What happens if Argentina gets too expensive? What are alternative cities/countries to move to when it's overpriced in Argentina?

Larry said:

It's not fun to look at when you're paying those very dear prices. I just don't understand how people believe this is a normal situation?


Yes! It is even more expensive than Europe or the States. Prices too high.


This just goes to prove my point. Even in the most expensive spots in the United States the prices are almost the same and in some cases more. This does not make sense in a poor country like Argentina where people do not make much money.

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Nasdaq said:

I agree with you Larry that something has to give eventually. It seems like most of the expats that are managing ok on this board are people that have dollar incomes and mostly own their own places in BA. If you own a place your expenses aren't really too bad unless you are dining out all the time.

Our biggest expense is going to restaurants and grocery store. Food at grocery store isn't that cheap here. Some things are less but others are just as expensive vs. home.

I see mortgages jumping up but it is people that mostly already have money. In this environment the people that are doing well are the people that have money and can buy things like stocks or real estate. Many are struggling that aren't in that category.

I don't know Argentina that well but this does not feel sustainable. These prices are not realistic for local wages. A huge part of the population makes less than $900 per month in their household. How is paying $1 to $2 for bottled water and $3 or $4 for a bottle of Coke or $3-$5 dollars for a coffee realistic?

Look at that Big Mac index! We are only behind Switzerland! That has to tell you something. I feel like some people are not seeing reality. Prices can't be as high as they are. Many places now in BA even in non touristy restaurants have steak that is $25 to $35 dollars. No wonder consumption has fallen off a cliff on beef consumption!

I doubt the IMF will allow Argentina to waste precious resources on interventions in the CCL/MEP markets anymore. I would hope that new funds are dependent on ending the currency controls soon. Caputo keeps saying they won't devalue but I don't see any other way. Salaries would have to skyrocket from these levels to justify the prices of everything.

I can't see deflation either and dollarization isn't going to happen. That was a myth that they could be able to do that. So sooner or later the peso has to get to reasonable levels.

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Nasdaq said:

Look at that Big Mac index! We are only behind Switzerland! That has to tell you something. I feel like some people are not seeing reality. Prices can't be as high as they are. Many places now in BA even in non touristy restaurants have steak that is $25 to $35 dollars. No wonder consumption has fallen off a cliff on beef consumption!

I doubt the IMF will allow Argentina to waste precious resources on interventions in the CCL/MEP markets anymore. I would hope that new funds are dependent on ending the currency controls soon. Caputo keeps saying they won't devalue but I don't see any other way. Salaries would have to skyrocket from these levels to justify the prices of everything.

I can't see deflation either and dollarization isn't going to happen. That was a myth that they could be able to do that. So sooner or later the peso has to get to reasonable levels.

Click to expand...

Larry said:

It's not fun to look at when you're paying those very dear prices. I just don't understand how people believe this is a normal situation?


Yes! It is even more expensive than Europe or the States. Prices too high.


This just goes to prove my point. Even in the most expensive spots in the United States the prices are almost the same and in some cases more. This does not make sense in a poor country like Argentina where people do not make much money.

Click to expand...

JonJLA said:

But @Larry you keep saying that Buenos Aires is more expensive than the USA. Have you ever lived in the USA? I don't believe so based on your posts. Some things might be more than the USA but overall Buenos Aires is much cheaper than the USA. Rentals don't even come close. Rents are cheap in Buenos Aires for the typical local with lots of options in different price points.

I read that you bought a property a long time ago. Consider yourself fortunate that you own a place. That is really important to managing your costs. I own a smaller 1 bedroom apartment in Palermo Soho. It is in a building with many amenities and I pay a few hundred dollars a month. My utilities are still affordable. I don't understand where you expect to move where your cost basis is going to be lower than BA?

If you have a paid off place what is there to complain about? Try living within your means and not dining out so much. I admit food prices are not cheap in BA. Especially for quality products but if locals can get by cooking then you can too. From your posts you are accustomed to having a coffee out daily and going out to eat many times a week. If you cut back on those things what is there to complain about?

I have traveled all around Latin America and I am not sure you will do better if you have to pay a rent somewhere and still have expenses. I feel your pain but I don't think you will find it as cheap as you think in many areas when all is said and done.

Click to expand...

JonJLA said:

But @Larry you keep saying that Buenos Aires is more expensive than the USA. Have you ever lived in the USA? I don't believe so based on your posts. Some things might be more than the USA but overall Buenos Aires is much cheaper than the USA. Rentals don't even come close. Rents are cheap in Buenos Aires for the typical local with lots of options in different price points.

I read that you bought a property a long time ago. Consider yourself fortunate that you own a place. That is really important to managing your costs. I own a smaller 1 bedroom apartment in Palermo Soho. It is in a building with many amenities and I pay a few hundred dollars a month. My utilities are still affordable. I don't understand where you expect to move where your cost basis is going to be lower than BA?

If you have a paid off place what is there to complain about? Try living within your means and not dining out so much. I admit food prices are not cheap in BA. Especially for quality products but if locals can get by cooking then you can too. From your posts you are accustomed to having a coffee out daily and going out to eat many times a week. If you cut back on those things what is there to complain about?

