Cost Of Living For a Student in Buenos Aires 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: ARS
Average monthly spending for students in Buenos Aires
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Buenos Aires?
Students in Buenos Aires spend around 530,000 ARS per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 79,000 ARS or as high as 5.9M ARS. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Affordable living in Buenos Aires
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Buenos Aires?
Around 44% of surveyed students think that living in Buenos Aires is affordable with proper budgeting while 56% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Buenos Aires
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
| 880 ARS | 1,800 ARS | 2,900 ARS |
Restaurant meal for one
| 3,100 ARS | 4,600 ARS | 9,200 ARS |
Fine dining meal for one
| 5,900 ARS | 8,800 ARS | 35,000 ARS |
Cappuccino or latte
| 750 ARS | 1,200 ARS | 1,800 ARS |
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
| 1,000 ARS | 1,400 ARS | 1,900 ARS |
Pack of beef
| 1,300 ARS | 1,900 ARS | 3,800 ARS |
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
| 770 ARS | 920 ARS | 1,800 ARS |
Average car full tank
| 4,400 ARS | 5,900 ARS | 12,000 ARS |
Average car 1-day rental
| 4,100 ARS | 5,500 ARS | 8,200 ARS |
Average car price
| 2.1M ARS | 4.2M ARS | 5.6M ARS |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 5,700 ARS | 8,600 ARS | 17,000 ARS |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 2,800 ARS | 19,000 ARS | 210,000 ARS |
Internet and cable
| 4,600 ARS | 9,200 ARS | 12,000 ARS |
Mobile phone charges
| 3,000 ARS | 5,000 ARS | 15,000 ARS |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 2,000 ARS | 2,600 ARS | 3,900 ARS |
One month gym membership
| 7,200 ARS | 9,000 ARS | 18,000 ARS |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 5,400 ARS | 7,700 ARS | 12,000 ARS |
Woman dress
| 5,200 ARS | 7,300 ARS | 24,000 ARS |
Woman shoes
| 4,600 ARS | 6,300 ARS | 15,000 ARS |
Men's shoes
| 4,100 ARS | 5,000 ARS | 10,000 ARS |
Men suit
| 4,600 ARS | 5,800 ARS | 31,000 ARS |
Regular t-shirt
| 2,400 ARS | 3,100 ARS | 9,400 ARS |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 85,000 ARS | 130,000 ARS | 340,000 ARS |
1-bedroom apartment
| 130,000 ARS | 210,000 ARS | 520,000 ARS |
2-bedroom apartment
| 180,000 ARS | 270,000 ARS | 710,000 ARS |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
| 34M ARS | 100M ARS | 200M ARS |
| $40,000 | $120,000 | $240,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 87,000 ARS | 110,000 ARS | 150,000 ARS |
Double Bed
| 59,000 ARS | 89,000 ARS | 110,000 ARS |
Single Bed
| 54,000 ARS | 70,000 ARS | 91,000 ARS |
Living Room
| 100,000 ARS | 130,000 ARS | 470,000 ARS |
Dining Table
| 44,000 ARS | 58,000 ARS | 110,000 ARS |
Sofa or Couch
| 59,000 ARS | 81,000 ARS | 180,000 ARS |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 60,000 ARS | 90,000 ARS | 180,000 ARS |
Fridge or Freezer
| 54,000 ARS | 83,000 ARS | 110,000 ARS |
Washing Machine
| 66,000 ARS | 95,000 ARS | 170,000 ARS |
Stove or Cooker
| 63,000 ARS | 80,000 ARS | 110,000 ARS |
Mobile Phone
| 75,000 ARS | 90,000 ARS | 130,000 ARS |
Laptop or Computer
| 83,000 ARS | 100,000 ARS | 180,000 ARS |
How do students spend their money in Buenos Aires?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost16%
16% of total expenses on average (11% to 22%)
| LOW | $23 19,000 ARS |
| AVERAGE | $150 130,000 ARS |
| HIGH | $1,700 1.4M ARS |
| Per Month |
Students in Buenos Aires typically spend from 11% to 22% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 16% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 130,000 ARS with expenditure ranging from 19,000 ARS to 1.4M ARS. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $3.3 2,800 ARS |
| AVERAGE | $22 19,000 ARS |
| HIGH | $250 210,000 ARS |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Buenos Aires ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 19,000 ARS with 2,800 ARS and 210,000 ARS being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel3%
3% of total expenses on average (4% to 9%)
| LOW | $6.3 5,300 ARS |
| AVERAGE | $42 36,000 ARS |
| HIGH | $470 390,000 ARS |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 5,300 ARS to 390,000 ARS in a month on commuting with 36,000 ARS being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 3% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 9%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost24%
24% of total expenses on average (18% to 28%)
| LOW | $18 15,000 ARS |
| AVERAGE | $120 99,000 ARS |
| HIGH | $1,300 1.1M ARS |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Buenos Aires is 99,000 ARS. The cost of groceries can range between 15,000 ARS to 1.1M ARS. Students spend on average about 24% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 18% and 28% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare10%
10% of total expenses on average (7% to 13%)
| LOW | $4.7 3,900 ARS |
| AVERAGE | $31 26,000 ARS |
| HIGH | $350 290,000 ARS |
| Per Month |
Students in Buenos Aires allocate 7% to 13% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 3,900 ARS to 290,000 ARS with 26,000 ARS being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)
| LOW | $4.4 3,700 ARS |
| AVERAGE | $29 25,000 ARS |
| HIGH | $330 280,000 ARS |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 3,700 ARS to 280,000 ARS with 25,000 ARS being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 1% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 2% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $17 14,000 ARS |
| AVERAGE | $110 94,000 ARS |
| HIGH | $1,200 1M ARS |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 94,000 ARS per month with 14,000 ARS being the minimum spent amount and 1M ARS being the maximum.
