✦ Cost of living
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires, Argentina
US = 100
In plain terms: Buenos Aires is about 47% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $500/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing46−54%
- Food & groceries55−45%
- Transport40−60%
- Utilities70−30%
- Healthcare55−45%
- Goods & services60−40%
About
“The Paris of South America”
European elegance at bargain prices — steak, tango and café culture, shadowed by chronic inflation.
- Currency
- Argentine peso · ARS
- Languages
- Spanish
- Coordinates
- -34.60, -58.38
- Emergency
- 911
What things cost
Taxes
35%
Income tax
progressive
21%
VAT / sales
35%
Corporate
$500
Avg net salary
per month
High inflation; figures move fast.
Visas & residency
Rentista and digital-nomad routes; a relatively open path to residency.
✈ 90-day tourist entry for many passports.
Max stay: 6 months
Permanent residence after ~3 yrs. Citizenship after ~2 yrs.
Quality of life
Safety
42/100
Healthcare
68/100
Pollution
50/100
Internet
60 Mbps
Jan avg
+25 °C
Jul avg
+11 °C
Sunny days
180/yr
Walkability
80/100
Relocation & documents
Coming soonWhere to look
Updated: 2026-08-14 · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · National tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
? Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Buenos Aires, AR?
Buenos Aires, AR's cost-of-living index is 53 (US average = 100) — about 47% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $500 per month.
What is the average rent in Buenos Aires, AR?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $500 per month, and around $350 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in Argentina?
Argentina has a top income-tax rate of 35% and a VAT or sales tax of 21%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Buenos Aires, AR?
Buenos Aires, AR averages around +25 °C in January and +11 °C in July, with roughly 180 sunny days a year.
❖ Compare Buenos Aires with…
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.