I have traveled all around Latin America and I am not sure you will do better if you have to pay a rent somewhere and still have expenses. I feel your pain but I don't think you will find it as cheap as you think in many areas when all is said and done.

Click to expand...

• Total: $600–$750 USD/month
  • Groceries: $250–$300
    • Bread: ~$1.60/loaf
    • Milk: ~$1.50/liter
    • Eggs: ~$3/dozen
    • Pasta: ~$2/kg
    • Rice: ~$2/kg
    • Vegetables: ~$1.70/kg (e.g., tomatoes)
    • Steak: ~$13–$15/kg
    • Palermo’s supermarkets (e.g., Coto, Carrefour) may charge a slight premium over outer areas, but this aligns with Numbeo’s February 2025 Buenos Aires data (Web ID: 0), adjusted for March. Assumes cooking most meals.
  • Utilities: $60–$100
    • Electricity, heating, water, garbage: ~$40–$70 for a small apartment (reduced subsidies push costs up in pesos, but USD stays low).
    • Internet (60 Mbps): ~$15–$25
    • Palermo’s modern buildings might have slightly higher utility rates than older areas (Web ID: 9).
  • Building Fees (Expensas): $50–$100
    • Common in apartments with shared amenities (e.g., doorman, elevator). Higher in Palermo’s newer or upscale complexes (e.g., Palermo Soho vs. Palermo Chico).
    • Estimated from local trends; could be $30–$50 for a basic building, $80–$100 for one with perks.
  • Transportation: $20–$40
    • Public transit (bus/subway): ~$0.30–$0.80/trip; ~$10–$20 for 30–60 trips
    • Occasional Uber (10-minute ride): ~$4–$5
    • Palermo’s walkability and transit access (e.g., Subte Line D) keep this low (Web ID: 9).
  • Dining Out/Entertainment: $100–$150
    • Inexpensive meal: ~$8–$12 (higher than city average due to Palermo’s trendy spots).
    • Mid-range restaurant (one person, two courses): ~$20–$30
    • Coffee: ~$2.50–$4 (Palermo cafes are pricier).
    • Movie ticket: ~$5–$10
    • Gym: ~$30–$60 (e.g., Megatlon in Palermo).
    • Assumes 2–3 outings weekly; Palermo’s nightlife and cafes bump costs slightly.
  • Miscellaneous: $50–$100
    • Toiletries, clothing, small extras: ~$50–$100
    • Reflects a modest but comfortable lifestyle.

• No Rent: Owning your apartment eliminates the $400–$700/month rental cost for a 1-bedroom in Palermo (per my prior 3-bedroom response, scaled down).
• No Insurance: Excludes the $80–$150/month private health insurance cost from my earlier single-person estimate. Public healthcare is free, though quality and wait times vary.
• Palermo Premium: Costs are ~10–20% higher than Buenos Aires averages due to Palermo’s desirability (e.g., groceries, dining reflect upscale options).
• Sources:
  • Numbeo (Web ID: 0): $657 without rent city-wide; Palermo leans toward the high end.
  • Buenos Aires Herald (Web ID: 9): Notes rising peso costs, but USD stability due to ~1,000:1 exchange rate.
  • Trends: Inflation (~50% in 2024) increases peso prices, but USD costs rise more slowly.

• Frugal: $600/month
  • Minimal dining out ($50), basic groceries ($250), low transport ($20), utilities + expensas ($80 + $50), misc ($50).
• Comfortable: $750/month
  • Regular dining ($150), fuller groceries ($300), some Uber ($40), utilities + expensas ($100 + $100), misc ($100).

• Monthly COL in Palermo (Single Person, Own Apartment, No Insurance): $600–$750 USD
  • Frugal: ~$600
  • Comfortable: ~$750
    This is notably lower than my prior $650–$700 estimate for Buenos Aires (without rent) due to excluding insurance, though Palermo’s higher baseline offsets some savings. You could live well in Palermo on $700–$800/month, leveraging its vibrant scene without rent or insurance burdens. Let me know if you want adjustments (e.g., luxury lifestyle, specific expenses)!

FuturoBA said:

I just asked Grok what's the estimated COL for a single person living in Palermo without needing private insurance and this was its response:

Cost of Living for a Single Person in Palermo (March 07, 2025)
This is a monthly estimate for a single person owning a modest apartment (e.g., 1–2 bedrooms, ~40–60 m²) in Palermo, without private health insurance. I’ll assume you rely on Argentina’s free public healthcare system and cover typical expenses for a moderate lifestyle.
Monthly COL Breakdown (Excluding Rent and Insurance)

