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Santiago vs Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires runs about 25% cheaper than Santiago for this household, a difference of 409 USD a month.

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
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Buenos Aires
$1,240/month · Argentina
Unknown authorUnknown author · CC BY 2.5 ar
Santiago monthly
$1,648
Index 26 (NYC = 100)
Buenos Aires monthly
$1,240
Index 19 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-25%
Buenos Aires relative to Santiago
Rent gap
$150
Santiago costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

SantiagoBuenos Aires
  • Housing
    Housing: Santiago $700, Buenos Aires $550. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Food
    Food: Santiago $548, Buenos Aires $382. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Transport
    Transport: Santiago $58, Buenos Aires $56. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Santiago $111, Buenos Aires $81. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Santiago $22, Buenos Aires $19. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Santiago $139, Buenos Aires $101. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Other
    Other: Santiago $70, Buenos Aires $51. 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

MetricSantiagoBuenos Aires
Cost
Total monthly cost1,648 USD1,240 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)2619✓
Housing700 USD550 USD✓
Utilities111 USD81 USD✓
Food548 USD382 USD✓
Transport58 USD56 USD✓
Healthcare22 USD19 USD✓
Lifestyle139 USD101 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,204 USD✓4,676 USD
Effective tax + social rate25.5%✓43.9%
Left over each month4,556 USD✓3,436 USD
Average local net salary950 USD✓600 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre700 USD550 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,400 USD1,100 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre2,800 USD2,200 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety54/100✓48/100
Healthcare72/10072/100
Air quality32/10052/100✓
Public transport78/100✓74/100
Walkability72/10084/100✓
English proficiency34/10044/100✓
Nightlife74/10094/100✓
Family friendliness72/100✓70/100
Median broadband180 Mbps✓90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature15°C✓18°C
Summer high29°C29°C
Winter low3°C8°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,600 h✓2,500 h
Annual rainfall310 mm✓1200 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach access100 min45 min✓
CurrencyCLPARS
Time zoneAmerica/SantiagoAmerica/Argentina/Buenos_Aires

Buenos Aires runs about 25% cheaper than Santiago for this household, a difference of 409 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in SantiagoCost of living in Buenos AiresConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Santiago or Buenos Aires cheaper?

Buenos Aires runs about 25% cheaper than Santiago for this household, a difference of 409 USD a month.

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

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

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

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