency.. if it is for argentinian currency than my calculation could be correct.
Would $ 9000 argentinian currency be enough to settle down with my wife and 3 year old daughter?
Thanking in advance
All prices are in pesos (argentine currency). However, at the very top of the post, I do an estimate in dollars. Thats a monthly budget for myself, living alright, but not going crazy.
(approximately US $730 CA $770 Euro €580 Pounds £500)
Its hard to say if $9000 pesos is enough to settle down. Depends on if you can find work or not. $9000 will probably last you about 2-3 months here, supporting two other people. A one bedroom apartment will set you back at least $2000, probably more, like $2200, $2400 (for a furnished, all included place). If you want a 2 bedroom, it will be a lot more. Food will probably cost close to $1000 pesos. Plus, if you are here with family, you are going to want a health plan, which for three, I have no idea, but probably over $300, if not a lot more (all depends on the kind of plan you want).
Anyway, take a look at my Cost of Living page, prices are in pesos, and if you are wondering about other prices, let me know.
Good luck,
Cheers,
Matt
Hello Matt.
I was wondering if you can help me with this calculations please.
I am from South Africa and I am 33 years old married and a 3 year old daughter. My dad passed away a few month back and left me with a property which I lease out every month. The income I get NET is about R 17 200 (rands) ie ($ 2300 US) and $ 9000 pesos. The person that is renting my property can transfer the funds into my account which i can always take out in Argentina every single month.
can you break down these expenses please.
Firstly, is it difficult getting a long term visa for Argentina?
1) 2 bedroom apartment not furnished. Well I would like to stay a minimum of 1 year so I would buy my own furniture. Even if it means that I am staying slightly out of the city in a quietier area.
1.a) what is the cost more or less for the rentals?
1.b) what is the cost more or less for the water ?
1.c) what is the cost for electricity?
I read somewher on this website about a 10% inflation? is it 10% per year or month?
Matt if possible can I keep asking other questions on costing on a daily basis so I can do my homework on my side before jumping the gun?
Thanking in advance.
With us$2300 per month, you can live well in the United States my friend.
This use of $ to represent pesos is confusing I must say… but I get that the bottom line is we’re talking around $750 US dollars per person per month living in the heart of BA.
That sounds cheap … you’re messing with my head my friend. It seems I need to double up on my Spanish classes.
Wow! Nice break down. Is the cost of living in Argentina pretty much the same (outside of Buenos Aires)? How about the other major cities?
It seems pretty cheap, but I guess that is all relative.
Che, could add milongas/tango lessons to the Entertainment!..
PS thanks a lot for the numbers!!
Nice. I can’t wait to go myself! Would you mind sharing the complex you lived in or any pictures so I know what I am getting? My business allows me to work from anywhere in the world, but I need to know what kind of wattage I’ll need for my VOIP phone. Also, do you have any advice on the cheapest way to fly there from the US? Thanks in advance!
This is for Pullice´s July 29, 2010 about coming from Africa to Argentina:
1- R 17 200 is more than good in Buenos Aires, and a lot better in suburban places 60 min from the capital.
2-You need to read about a similar experience from a couple with 2 girls from Portland:
http://www.expatinterviews.com/argentina/michele-reeves.html
I am travelling to Argentina in October, (currently living in Colombia and before in the US). I already got an apartment for argentinian$2400 that includes once a week maid, 3mbit Internet, all utilities covered,2 car parking, etc. in a very nice neigthborhood… I´m planning on $2000 more for entertainment and living expenses….
Conclusion: You´ll be fine on your budget!
Hey, great post, mate- I am doing business with an Argentinian and was wondering what his dollar per hour price reflected to him actually on the street, and this told it all- he’s making pretty good cash
@Martin… $2300 in the US wouldn’t pay HALF of my basic nut where I live, and it ain’t in Shangri-la, I assure you. Maybe a single person with roommates, living in a one bedroom trailer in Arkansas eating cat food could get by on that, but don’t have children, my friend…LOL
great idea….we will add those in the future. Thanks for the suggestion.
-Matt
Thanks, Matt. Good info. My brother and I are considering a move down there from California. He’s already lived there but a 2010 cost of living budget is nice to have.
Gman, I live in one of the most expensive regions of the US and I could get by on 2300 per month easily, even living well. Given, I don’t have wife or kids.
I have been reading this blog and others to figure out the costs of rent in B.A. We are 2 girls wanting to go live in B.A for a year and we are looking for a cheap apartment and we are getting a lot of different pricing. It seems you can get a small 1 bed or studio furnished short term for $550-700 (USD) but then a friends friend who is living down there (not Argentinian) says rent is USD 1000-1800 and that’s not even in B.A. Only in very bad neighborhoods can you get something less. Advice please?
Hi Angelica, You are correct, you can easily get a small 1-bed/studio furnished apartment in good neighborhoods (the best) in Buenos Aires for between US $550-$700. There are many decent sites for looking for apartments, I’ve used many, one of my favorites is http://www.4rentargentina.com/. You will find lots of different apartments there for under US $700.
Cheers
-Matt
Hi,
Nice breakdown of how much everything is here, I currently live here, next to Plaza Italia, and I would say most, if not all, of the prices are accurate. Of course if you shop around you may be able to find offers at cheaper prices, but this is a good guideline.
Goes to show how much cheaper living here is than the States or Europe!
Charlie
Please check out my site I’m working on http://livinginbsas.blogspot.com/
Hey! As an expat in Buenos Aires, I have run across similar numbers in October 2010.
I am in the process of making a googledoc spreadsheet of the cost of foods here, would you be interested in posting it when I finish it up?