• Total: $600–$750 USD/month
  • Groceries: $250–$300
    • Bread: ~$1.60/loaf
    • Milk: ~$1.50/liter
    • Eggs: ~$3/dozen
    • Pasta: ~$2/kg
    • Rice: ~$2/kg
    • Vegetables: ~$1.70/kg (e.g., tomatoes)
    • Steak: ~$13–$15/kg
    • Palermo’s supermarkets (e.g., Coto, Carrefour) may charge a slight premium over outer areas, but this aligns with Numbeo’s February 2025 Buenos Aires data (Web ID: 0), adjusted for March. Assumes cooking most meals.
  • Utilities: $60–$100
    • Electricity, heating, water, garbage: ~$40–$70 for a small apartment (reduced subsidies push costs up in pesos, but USD stays low).
    • Internet (60 Mbps): ~$15–$25
    • Palermo’s modern buildings might have slightly higher utility rates than older areas (Web ID: 9).
  • Building Fees (Expensas): $50–$100
    • Common in apartments with shared amenities (e.g., doorman, elevator). Higher in Palermo’s newer or upscale complexes (e.g., Palermo Soho vs. Palermo Chico).
    • Estimated from local trends; could be $30–$50 for a basic building, $80–$100 for one with perks.
  • Transportation: $20–$40
    • Public transit (bus/subway): ~$0.30–$0.80/trip; ~$10–$20 for 30–60 trips
    • Occasional Uber (10-minute ride): ~$4–$5
    • Palermo’s walkability and transit access (e.g., Subte Line D) keep this low (Web ID: 9).
  • Dining Out/Entertainment: $100–$150
    • Inexpensive meal: ~$8–$12 (higher than city average due to Palermo’s trendy spots).
    • Mid-range restaurant (one person, two courses): ~$20–$30
    • Coffee: ~$2.50–$4 (Palermo cafes are pricier).
    • Movie ticket: ~$5–$10
    • Gym: ~$30–$60 (e.g., Megatlon in Palermo).
    • Assumes 2–3 outings weekly; Palermo’s nightlife and cafes bump costs slightly.
  • Miscellaneous: $50–$100
    • Toiletries, clothing, small extras: ~$50–$100
    • Reflects a modest but comfortable lifestyle.

Key Assumptions and Context

• No Rent: Owning your apartment eliminates the $400–$700/month rental cost for a 1-bedroom in Palermo (per my prior 3-bedroom response, scaled down).
• No Insurance: Excludes the $80–$150/month private health insurance cost from my earlier single-person estimate. Public healthcare is free, though quality and wait times vary.
• Palermo Premium: Costs are ~10–20% higher than Buenos Aires averages due to Palermo’s desirability (e.g., groceries, dining reflect upscale options).
• Sources:
  • Numbeo (Web ID: 0): $657 without rent city-wide; Palermo leans toward the high end.
  • Buenos Aires Herald (Web ID: 9): Notes rising peso costs, but USD stability due to ~1,000:1 exchange rate.
  • Trends: Inflation (~50% in 2024) increases peso prices, but USD costs rise more slowly.

Example Scenarios

• Frugal: $600/month
  • Minimal dining out ($50), basic groceries ($250), low transport ($20), utilities + expensas ($80 + $50), misc ($50).
• Comfortable: $750/month
  • Regular dining ($150), fuller groceries ($300), some Uber ($40), utilities + expensas ($100 + $100), misc ($100).

Summary (March 07, 2025)

• Monthly COL in Palermo (Single Person, Own Apartment, No Insurance): $600–$750 USD
  • Frugal: ~$600
  • Comfortable: ~$750
    This is notably lower than my prior $650–$700 estimate for Buenos Aires (without rent) due to excluding insurance, though Palermo’s higher baseline offsets some savings. You could live well in Palermo on $700–$800/month, leveraging its vibrant scene without rent or insurance burdens. Let me know if you want adjustments (e.g., luxury lifestyle, specific expenses)!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The estimate doesn't appear to cover maintenance, taxes, travel and probably some more categories. But for the basics it looks reasonable

Click to expand...

JonJLA said:

But @Larry you keep saying that Buenos Aires is more expensive than the USA. Have you ever lived in the USA? I don't believe so based on your posts. Some things might be more than the USA but overall Buenos Aires is much cheaper than the USA. Rentals don't even come close. Rents are cheap in Buenos Aires for the typical local with lots of options in different price points.

I read that you bought a property a long time ago. Consider yourself fortunate that you own a place. That is really important to managing your costs. I own a smaller 1 bedroom apartment in Palermo Soho. It is in a building with many amenities and I pay a few hundred dollars a month. My utilities are still affordable. I don't understand where you expect to move where your cost basis is going to be lower than BA?

If you have a paid off place what is there to complain about? Try living within your means and not dining out so much. I admit food prices are not cheap in BA. Especially for quality products but if locals can get by cooking then you can too. From your posts you are accustomed to having a coffee out daily and going out to eat many times a week. If you cut back on those things what is there to complain about?

I have traveled all around Latin America and I am not sure you will do better if you have to pay a rent somewhere and still have expenses. I feel your pain but I don't think you will find it as cheap as you think in many areas when all is said and done.

Click to expand...

