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Buenos Aires vs Santiago

Buenos Aires runs about 33% cheaper than Santiago for this household, a difference of 409 USD a month.

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Buenos Aires
$1,240/month · Argentina
Unknown authorUnknown author · CC BY 2.5 ar
Doppeleinheit Bauart X’Trapolis Modular auf dem Gleis 6. Die von Alstom gelieferten Triebwagen basieren auf den S-Bahn-Triebwagen des Typs Civia von CAF. Die Wagen sind auf eine Bahnsteighöhe auf Wage
Santiago
$1,648/month · Chile
Falk2 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Buenos Aires monthly
$1,240
Index 19 (NYC = 100)
Santiago monthly
$1,648
Index 26 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+33%
Santiago relative to Buenos Aires
Rent gap
$150
Santiago costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Buenos AiresSantiago
  • Housing
    Housing: Buenos Aires $550, Santiago $700. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Food
    Food: Buenos Aires $382, Santiago $548. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Transport
    Transport: Buenos Aires $56, Santiago $58. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Buenos Aires $81, Santiago $111. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Buenos Aires $19, Santiago $22. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Buenos Aires $101, Santiago $139. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Other
    Other: Buenos Aires $51, Santiago $70. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricBuenos AiresSantiago
Cost
Total monthly cost1,240 USD✓1,648 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)19✓26
Housing550 USD✓700 USD
Utilities81 USD✓111 USD
Food382 USD✓548 USD
Transport56 USD✓58 USD
Healthcare19 USD✓22 USD
Lifestyle101 USD✓139 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,676 USD6,204 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate43.9%25.5%✓
Left over each month3,436 USD4,556 USD✓
Average local net salary600 USD950 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre550 USD✓700 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,100 USD✓1,400 USD
Buy price per m², centre2,200 USD✓2,800 USD
Quality of life
Safety48/10054/100✓
Healthcare72/10072/100
Air quality52/100✓32/100
Public transport74/10078/100✓
Walkability84/100✓72/100
English proficiency44/100✓34/100
Nightlife94/100✓74/100
Family friendliness70/10072/100✓
Median broadband90 Mbps180 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature18°C15°C✓
Summer high29°C29°C
Winter low8°C✓3°C
Sunshine hours per year2,500 h2,600 h✓
Annual rainfall1200 mm310 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach access45 min✓100 min
CurrencyARSCLP
Time zoneAmerica/Argentina/Buenos_AiresAmerica/Santiago

Buenos Aires runs about 33% cheaper than Santiago for this household, a difference of 409 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in Buenos AiresCost of living in SantiagoConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Buenos Aires or Santiago cheaper?

Buenos Aires runs about 33% cheaper than Santiago for this household, a difference of 409 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Santiago compared with Buenos Aires?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $4,676 a month in Buenos Aires and $6,204 in Santiago, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Buenos Aires or Santiago?

Buenos Aires scores 48/100 on safety and 72/100 on healthcare; Santiago scores 54 and 72. Buenos Aires averages 18°C against 15°C in Santiago.