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Argentina Cost of Living 2026
๐ฆ๐ท 5 cities in Argentina, sorted by daily travel budget. Not the exchange rate โ how cheap it feels on your own income, and where a price becomes a rip-off. Updated October 2026
Cities in Argentina compared
| City | Per day | Per month | Local meal | Coffee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ๐ฆ๐ท El CalafateTourist ยท small town | $152 | $2,641 | AR$18,000 | AR$6,000 |
| ๐ฆ๐ท MendozaTourist ยท mid-size | $154 | $2,080 | AR$16,000 | AR$6,000 |
| ๐ฆ๐ท Buenos AiresBig city | $168 | $2,414 | AR$15,000 | AR$5,000 |
| ๐ฆ๐ท UshuaiaTourist ยท small town | $192 | $2,553 | AR$20,000 | AR$7,000 |
| ๐ฆ๐ท BarilocheResort ยท mid-size | $207 | $2,943 | AR$25,000 | AR$6,000 |
Per day = one mid-range night + three meals, a coffee and two taxi rides. Open a city for item-by-item prices, rip-off thresholds and live traveler reports.
Everyday prices in Argentina
| City | Beer | 5 km taxi | Hotel night | Massage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ๐ฆ๐ท El Calafate | AR$6,000 | AR$5,500 | AR$90,000 | AR$45,000 |
| ๐ฆ๐ท Mendoza | AR$4,000 | AR$6,500 | AR$110,000 | AR$40,000 |
| ๐ฆ๐ท Buenos Aires | AR$7,000 | AR$8,500 | AR$120,000 | AR$40,000 |
| ๐ฆ๐ท Ushuaia | AR$5,000 | AR$7,600 | AR$140,000 | AR$45,000 |
| ๐ฆ๐ท Bariloche | AR$5,500 | AR$10,000 | AR$130,000 | AR$50,000 |
Argentina vs nearby countries
| Country | Per day | Per month | vs Argentina |
|---|---|---|---|
| ๐ฌ๐น Guatemala | $142 | $2,871 | -18% |
| ๐ฉ๐ด Dominican Republic | $150 | $3,437 | -14% |
| ๐ต๐ฆ Panama | $156 | $3,640 | -11% |
| ๐ฒ๐ฝ Mexico | $157 | $2,830 | -10% |
| ๐จ๐ท Costa Rica | $174 | $3,168 | 0% |
| ๐ฆ๐ท Argentina | $175 | $2,526 | this country |
| ๐จ๐ฑ Chile | $176 | $2,653 | +1% |
| ๐บ๐พ Uruguay | $192 | $3,217 | +10% |
Countries in the same region with a similar daily travel budget. Tap a country for its city-by-city prices.
Buenos Aires vs New York: item by item
| Item | Buenos Aires | New York | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local meal | AR$15,000โ $10.7 | $20 | -46% |
| Coffee | AR$5,000โ $3.57 | $6 | -40% |
| Beer | AR$7,000โ $5 | $9 | -44% |
| 5 km taxi | AR$8,500โ $6.07 | $23 | -74% |
| Hotel night | AR$120,000โ $85.7 | $270 | -68% |
| 1-bed rent | AR$700,000โ $500 | $3,300 | -85% |
Same purchase in both cities, converted to US dollars. Daily travel budget: Buenos Aires $168 vs New York $467 โ about 64% cheaper.
Compare Argentina with other cities
Money tips for Argentina
Paying
Cards work, but some places discount cash; ask the price by payment method.
Tipping
About 10% at restaurants.
Menu prices
Prices include tax; some restaurants add a table charge (cubierto).
Getting around
In Buenos Aires ride the Subte and buses with a SUBE card.
Haggling
No haggling outside markets.
Water
Buenos Aires tap water is drinkable.
Common rip-offs
Street money changers and fake notes. Prices move fast, so check recent ones.
Argentina travel difficulty
| City | Overall | Rip-offs | Language | Transport | Payments | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bariloche | Moderate 2.4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Buenos Aires | Moderate 2.4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| El Calafate | Moderate 2.4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Ushuaia | Moderate 2.4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Mendoza | Moderate 2.6 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
Rip-offs, language, getting around, payments and safety, 1โ5 (closer to 1 is easier). Tap a city for reasons and tips. Full difficulty ranking โบ
City guides
FAQ
How much is a daily travel budget in Argentina?
With a mid-range room, between $152 and $207 a day depending on the city โ about $175 on average. Hostels and local eateries cut that by 30% or more.
How much does a month in Argentina cost?
Short-term rental plus living costs runs $2,641โ$2,943 by city, about $2,526 on average.
Which city in Argentina is cheapest?
By daily budget, El Calafate ($152/day) is the cheapest and Bariloche ($207/day) the most expensive.
Which nearby country is cheaper than Argentina?
Among countries in the same region with similar budgets, Guatemala runs about $142 a day โ 18% less than Argentina (about $175).
Is Argentina cheaper than New York?
In Buenos Aires, a traveler's day runs about $168 versus $467 in New York โ roughly 64% cheaper. The gap differs by item, so meals, coffee, taxis and hotels are listed separately above.