FuturoBA said:

I just asked Grok what's the estimated COL for a single person living in Palermo without needing private insurance and this was its response:

Cost of Living for a Single Person in Palermo (March 07, 2025)
This is a monthly estimate for a single person owning a modest apartment (e.g., 1–2 bedrooms, ~40–60 m²) in Palermo, without private health insurance. I’ll assume you rely on Argentina’s free public healthcare system and cover typical expenses for a moderate lifestyle.
Monthly COL Breakdown (Excluding Rent and Insurance)

• Total: $600–$750 USD/month
  • Groceries: $250–$300
    • Bread: ~$1.60/loaf
    • Milk: ~$1.50/liter
    • Eggs: ~$3/dozen
    • Pasta: ~$2/kg
    • Rice: ~$2/kg
    • Vegetables: ~$1.70/kg (e.g., tomatoes)
    • Steak: ~$13–$15/kg
    • Palermo’s supermarkets (e.g., Coto, Carrefour) may charge a slight premium over outer areas, but this aligns with Numbeo’s February 2025 Buenos Aires data (Web ID: 0), adjusted for March. Assumes cooking most meals.
  • Utilities: $60–$100
    • Electricity, heating, water, garbage: ~$40–$70 for a small apartment (reduced subsidies push costs up in pesos, but USD stays low).
    • Internet (60 Mbps): ~$15–$25
    • Palermo’s modern buildings might have slightly higher utility rates than older areas (Web ID: 9).
  • Building Fees (Expensas): $50–$100
    • Common in apartments with shared amenities (e.g., doorman, elevator). Higher in Palermo’s newer or upscale complexes (e.g., Palermo Soho vs. Palermo Chico).
    • Estimated from local trends; could be $30–$50 for a basic building, $80–$100 for one with perks.
  • Transportation: $20–$40
    • Public transit (bus/subway): ~$0.30–$0.80/trip; ~$10–$20 for 30–60 trips
    • Occasional Uber (10-minute ride): ~$4–$5
    • Palermo’s walkability and transit access (e.g., Subte Line D) keep this low (Web ID: 9).
  • Dining Out/Entertainment: $100–$150
    • Inexpensive meal: ~$8–$12 (higher than city average due to Palermo’s trendy spots).
    • Mid-range restaurant (one person, two courses): ~$20–$30
    • Coffee: ~$2.50–$4 (Palermo cafes are pricier).
    • Movie ticket: ~$5–$10
    • Gym: ~$30–$60 (e.g., Megatlon in Palermo).
    • Assumes 2–3 outings weekly; Palermo’s nightlife and cafes bump costs slightly.
  • Miscellaneous: $50–$100
    • Toiletries, clothing, small extras: ~$50–$100
    • Reflects a modest but comfortable lifestyle.

Key Assumptions and Context

• No Rent: Owning your apartment eliminates the $400–$700/month rental cost for a 1-bedroom in Palermo (per my prior 3-bedroom response, scaled down).
• No Insurance: Excludes the $80–$150/month private health insurance cost from my earlier single-person estimate. Public healthcare is free, though quality and wait times vary.
• Palermo Premium: Costs are ~10–20% higher than Buenos Aires averages due to Palermo’s desirability (e.g., groceries, dining reflect upscale options).
• Sources:
  • Numbeo (Web ID: 0): $657 without rent city-wide; Palermo leans toward the high end.
  • Buenos Aires Herald (Web ID: 9): Notes rising peso costs, but USD stability due to ~1,000:1 exchange rate.
  • Trends: Inflation (~50% in 2024) increases peso prices, but USD costs rise more slowly.

Example Scenarios

• Frugal: $600/month
  • Minimal dining out ($50), basic groceries ($250), low transport ($20), utilities + expensas ($80 + $50), misc ($50).
• Comfortable: $750/month
  • Regular dining ($150), fuller groceries ($300), some Uber ($40), utilities + expensas ($100 + $100), misc ($100).

Summary (March 07, 2025)

• Monthly COL in Palermo (Single Person, Own Apartment, No Insurance): $600–$750 USD
  • Frugal: ~$600
  • Comfortable: ~$750
    This is notably lower than my prior $650–$700 estimate for Buenos Aires (without rent) due to excluding insurance, though Palermo’s higher baseline offsets some savings. You could live well in Palermo on $700–$800/month, leveraging its vibrant scene without rent or insurance burdens. Let me know if you want adjustments (e.g., luxury lifestyle, specific expenses)!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The estimate doesn't appear to cover maintenance, taxes, travel and probably some more categories. But for the basics it looks reasonable

Click to expand...

FuturoBA said:

I just asked Grok what's the estimated COL for a single person living in Palermo without needing private insurance and this was its response:

Cost of Living for a Single Person in Palermo (March 07, 2025)
This is a monthly estimate for a single person owning a modest apartment (e.g., 1–2 bedrooms, ~40–60 m²) in Palermo, without private health insurance. I’ll assume you rely on Argentina’s free public healthcare system and cover typical expenses for a moderate lifestyle.
Monthly COL Breakdown (Excluding Rent and Insurance)