Also, where did you find shared housing for $1200mo? The best I’m able to find is around 500 USD, or $2000 Ar / month. I’d love to live where you are.
I just moved back to Boca Raton Florida after living in Buenos Aires for two years. I must say the prices have gone thru the roof, and no longer cost effective; even with the dollar.
Aside from that, the crime has also increased, not only in perception, but in reality.
I miss the creature comforts a took for grated in the US, not to mention the health system, quick police, ambulance, and emergency (Guadia) response.
I was mislead when I moved to Argentina. Based on my experience they don’t hols US citizens in high esteem, and are quick with their temper, and a total lack of civility, and manners.
I hope other find living in Buenos Aires have a better experience.
we are a family of five looking to live abroad for 6-12 months…need safety first as we have three young daughters…cost of living low and want to experience a different culture….where would u suggest?
Do you mean what neighborhood would I suggest, or what country? Send me an email, and I´d be happy to help you.
- Matt
I’ve lived in BA for about 3 years. After returning last week from a 2 month trip to Berlin, I was surprised to see two things: 1) That the cost of living is overall comparable between Berlin and Buenos Aires in almost all respects (with the exception of certain things like transportation) 2) That – like Al Gore’s example of how if you drop a toad into very hot water it will try to jump out, but if you drop it in the water at a cool temperature and gradually turn up the heat, he won’t notice – after being away for two months, I have really noticed some serious inflation since November. Fresh after doing some Sunday shopping at Coto this afternoon, I would say all the prices listed here are now on the very upper end of your spectrum when you provide a range. For example: “500 ml extra virgin olive oil: $15 – $25″.. I just bought a 500 ml bottle and the cheapest I could find was $25… When I moved here in early 2008, people were already complaining on forums and blogs about inflation. But then it was still relatively cheap. Now it really isn’t at all anymore. I think it is only fair that people know this before planning to move here.
Hi Matt,
Would I be able to email you with a couple of questions?
Cheers
Chris
Yup, its time for my quarterly update. It will be out soon!
In US dollars; what would be a good salary to live in Bueson Aires a month?
Depends on what you need. But if you`re making US$1500 in Buenos Aires, its a very good salary.
so what is the bottom line? In US dollars for 2011 how much would one person need for a basic middle-class existence – i.e. eating out two or three times per week, belonging to a gym, seeing movies and attending performances, etc.?
Hi Martin, This really depends on too many factors. For example, where do you want to live? Will it be in a temporary rental (more expensive) , or a long term one?
What type of meals do you like, cheap or expensive? Do you like indie shows or broadway style ones? Do you drink lots when you go out?
Anyway, to give you a general idea, probably US$1500 would be enough. You could do it on less, but US $1500 will let you live quite comfortably, doing what you like.
- Matt
When I saw some of the prices listed I thought the article was referring to some other place other than Buenos Aires. Living here I can assure you that a very good quality 2 bedroom apartment, fully furnished, with all utilities inclusive of cable, Internet and phone is anywhere from $1000 to $1800 per month. Sure you can find a $2200 luxury apartment in Buenos Aires, but a $2200 apartment in Buenos Aires would easily be 4 times that in New York, and twice that in Los Angeles.
Brian, keep in mind these prices are in pesos. You will not find a furnished all included apartment in a decent area for anything less than $2200 pesos.
- Matt
Brian, I agree with Matt. Take under consideration that in Argentina if you rent a furnished apartment all the utilities and taxes are included in the price. I found a new site (http://www.charliesapartments.com )where you can receive personal attention and negociate important discounts. They have apartments in downtown close to $ 2200 (pesos).
Prices in BsAs have gone from dirt cheap to pretty expensive over the last 5 years.
15-25% yearly sustained inflation (in USD) had to leave its marks, I guess. I would say that you’ll have to spend at least 3000 pesos a month (750 USD) for a nice place to stay.
True – a place for $2200 is hard to find, and unlikely to be particularly nice. A nice place will easily cost close to $3000 and above.
On the Web it states updated Feb 2011 but in the text it states May 2010.
Which is correct?
Yes. It was updated on Feb. 2011. Google just hasn´t updated their index, so the old data still appears in the search engines.
- Matt
hi,i just came back from buenos aires, my second trip, and i considering moving there, im a barber in tampa fl, and i would like, to star a beauty bussines there. but i worry about inflation, and visa, and work papers, . any advise? thanks
CG, what do you think? Of course there are health insurande, although it is not called that way. I would call it health plan instead. Of course you have the public system that covers everything you mentioned for no money. But also have private plans with more varied options. If you legally work or are a tax payer you will have the right to get health care plan, 3% of you paycheck will be deducted. Worker’s unions usually manage own health companies. On the other hand you have private health plans companies. There are many and can go from a few hundred to a few thousand pesos depending on many factors and plans. But, don’t worry, here you are always going to get health care. There are many public hospitals that although sometimes jammed, they provide everything. From a simple ER visit to an organ transplant to everybody regardless nationality, income or legal status. xoxoxxo
Time for an update soon.
do you have a blog that I could follow, or is there anyway to contact you outside website?
Hi Medgosa, you could contact me through the contact page: http://exposebuenosaires.com/contact/
Thanks.
- Matt
Hi all, The pricess in argentina are too high. All my expectations are wrong. Even the prices mentioned in this article has to increase atleast 30%. Even one litre of milk is 5.5 Pesos, which is way higher than london as per my knowledge. And also i feel that prices are inflated so much here. Not a great place to stay as per my experiences. High cost of living , very low slary levels.
What are the average salaries for eg. a teacher, a policeman, a doctor, a plumber, a bus driver, etc.