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Cost of Living in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de, Argentina · Population 16,710,000 · National capital

▲ +25% vs Argentina average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)$504,046 ($531)
Couple, monthly$900,910 ($948)
Family of four, monthly$1,171,181 ($1,233)

Estimated Prices in Buenos Aires

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant$5,187 ($5.46)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range$20,748 ($21.84)per meal
Cappuccino$1,556 ($1.64)each
Monthly groceries (single person)$117,572 ($124)per month
Monthly public transport pass$19,019 ($20.02)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment$50,141 ($52.78)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)$14,524 ($15.29)per month
Fitness club membership$14,524 ($15.29)per month
Cinema ticket$3,804 ($4.00)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre$227,479 ($239)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre$158,246 ($167)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre$474,739 ($500)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Buenos Aires is $617,500 ($650) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of $504,046 ($531) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly $655,260 ($690) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre ($158,246 ($167)) represents about 31% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires vs CórdobaBuenos Aires vs RosarioBuenos Aires vs La PlataBuenos Aires vs SaltaBuenos Aires vs San Miguel de TucumánBuenos Aires vs Mar del Plata

Nearby Cities

Dock Sur

6 km away · Buenos Aires

Avellaneda

7 km away · Buenos Aires

Villa Alsina

8 km away · Buenos Aires

Gerli

9 km away · Buenos Aires

Sarandí

10 km away · Buenos Aires

Villa Domínico

11 km away · Buenos Aires

Lanús

11 km away · Buenos Aires

Vicente López

11 km away · Buenos Aires

Other Major Cities in Argentina

Córdoba

Córdoba · pop. 1,505,250

$437,528 ($461) / mo

Rosario

Santa Fe · pop. 1,193,605

$437,528 ($461) / mo

La Plata

Buenos Aires · pop. 904,789

$404,573 ($426) / mo

Salta

Salta · pop. 627,704

$404,573 ($426) / mo

San Miguel de Tucumán

Tucumán · pop. 601,888

$404,573 ($426) / mo

Mar del Plata

Buenos Aires · pop. 593,337

$404,573 ($426) / mo

San Juan

San Juan · pop. 471,389

$404,573 ($426) / mo

Lanús

Buenos Aires · pop. 459,263

$404,573 ($426) / mo

Living in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is the capital and one of the key cities in Argentina. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is $504,046 ($531), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around $158,246 ($167) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to $1,171,181 ($1,233) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately $900,910 ($948) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Buenos Aires is $617,500 ($650). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least $655,260 ($690) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Buenos Aires expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated $504,046 ($531) per month in Buenos Aires including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for Argentina.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Buenos Aires?
A net salary of around $655,260 ($690) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Buenos Aires with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Buenos Aires is $617,500 ($650).
How much is rent in Buenos Aires?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated $227,479 ($239) per month in the city centre and $158,246 ($167) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $474,739 ($500).
Is Buenos Aires cheaper than Argentina on average?
No — Buenos Aires is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the Argentina average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Buenos Aires?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at $117,572 ($124) in Buenos Aires. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about $5,187 ($5) and a cappuccino runs around $1,556 ($2).
How do transport costs in Buenos Aires compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Buenos Aires is estimated at $19,019 ($20). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Buenos Aires are estimates based on Argentina national averages adjusted for city size (population 16,710,000) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.