• Total: $600–$750 USD/month
  • Groceries: $250–$300
    • Bread: ~$1.60/loaf
    • Milk: ~$1.50/liter
    • Eggs: ~$3/dozen
    • Pasta: ~$2/kg
    • Rice: ~$2/kg
    • Vegetables: ~$1.70/kg (e.g., tomatoes)
    • Steak: ~$13–$15/kg
    • Palermo’s supermarkets (e.g., Coto, Carrefour) may charge a slight premium over outer areas, but this aligns with Numbeo’s February 2025 Buenos Aires data (Web ID: 0), adjusted for March. Assumes cooking most meals.
  • Utilities: $60–$100
    • Electricity, heating, water, garbage: ~$40–$70 for a small apartment (reduced subsidies push costs up in pesos, but USD stays low).
    • Internet (60 Mbps): ~$15–$25
    • Palermo’s modern buildings might have slightly higher utility rates than older areas (Web ID: 9).
  • Building Fees (Expensas): $50–$100
    • Common in apartments with shared amenities (e.g., doorman, elevator). Higher in Palermo’s newer or upscale complexes (e.g., Palermo Soho vs. Palermo Chico).
    • Estimated from local trends; could be $30–$50 for a basic building, $80–$100 for one with perks.
  • Transportation: $20–$40
    • Public transit (bus/subway): ~$0.30–$0.80/trip; ~$10–$20 for 30–60 trips
    • Occasional Uber (10-minute ride): ~$4–$5
    • Palermo’s walkability and transit access (e.g., Subte Line D) keep this low (Web ID: 9).
  • Dining Out/Entertainment: $100–$150
    • Inexpensive meal: ~$8–$12 (higher than city average due to Palermo’s trendy spots).
    • Mid-range restaurant (one person, two courses): ~$20–$30
    • Coffee: ~$2.50–$4 (Palermo cafes are pricier).
    • Movie ticket: ~$5–$10
    • Gym: ~$30–$60 (e.g., Megatlon in Palermo).
    • Assumes 2–3 outings weekly; Palermo’s nightlife and cafes bump costs slightly.
  • Miscellaneous: $50–$100
    • Toiletries, clothing, small extras: ~$50–$100
    • Reflects a modest but comfortable lifestyle.

Key Assumptions and Context

• No Rent: Owning your apartment eliminates the $400–$700/month rental cost for a 1-bedroom in Palermo (per my prior 3-bedroom response, scaled down).
• No Insurance: Excludes the $80–$150/month private health insurance cost from my earlier single-person estimate. Public healthcare is free, though quality and wait times vary.
• Palermo Premium: Costs are ~10–20% higher than Buenos Aires averages due to Palermo’s desirability (e.g., groceries, dining reflect upscale options).
• Sources:
  • Numbeo (Web ID: 0): $657 without rent city-wide; Palermo leans toward the high end.
  • Buenos Aires Herald (Web ID: 9): Notes rising peso costs, but USD stability due to ~1,000:1 exchange rate.
  • Trends: Inflation (~50% in 2024) increases peso prices, but USD costs rise more slowly.

Example Scenarios

• Frugal: $600/month
  • Minimal dining out ($50), basic groceries ($250), low transport ($20), utilities + expensas ($80 + $50), misc ($50).
• Comfortable: $750/month
  • Regular dining ($150), fuller groceries ($300), some Uber ($40), utilities + expensas ($100 + $100), misc ($100).

Summary (March 07, 2025)

• Monthly COL in Palermo (Single Person, Own Apartment, No Insurance): $600–$750 USD
  • Frugal: ~$600
  • Comfortable: ~$750
    This is notably lower than my prior $650–$700 estimate for Buenos Aires (without rent) due to excluding insurance, though Palermo’s higher baseline offsets some savings. You could live well in Palermo on $700–$800/month, leveraging its vibrant scene without rent or insurance burdens. Let me know if you want adjustments (e.g., luxury lifestyle, specific expenses)!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The estimate doesn't appear to cover maintenance, taxes, travel and probably some more categories. But for the basics it looks reasonable

Click to expand...

Stan said:

Agree with your assessment the key is having a paid off place. You may want to add in home insurance. I did not think about that but a friend here recently had a pipe break above him and it flooded his property. The guy above refuses to pay and says it is the building's fault. The building refuses to pay saying it is the tenants pipe that broke. No one is paying but he spent considering money replacing his ceiling, lights, flooring got ruined so you may want to factor in insurance. I am not sure what that costs if anyone can answer that. I asked some local friends and it is crazy but most here don't seem to get any insurance.

Click to expand...

FuturoBA said:

I just asked Grok what's the estimated COL for a single person living in Palermo without needing private insurance and this was its response:

Cost of Living for a Single Person in Palermo (March 07, 2025)
This is a monthly estimate for a single person owning a modest apartment (e.g., 1–2 bedrooms, ~40–60 m²) in Palermo, without private health insurance. I’ll assume you rely on Argentina’s free public healthcare system and cover typical expenses for a moderate lifestyle.
Monthly COL Breakdown (Excluding Rent and Insurance)

