Money, Jobs and Technology

Cost of Living in Buenos Aires

Rex Racer

By | January 6, 2011

 

Updated*: Cost of living in Buenos Aires, January 2014

Everyone travels differently, from spending without care on some gifts, meals, and random purchases to tightening up on others. Below is a list of average prices in Capital Federal, Buenos Aires (Recoleta, Palermo, Belgrano, Centro, Puerto Madero, Almagro, Villa Crespo). You will find prices that are much higher and a bit less than these listed depending on quality, location, etc. This should give you a rough idea of what’s happening here price-wise!

January 2011, Current exchange rate $1 USD = $4 ARS
Inflation (Unofficial, but more realistic is about 20-25% per year)

How Much is Transportation

Taxi $5.80 ARS
Taxi click of the meter $0.58 ARS
Buses, Inside Capital Federal $1.10, $1.20, $1.25 ARS
Subway $1.10 ARS
Trains $0.80+ ARS Depending on Distance
Remis/Taxi to EZE from Palermo $160 ARS

*Hot Tip: Taxis are generally driven by honest fellows. Tipping is not expected, but is a kind gesture when small change is involved to let them keep it 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 is it to go out? (Restaurants, Bars, Clubs)

Average coffee (cortado, expresso) $8 ARS
Cocktail $22 ARS
Large Pizza $45 ARS
Liter of Beer $27 ARS
Meal for 2 $85 ARS
Club Entry $35 ARS

*Insider’s Tips:
-Restaurants encourage a 10% tip ratio, but it is not required and loosely followed at lunch.
-Bartenders typically do not get tipped, but tipping’s a good way to speed up service the next round. Exception: Andy Jackson at The Spot Bar in Recoleta, Ayacucho 1261. Please tip heavily…he’s a gentleman and a scholar.

How Much are Groceries?

2 Liter Mineral Water $5 ARS
Pack of Cigarettes $6 ARS
500 ml Bottle of Coke $6 ARS
1 Kilo of Bife de Chorizo $50 ARS
Bag – o – Milk $4.50 ARS
Liter of Beer $7 ARS
4 Pack of Toilet Paper $10 ARS
3 Pack of Condoms $7.50 ARS
100 Grams of Ham $6 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.

For more examples of the cost of living in Buenos Aires

Wow! Don't forget to check the 'Activities you might like' right here