Argentina (AR)
Argentina is South America's second-largest country — a land of European-influenced culture, world-class wine, legendary beef, breathtaking landscapes from Patagonia to the Andes, and one of the most vibrant expat communities in Latin America.
Capital: Buenos Aires
Region: Americas
Language: Spanish
Currency: ARS ($)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 25)
Emergency: 911
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Cost of Living
Real prices in Argentina — 2026 data in ARS.
25
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Very affordable compared to major global cities. Your money goes a long way here.
Food & Groceries
Bread (pan francés, 250g) ARS 800–1,500
Milk (1L, whole) ARS 1,500–2,200
Eggs (12 units) ARS 2,500–4,500
Beef (asado cut, 1kg — iconic Argentine cut) ARS 6,000–15,000
Chicken breast (1kg) ARS 4,000–8,000
Pasta (500g) ARS 1,000–2,500
Malbec wine (bottle, decent) ARS 3,000–12,000
Quilmes beer (1L, supermarket) ARS 1,500–2,500
Monthly groceries for 1 person ARS 180,000–350,000
Dining Out
Menú del día (2 courses, neighbourhood restaurant) ARS 4,000–10,000
Empanadas (4 units) ARS 3,000–6,000
Parrilla main course ARS 8,000–25,000
Coffee (cortado / café con leche) ARS 1,500–3,500
Beer in a bar (pint) ARS 2,500–6,000
Dinner for 2 (mid-range parrilla, wine included) ARS 40,000–100,000
Milanesa napolitana ARS 6,000–15,000
Rent
1-bed apartment (Palermo, Buenos Aires) ARS 500,000–1,200,000/month
2-bed apartment (Palermo, Buenos Aires) ARS 700,000–1,800,000/month
1-bed apartment (Recoleta / Belgrano) ARS 550,000–1,300,000/month
1-bed apartment (Villa Crespo / Caballito) ARS 400,000–900,000/month
Studio (Mendoza or Córdoba) ARS 250,000–600,000/month
Shared room (Buenos Aires expat house) ARS 200,000–500,000/month
Transport
SUBE card trip (Subte / bus, city lines — June 2026) ARS 700–1,200
Taxi (per km, Buenos Aires) ARS 500–800/km
Uber trip (5km urban) ARS 3,000–7,000
Petrol (nafta súper, per litre) ARS 1,200–1,600
Long-distance bus Buenos Aires–Córdoba (semicama) ARS 15,000–35,000
Domestic flight Buenos Aires–Bariloche (book early) ARS 40,000–150,000
Monthly parking garage (Buenos Aires) ARS 60,000–120,000
Health & Insurance
OSDE 210 prepaga (individual, monthly) ARS 80,000–150,000
Swiss Medical prepaga (individual, monthly) ARS 70,000–130,000
GP visit (private, no insurance) ARS 15,000–40,000
Dentist check-up ARS 20,000–60,000
Prescription medication (basic, with prepaga co-pay) ARS 500–3,000
Psychotherapy session (private therapist) ARS 20,000–60,000
Utilities
Electricity (1-bed apartment, monthly, subsidised) ARS 8,000–25,000
Gas (1-bed apartment, monthly, subsidised) ARS 5,000–15,000
Internet (fibre 100Mbit, monthly) ARS 15,000–35,000
Mobile phone plan (data + calls, monthly) ARS 10,000–25,000
Streaming (Netflix / Spotify, monthly each) ARS 2,000–5,000
Childcare
Public primary / secondary school Free
Private bilingual school (monthly cuota) ARS 700,000–2,500,000
Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) Free
Private university (monthly) ARS 50,000–250,000
Babysitter (per hour) ARS 2,000–5,000
Leisure
Cinema ticket (standard) ARS 3,500–8,000
Gym membership (monthly) ARS 15,000–45,000
Tango lesson (1 hour, group) ARS 5,000–15,000
Theatre ticket (Buenos Aires) ARS 5,000–30,000
Museum entrance (most national museums) Free or ARS 500–3,000
Haircut (men's, barber) ARS 5,000–15,000
Haircut (women's, salon) ARS 15,000–50,000
Day trip to Tigre Delta (transport) ARS 5,000–15,000
Cost of Living
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