• Total: $600–$750 USD/month
  • Groceries: $250–$300
    • Bread: ~$1.60/loaf
    • Milk: ~$1.50/liter
    • Eggs: ~$3/dozen
    • Pasta: ~$2/kg
    • Rice: ~$2/kg
    • Vegetables: ~$1.70/kg (e.g., tomatoes)
    • Steak: ~$13–$15/kg
    • Palermo’s supermarkets (e.g., Coto, Carrefour) may charge a slight premium over outer areas, but this aligns with Numbeo’s February 2025 Buenos Aires data (Web ID: 0), adjusted for March. Assumes cooking most meals.
  • Utilities: $60–$100
    • Electricity, heating, water, garbage: ~$40–$70 for a small apartment (reduced subsidies push costs up in pesos, but USD stays low).
    • Internet (60 Mbps): ~$15–$25
    • Palermo’s modern buildings might have slightly higher utility rates than older areas (Web ID: 9).
  • Building Fees (Expensas): $50–$100
    • Common in apartments with shared amenities (e.g., doorman, elevator). Higher in Palermo’s newer or upscale complexes (e.g., Palermo Soho vs. Palermo Chico).
    • Estimated from local trends; could be $30–$50 for a basic building, $80–$100 for one with perks.
  • Transportation: $20–$40
    • Public transit (bus/subway): ~$0.30–$0.80/trip; ~$10–$20 for 30–60 trips
    • Occasional Uber (10-minute ride): ~$4–$5
    • Palermo’s walkability and transit access (e.g., Subte Line D) keep this low (Web ID: 9).
  • Dining Out/Entertainment: $100–$150
    • Inexpensive meal: ~$8–$12 (higher than city average due to Palermo’s trendy spots).
    • Mid-range restaurant (one person, two courses): ~$20–$30
    • Coffee: ~$2.50–$4 (Palermo cafes are pricier).
    • Movie ticket: ~$5–$10
    • Gym: ~$30–$60 (e.g., Megatlon in Palermo).
    • Assumes 2–3 outings weekly; Palermo’s nightlife and cafes bump costs slightly.
  • Miscellaneous: $50–$100
    • Toiletries, clothing, small extras: ~$50–$100
    • Reflects a modest but comfortable lifestyle.

Key Assumptions and Context

• No Rent: Owning your apartment eliminates the $400–$700/month rental cost for a 1-bedroom in Palermo (per my prior 3-bedroom response, scaled down).
• No Insurance: Excludes the $80–$150/month private health insurance cost from my earlier single-person estimate. Public healthcare is free, though quality and wait times vary.
• Palermo Premium: Costs are ~10–20% higher than Buenos Aires averages due to Palermo’s desirability (e.g., groceries, dining reflect upscale options).
• Sources:
  • Numbeo (Web ID: 0): $657 without rent city-wide; Palermo leans toward the high end.
  • Buenos Aires Herald (Web ID: 9): Notes rising peso costs, but USD stability due to ~1,000:1 exchange rate.
  • Trends: Inflation (~50% in 2024) increases peso prices, but USD costs rise more slowly.

Example Scenarios

• Frugal: $600/month
  • Minimal dining out ($50), basic groceries ($250), low transport ($20), utilities + expensas ($80 + $50), misc ($50).
• Comfortable: $750/month
  • Regular dining ($150), fuller groceries ($300), some Uber ($40), utilities + expensas ($100 + $100), misc ($100).

Summary (March 07, 2025)

• Monthly COL in Palermo (Single Person, Own Apartment, No Insurance): $600–$750 USD
  • Frugal: ~$600
  • Comfortable: ~$750
    This is notably lower than my prior $650–$700 estimate for Buenos Aires (without rent) due to excluding insurance, though Palermo’s higher baseline offsets some savings. You could live well in Palermo on $700–$800/month, leveraging its vibrant scene without rent or insurance burdens. Let me know if you want adjustments (e.g., luxury lifestyle, specific expenses)!

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The estimate doesn't appear to cover maintenance, taxes, travel and probably some more categories. But for the basics it looks reasonable

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Larry said:

It's not fun to look at when you're paying those very dear prices. I just don't understand how people believe this is a normal situation?

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Stan said:

That looks really light @FuturoBA because there are probably more expenses you are leaving out. You sound like you can live a frugal life but many expats can't live like that. Things here are surprisingly expensive like good quality toilet paper, paper towels, some fresh fruits and other grocery store items. Some things are much cheaper than home like beef, pork, chicken but other times I have spent not too much less than at home.

Agree with your assessment the key is having a paid off place. You may want to add in home insurance. I did not think about that but a friend here recently had a pipe break above him and it flooded his property. The guy above refuses to pay and says it is the building's fault. The building refuses to pay saying it is the tenants pipe that broke. No one is paying but he spent considering money replacing his ceiling, lights, flooring got ruined so you may want to factor in insurance. I am not sure what that costs if anyone can answer that. I asked some local friends and it is crazy but most here don't seem to get any insurance.

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Uncle Wong said:

I think people saying this haven't lived in the United States before or it's been a while since they have lived here. Costs have really gone up. And with what Trump is doing, something tells me inflation is going to surge! Tariffs will only make prices higher for consumers. So we could be in for some major inflation.

I already figured out no matter where I retire to, it has to be a place I can afford to buy a property in. Even if rent is affordable today that doesn't mean that will be the case 5 to 10 years from now. I don't want to get stuck at the whims of a landlord or what prices of real estate or rentals might be when I'm older. I can afford an apartment in Buenos Aires now so I try if I move there. I'm still not convinced I will definitely move there.

