Cost Of Living For a Student in Penalolen 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: CLP
Average monthly spending for students in Penalolen
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Penalolen?
Students in Penalolen spend around 1.2M CLP per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 180,000 CLP or as high as 8M CLP. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Penalolen
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
2,700 CLP | 5,500 CLP | 9,100 CLP |
Restaurant meal for one
8,800 CLP | 13,000 CLP | 26,000 CLP |
Fine dining meal for one
18,000 CLP | 26,000 CLP | 110,000 CLP |
Cappuccino or latte
2,300 CLP | 3,700 CLP | 5,500 CLP |
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
1,800 CLP | 2,200 CLP | 2,700 CLP |
12 eggs
1,400 CLP | 1,800 CLP | 2,700 CLP |
Fresh whole chicken
3,100 CLP | 4,000 CLP | 5,700 CLP |
Pack of beef
3,700 CLP | 5,500 CLP | 11,000 CLP |
Medium bag of rice
1,500 CLP | 2,000 CLP | 2,900 CLP |
Bag of tomatos
550 CLP | 730 CLP | 1,400 CLP |
Bag of apples
980 CLP | 1,300 CLP | 2,100 CLP |
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
2,200 CLP | 2,600 CLP | 5,300 CLP |
Average car full tank
14,000 CLP | 18,000 CLP | 37,000 CLP |
Average car 1-day rental
13,000 CLP | 17,000 CLP | 25,000 CLP |
Average car price
Bus ticket one way
420 CLP | 630 CLP | 1,300 CLP |
Car Service
17,000 CLP | 25,000 CLP | 51,000 CLP |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
7,400 CLP | 48,000 CLP | 320,000 CLP |
Internet and cable
14,000 CLP | 27,000 CLP | 37,000 CLP |
Mobile phone charges
11,000 CLP | 18,000 CLP | 55,000 CLP |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
6,900 CLP | 9,100 CLP | 14,000 CLP |
One month gym membership
20,000 CLP | 25,000 CLP | 51,000 CLP |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
15,000 CLP | 21,000 CLP | 32,000 CLP |
Woman dress
14,000 CLP | 19,000 CLP | 63,000 CLP |
Woman shoes
13,000 CLP | 18,000 CLP | 42,000 CLP |
Men's shoes
12,000 CLP | 14,000 CLP | 28,000 CLP |
Men suit
13,000 CLP | 16,000 CLP | 84,000 CLP |
Regular t-shirt
6,300 CLP | 8,400 CLP | 25,000 CLP |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
210,000 CLP | 320,000 CLP | 840,000 CLP |
1-bedroom apartment
320,000 CLP | 510,000 CLP | 1.3M CLP |
2-bedroom apartment
420,000 CLP | 630,000 CLP | 1.7M CLP |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
84M CLP | 250M CLP | 510M CLP |
$87,000 | $260,000 | $520,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
270,000 CLP | 340,000 CLP | 460,000 CLP |
Double Bed
180,000 CLP | 270,000 CLP | 340,000 CLP |
Single Bed
160,000 CLP | 210,000 CLP | 270,000 CLP |
Living Room
300,000 CLP | 390,000 CLP | 1.4M CLP |
Dining Table
140,000 CLP | 180,000 CLP | 340,000 CLP |
Sofa or Couch
180,000 CLP | 250,000 CLP | 550,000 CLP |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
180,000 CLP | 270,000 CLP | 550,000 CLP |
Fridge or Freezer
160,000 CLP | 250,000 CLP | 340,000 CLP |
Washing Machine
210,000 CLP | 300,000 CLP | 550,000 CLP |
Stove or Cooker
200,000 CLP | 250,000 CLP | 340,000 CLP |
Mobile Phone
230,000 CLP | 270,000 CLP | 390,000 CLP |
Laptop or Computer
250,000 CLP | 300,000 CLP | 550,000 CLP |
How do students spend their money in Penalolen?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost20%
20% of total expenses on average (15% to 26%)
LOW | $46 44,000 CLP |
AVERAGE | $300 290,000 CLP |
HIGH | $2,000 1.9M CLP |
| Per Month |
Students in Penalolen typically spend from 15% to 26% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 20% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 290,000 CLP with expenditure ranging from 44,000 CLP to 1.9M CLP. 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 utilities6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
LOW | $7.6 7,400 CLP |
AVERAGE | $50 48,000 CLP |
HIGH | $330 320,000 CLP |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Penalolen ranges from 4% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 48,000 CLP with 7,400 CLP and 320,000 CLP being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
LOW | $13 13,000 CLP |
AVERAGE | $87 85,000 CLP |
HIGH | $580 560,000 CLP |
| 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 13,000 CLP to 560,000 CLP in a month on commuting with 85,000 CLP being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 5% of total spending on average but can go as low as 5% or as high as 11%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost22%
22% of total expenses on average (16% to 26%)
LOW | $38 37,000 CLP |
AVERAGE | $250 240,000 CLP |
HIGH | $1,700 1.6M CLP |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Penalolen is 240,000 CLP. The cost of groceries can range between 37,000 CLP to 1.6M CLP. Students spend on average about 22% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 16% and 26% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare8%
8% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
LOW | $11 11,000 CLP |
AVERAGE | $74 72,000 CLP |
HIGH | $500 480,000 CLP |
| Per Month |
Students in Penalolen allocate 5% to 11% 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 8%. The range of medical expenses range from 11,000 CLP to 480,000 CLP with 72,000 CLP being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping3%
