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Cost of Living in Buenos Aires, Oct. 2011

Meagean Dugger

By | October 14, 2011

standard of living in argentina

Ten months have passed since the last Cost of Living article, and for Buenos Aires, that’s ample time for inflation to rock our world. Costs are constantly on the rise, but good deals can still be found throughout the city. Here’s a list of average prices in Capital Federal, Buenos Aires (Palermo, Belgrano, Centro, Recoleta, Puerto Madero).

October 2011, Current exchange rate $1 USD = $4.25 ARS

Unofficial inflation per year is about 20-25% per year

How Much is Transportation

Taxi Day $5.80 ARS
Taxi Night $6.90 ARS
Taxi click of the meter $0.58 ARS or $0.69 ARS at night
Subway $1.10 ARS
Trains $0.80+ ARS Depending on Distance
Remis/Taxi to EZE from Palermo $200 ARS

*Hot Tip: Taxis are generally driven by honest fellows, but be aware of any of the more common taxi tricks. Tipping is not expected, but most let the cab driver keep the coin change for simplicity’s sake. Coin shortages are common in Argentina. -Don’t try to pay with a 100 unless you have to or the ride costs more than 30 or 40 pesos.

How much to go out? (Restaurants, Bars, Clubs)

Coffee (cortado, expresso) $12 ARS
Cocktail $30 ARS
Large Pizza $50 ARS
Liter of Beer $33 ARS
Meal for 2 $140 ARS
Club Entry – Guy $75 ARS
Club Entry – Girl $50 ARS – see tips below

*Insider’s Tips:
-At peak hours between 2:30 and 3:30 am, entry is most expensive. Also, clubs have a tendency to let ladies in for free to ensure a good male-to-female ratio. Basically, the pretty girls keep the cash flowing.
-Restaurants encourage a 10% tip, but it is not required and loosely followed at lunch.
-Bartenders typically do not get tipped, but tipping is a good way to speed up service the next round.

How Much are Groceries?

2 Liter Mineral Water $5 ARS
Pack of Cigarettes $7 ARS
500 ml Bottle of Coke $6 ARS
1 Kilo of Bife de Chorizo $45 ARS
Bag – o – Milk $4.50 ARS
Liter of Beer $7 ARS
4 Pack of Toilet Paper $12 ARS
3 Pack of Condoms $7.50 ARS
100 Grams of Ham $8 ARS
Carton of OJ $7 ARS

*Insider’s Tip:
-“El Chino”, the smaller grocery stores (have a tendency to be owned by folks of Asian decent) generally have lower prices than the larger supermarkets.
-For food/spice variety and international products, check out Barrio Chino and Jumbo

Meagean Dugger
LandingPadBA Staff

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