Already since I started looking 1.5 years ago prices on real estate have gone up a good clip. In some new construction properties I am surprised how much they have gone up. I don't want to get stuck moving around every year or 2 and want my own place.


I think rent is most people's budget. I ask my local friends how much I need to be making to live a comfortable life in BA as a single guy. They tell me if I own my own place probably $1,700 or so. I see salaries going up so that means prices probably will. I see while inflation has slowed it is still going up about 3% a month. I wonder if it will slow down less than that? 36% a year inflation is still scary on a fixed income.

I probably will want to get medical insurance. I am not sure how much that runs now. I heard it has gotten more expensive. And foreigners I don't think can get free coverage at hospitals anymore. My only concern is if I were to get really sick or major medical issue. I don't know enough about public hospitals there.

I don't think I agree that only $750 will give you a comfortable life in Palermo even accounting for owning a place. Some of the studios I have seen in Palermo are charging about $150/month in condo fees. I am not sure what homeowner's insurance runs but that is a good point it is probably a good idea.

@earlyretirement posted a detailed list of expenses. There were a lot of good expenses I didn't think about. I have a few credit cards that have annual fees that I would want to keep. I'm not sure if I would keep my US cellphone number or not. Prices sound like they have jumped up at nice places. Even when I was there several spots the food wasn't super cheap in restaurants.

I don't know anywhere in the States you could live for anywhere near what you would spend in BA having a paid off place. Property tax I read is about 1% per year in Argentina. Did you count that in your budget @FuturoBA? I also was told that you have to hire an accountant to prepare your property tax.

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earlyretirement said:

Definitely the costs to live in Buenos Aires are MUCH less if you don't have to worry about having kids. Kids definitely add a huge amount to the total budget due to medical insurance and private schools. Also, for single guys you have to ask yourself if you ever will get married in the future or have kids as that will make a huge difference to future budget.

Also, healthcare costs are going up. I'm not sure I would want to depend on the public healthcare system. I've heard some horror stories of people having to wait hours and hours for procedures. Everyone always thinks best case scenario with their health but I think it's better to assume worst case scenarios when trying to plan for the future. I wouldn't want to count on Argentina's public healthcare system or plan that it will always be the same. Obviously, if you definitely can't afford medical coverage but I can tell you that your health can quickly change even if you're healthy now.

In my experience, people always underestimate what they will spend vs. overestimate. I listed all of these expenses on another post. Obviously, most people won't own a car in BA and shouldn't own a car here. But I included it below in case you will have a car.

-Rent (if you don't own your property)
- Property taxes if you own
- Maid or Housekeeper or cleaner
-Phone (Land line and Cell phone)
- Utilities (gas, water, electricity, cable, internet, etc)
- HOA fees/expensas each month
- Maintenance and repairs (if you own a property)
- Car payments
- Car insurance
- Auto Fuel each month for each car
- Registration fees for your car each year
- Maintenance on your car to include car washes and oil changes
-Parking (various times when you're out and about plus if you don't have a garage in your apartment and have to rent one)
- Home/rental insurance for your property
- Life insurance
- Health insurance premiums
- Dental insurance premiums
- Medical/Dental expenses (what insurance won't cover)
- Prescription medications
- School expenses for kids if applicable (tuition, stuff for school, ballet classes, etc)
- Babysitter expenses
- Annual fee for Credit Cards
- Clothes for kids and yourself
- Toys for kids
- Dry Cleaning/ Laundry mat
- Health club / gym
- Taxi/Uber fares which are inevitable.
- Beauty (hair salon for hair cuts, color, nails, make up, etc)
- Extracurricular activities dues/fees
- Entertainment (movies, theatre, plays, Zoo, concerts, sporting events, etc --)
- Magazine/newspaper/Ipad subscriptions
- Dining out at restaurants
- Grocery budget
- Retirement savings contributions
- Kids college fund savings contributions
- Charity/donations
- Travel / vacation expenses
- Federal/State/local income taxes
- Any revolving debt payments you might have
- Bad habit type stuff (alcohol, smoking, etc)
- Emergency savings fund for any major health issues
- Non reimbursed office/work expenses and supplies

Also, life is much different married and with kids but even as a single guy I spent quite a bit of money going on dates with girls. If you plan on having any social life in Buenos Aires it will involve going out on dates, meeting up with friends socially and locals are big on going to cafes and out to dinner. I would get invited in BA to an asado almost every weekend and just things like buying a nice bottle of wine or two each time I sent to one and going on dates added up.

You can definitely live a frugal life in Buenos Aires but even still you will end up going out to eat or meeting up with friends. Things add up. You might want a maid to clean once in a while. Or even adding in laundry fees if you don't have a washing machine/dryer. Laundry mat fees have gone up significantly. For the 2-bedroom apartments that I own for rentals, It's up to 21,000 pesos to launder all the sheets, blankets, towels, pillow cases for a 2-bedroom unit. I have a washing machine in my unit but often times I have high turnover of guests and the maid won't have time to clean them in the machine as it takes too long. So you have to account for things like this in your budget as well. Prices aren't nearly as cheap as they once were.

