Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
Both cities are about equally easy to travel. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
| Item | Bariloche | El Calafate | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | AR$ 25,000$17.9 | AR$ 18,000$12.9 | El Calafate โ28% |
| Street food1 item | AR$ 8,000$5.71 | AR$ 5,000$3.57 | El Calafate โ38% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | AR$ 45,000$32.1 | AR$ 40,000$28.6 | El Calafate โ11% |
| Coffeeone cup | AR$ 6,000$4.29 | AR$ 6,000$4.29 | similar |
| Beerone bottle | AR$ 5,500$3.93 | AR$ 6,000$4.29 | Bariloche โ8% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | AR$ 10,000$7.14 | AR$ 9,000$6.43 | El Calafate โ10% |
| Bottled water | AR$ 1,500$1.07 | AR$ 1,500$1.07 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | AR$ 2,200$1.57 | AR$ 2,000$1.43 | El Calafate โ9% |
| Taxi5 km in town | AR$ 10,000$7.14 | AR$ 5,500$3.93 | El Calafate โ45% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | AR$ 5,500$3.93 | AR$ 3,500$2.5 | El Calafate โ36% |
| Transitone ride | AR$ 2,000$1.43 | AR$ 1,500$1.07 | El Calafate โ25% |
| Scooter rentalper day | AR$ 35,000$25 | AR$ 45,000$32.1 | Bariloche โ22% |
| Hotel night3-star | AR$ 130,000$92.9 | AR$ 90,000$64.3 | El Calafate โ31% |
| Studio rent (month) | AR$ 600,000$429 | AR$ 650,000$464 | Bariloche โ8% |
| Laundry | AR$ 12,000$8.57 | AR$ 10,000$7.14 | El Calafate โ17% |
| SIM card1 week data | AR$ 8,000$5.71 | AR$ 10,000$7.14 | Bariloche โ20% |
| Haircutcut | AR$ 18,000$12.9 | AR$ 12,000$8.57 | El Calafate โ33% |
| Massage1 hour | AR$ 50,000$35.7 | AR$ 45,000$32.1 | El Calafate โ10% |
| Half-day tourper person | AR$ 40,000$28.6 | AR$ 78,000$55.7 | Bariloche โ49% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | AR$ 22,000$15.7 | AR$ 50,000$35.7 | Bariloche โ56% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
El Calafate is 18% cheaper than Bariloche. Daily budget $207 vs $152; a month $2,943 vs $2,641.
About the same: Bariloche 2.4/5, El Calafate 2.4/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
With a short-term studio and living costs, Bariloche is about $2,943 and El Calafate about $2,641 per month.
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.