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