Other Expenses20%
20% of total expenses on average (14% to 26%)
| LOW | $14 12,000 ARS |
| AVERAGE | $92 78,000 ARS |
| HIGH | $1,000 870,000 ARS |
| Per Month |
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Low-cost alternatives in Buenos Aires
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options55%
Few low-cost options45%
Based on the survey, 55% of the students living in Buenos Aires have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 45% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Students
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked students whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes44%
No56%
Based on the survey, 56% of the students living in Buenos Aires said that they don't have an emergency fund while 44% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy39%
We asked student guardians and parents in Buenos Aires whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 61% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 39% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether students of have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 51% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 49% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance51%
Easily manages finances49%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Buenos Aires
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Buenos Aires
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 85,000 ARS | 130,000 ARS | 340,000 ARS |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 130,000 ARS | 210,000 ARS | 520,000 ARS |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 180,000 ARS | 270,000 ARS | 710,000 ARS |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 220,000 ARS | 360,000 ARS | 990,000 ARS |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 420,000 ARS | 1M ARS | 2.1M ARS |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 340,000 ARS | 510,000 ARS | 1.5M ARS |
House monthly rent cost
| 420,000 ARS | 1M ARS | 2.1M ARS |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 510,000 ARS | 1.3M ARS | 2M ARS |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Buenos Aires ranges between 85,000 ARS and 340,000 ARS, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 130,000 ARS to 520,000 ARS. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 180,000 ARS and 710,000 ARS per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 220,000 ARS to 990,000 ARS. The average rent of a townhouse in Buenos Aires is around 510,000 ARS while house rental costs can be as high as 1M ARS per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 510,000 ARS to 2M ARS per month.
Apartment and house prices in Buenos Aires
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
1-bedroom apartment price
2-bedroom apartment price
| 34M ARS | 100M ARS | 200M ARS |
| $40,000 | $120,000 | $240,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 120M ARS | 170M ARS | 520M ARS |
| $140,000 | $210,000 | $620,000 |
Townhouse price
| 150M ARS | 360M ARS | 1,300M ARS |
House price
| 180M ARS | 1,100M ARS | 1,600M ARS |
Villa price
| 220M ARS | 1,200M ARS | 1,800M ARS |
The average price of a studio apartment in Buenos Aires can range from 18M ARS to 53M ARS depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 22M ARS to 140M ARS. A villa can cost you 1,200M ARS on average with prices ranging from 220M ARS to 1,800M ARS.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Buenos Aires will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 42 | x117 monthly income | 261 |
Property prices in Buenos Aires can be x117 to x261 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x117 multiples of the average monthly salary in Buenos Aires.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Buenos Aires is around 35%. This means that people pay 35% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 23% to 47% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
27% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 1,600 ARS | 16,000 ARS | 240,000 ARS |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Buenos Aires
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Buenos Aires
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 2,800 ARS | 19,000 ARS | 210,000 ARS |
Internet and cable cost
| 4,600 ARS | 9,200 ARS | 12,000 ARS |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 3,000 ARS | 5,000 ARS | 15,000 ARS |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 19,000 ARS. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 4,600 ARS to 12,000 ARS with 9,200 ARS being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 5,000 ARS but can range between 3,000 ARS and 15,000 ARS depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Buenos Aires is around 8.2%. This means that people pay 8.2% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 4.7% to 13% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Buenos Aires
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Buenos Aires
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
| 880 ARS | 1,800 ARS | 2,900 ARS |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Buenos Aires is approximatly 1,800 ARS with meal cost ranging from 880 ARS to 2,900 ARS. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 3,100 ARS | 4,600 ARS | 9,200 ARS |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 3,100 ARS and 9,200 ARS with 4,600 ARS being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Buenos Aires.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 5,900 ARS | 8,800 ARS | 35,000 ARS |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 5,900 ARS to 35,000 ARS with the average cost being 8,800 ARS for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Buenos Aires.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
| 750 ARS | 1,200 ARS | 1,800 ARS |
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Buenos Aires is around 1,200 ARS. Price ranges between 750 ARS and 1,800 ARS depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Buenos Aires is 730 ARS. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 920 ARS and the minimum being 610 ARS depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 580 ARS on average with 440 ARS and 870 ARS being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
| 1,000 ARS | 1,400 ARS | 1,900 ARS |
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Buenos Aires is between 1,000 ARS and 1,900 ARS depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 1,400 ARS.
Pack of beef price
| 1,300 ARS | 1,900 ARS | 3,800 ARS |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 1,900 ARS. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Buenos Aires costs around 630 ARS on average with prices rangeing between 460 ARS and 900 ARS depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 180 ARS to 440 ARS. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 420 ARS on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 15,000 ARS to 1.1M ARS with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
Published: March 29, 2024 Last Update: April 7, 2025