I spend quite a bit of money on Ubers when I'm in town and even when I lived there because I was constantly in meetings all over town. I'm not a public transport kind of guy but if you're on a budget you would just do that. Buenos Aires is a great walking city so if you have time you can do that. Even though Uber/taxis are cheaper than the US you can definitely spend a lot on them.


Definitely the biggest risk of damage to your property is water damage. Since construction is all concrete and bricks, things like fires are rare there. I've purchased over 1,000 properties in BA over the past 23 years and never ever had a fire in one of them. I know they can happen but they are rare. On the other hand, I have had water leaks in several properties including 2 that I owned. Don't count on the legal system if you try to sue someone. Takes forever and just doesn't work. Many people don't end up getting insurance. Insurance costs have really gone up over the past 2 years. I just got a quote for a client who purchased an apartment in Palermo Soho last year. It was more as he was renting it out via Airbnb as well and was honest about that with the insurance company but you can see the quarterly quote below in pesos.

Typically if there is a water leak they try to determine if it was caused by the building or an owner. In all the years I have been buying and managing units for other owners, only 2 got broken into. The biggest risk is water damage. I would probably say even with a lower end budget it would be a good idea to have at least $1,500 dollars a month to be safe assuming you own your own place if you wanted any type of social life at all.

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Larry said:

If you really think you are only going to spend $600 a month living in Palermo you're crazy! That is not going to happen! A paid off place or not you aren't going to get by on that. You better get more realistic.

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CraigM said:

My know-nothing-outsider guess is that there is an unusually high cost to doing business in Argentina. I don't know McDonald's business model that well but my sense is they operate a bit like Costco, adding enough margin to be profitable but the real goal is attracting high volumes of customers and lowering costs through scale; I doubt they are gouging customers, even in places where they could. Different than Coke which does charge higher margins overseas and retailers/distributors can charge what they want, governments tax it differently.

So if a Big Mac is a lot more expensive in Argentina it's probably because of the unique challenges of operating a business there. But you would know better than me.

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FuturoBA said:

Totally agree with kids or a social life that adds up. This was more an exercise on much would be needed for the essentials. Every situation is different but a general guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule where 50% goes to essential, 30% for discretion, and 20% for savings/debt. How applicable that is depends on your situation and goals.

Maybe one of the reasons the biggest complaints on rising costs are about coffee, food, and restaurants is that they're so tied to the social aspect here in Argentina. This seems to be such an important part of the culture here that many would rather continue on and be broke then cut back and save. In the states, sure some are also like that especially the young, but I know plenty that have cut back and focused on saving/retirement at the expense of their social life.

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CraigM said:

My know-nothing-outsider guess is that there is an unusually high cost to doing business in Argentina. I don't know McDonald's business model that well but my sense is they operate a bit like Costco, adding enough margin to be profitable but the real goal is attracting high volumes of customers and lowering costs through scale; I doubt they are gouging customers, even in places where they could. Different than Coke which does charge higher margins overseas and retailers/distributors can charge what they want, governments tax it differently.

So if a Big Mac is a lot more expensive in Argentina it's probably because of the unique challenges of operating a business there. But you would know better than me.

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FuturoBA said:

Maybe one of the reasons the biggest complaints on rising costs are about coffee, food, and restaurants is that they're so tied to the social aspect here in Argentina. This seems to be such an important part of the culture here that many would rather continue on and be broke then cut back and save. In the states, sure some are also like that especially the young, but I know plenty that have cut back and focused on saving/retirement at the expense of their social life.

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LyellLanatone said:

Look up Don Gorske dude eats 2 big macs a day for decades, currently up to 35 000. He's in good health. Two big macs are like 1200 calories and a mildly active 220 pound man requires around 2500 calories a day to maintain weight so he's all good.

The sad thing is I always wonder if he were from Argentina how could he afford this obsession. It's sick how much fast food costs here. Makes me sad

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FuturoBA said:

Agree that, this estimate is light and leaves out many unexpected expenses and probably underestimated some as well. Obviously, you'd want to have more than the basics for emergencies, savings, travel, entertainment etc.

IIRC someone mentioned home insurance here wasn't too expensive and don't know the accuracy of it, but again checked w Grok estimates it to be between $300-600 annually.

Yeah it goes back to how bare bone lifestyle you want to live. In the states removing PITI (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance) on housing I'm spending about $1.5-2k on average and that's including owning a car which I wouldn't in BA. Still I think you might be right that $1.7k might more advisable esp if your looking to also add to savings/retirement or an emergency fund.

Totally agree with kids or a social life that adds up. This was more an exercise on much would be needed for the essentials. Every situation is different but a general guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule where 50% goes to essential, 30% for discretion, and 20% for savings/debt. How applicable that is depends on your situation and goals.

Maybe one of the reasons the biggest complaints on rising costs are about coffee, food, and restaurants is that they're so tied to the social aspect here in Argentina. This seems to be such an important part of the culture here that many would rather continue on and be broke then cut back and save. In the states, sure some are also like that especially the young, but I know plenty that have cut back and focused on saving/retirement at the expense of their social life.

You can do it too Larry if you cut back on your $7 daily coffees. Already $210 saved for the month 😉

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