3% of total expenses on average (2% to 7%)
LOW | $9.5 9,200 CLP |
AVERAGE | $62 60,000 CLP |
HIGH | $410 400,000 CLP |
| 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 9,200 CLP to 400,000 CLP with 60,000 CLP being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 7% of total expenses with an average of 3% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling19%
19% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
LOW | $36 35,000 CLP |
AVERAGE | $240 230,000 CLP |
HIGH | $1,600 1.5M CLP |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 19% of the monthly expenditure of students with 12% and 24% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 230,000 CLP per month with 35,000 CLP being the minimum spent amount and 1.5M CLP being the maximum.
Other Expenses17%
17% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
LOW | $28 28,000 CLP |
AVERAGE | $190 180,000 CLP |
HIGH | $1,200 1.2M CLP |
| 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.
Affordable living in Penalolen
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Penalolen?
Around 66% of surveyed students think that living in Penalolen is affordable with proper budgeting while 34% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Penalolen
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 options57%
Few low-cost options43%
Based on the survey, 57% of the students living in Penalolen have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 43% 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 of Penalolen whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes63%
No37%
Based on the survey, 37% of the students living in Penalolen said that they don't have an emergency fund while 63% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Chile
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 Leteracy63%
We asked student guardians and parents in Penalolen whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 37% 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 63% 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 Chile have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 35% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 65% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance35%
Easily manages finances65%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Penalolen
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Penalolen
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
210,000 CLP | 320,000 CLP | 840,000 CLP |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
320,000 CLP | 510,000 CLP | 1.3M CLP |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
420,000 CLP | 630,000 CLP | 1.7M CLP |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
510,000 CLP | 840,000 CLP | 2.3M CLP |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
Townhouse monthly rent cost
840,000 CLP | 1.3M CLP | 3.6M CLP |
House monthly rent cost
Villa monthly rent cost
1.3M CLP | 3.2M CLP | 5.1M CLP |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Penalolen ranges between 210,000 CLP and 840,000 CLP, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 320,000 CLP to 1.3M CLP. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 420,000 CLP and 1.7M CLP per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 510,000 CLP to 2.3M CLP. The average rent of a townhouse in Penalolen is around 1.3M CLP while house rental costs can be as high as 2.5M CLP per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 1.3M CLP to 5.1M CLP per month.
Apartment and house prices in Penalolen
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
1-bedroom apartment price
2-bedroom apartment price
84M CLP | 250M CLP | 510M CLP |
$87,000 | $260,000 | $520,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
280M CLP | 420M CLP | 1,300M CLP |
Townhouse price
360M CLP | 840M CLP | 3,200M CLP |
House price
420M CLP | 2,500M CLP | 3,600M CLP |
Villa price
510M CLP | 2,800M CLP | 4,200M CLP |
The average price of a studio apartment in Penalolen can range from 42M CLP to 130M CLP depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 51M CLP to 320M CLP. A villa can cost you 2,800M CLP on average with prices ranging from 510M CLP to 4,200M CLP.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Penalolen 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
35 | x101 monthly income | 196 |
Property prices in Penalolen can be x101 to x196 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x101 multiples of the average monthly salary in Penalolen.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Penalolen is around 29%. This means that people pay 29% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 19% to 39% 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.
3,700 CLP | 48,000 CLP | 480,000 CLP |
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 Penalolen
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Penalolen
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
7,400 CLP | 48,000 CLP | 320,000 CLP |
Internet and cable cost
14,000 CLP | 27,000 CLP | 37,000 CLP |
Mobile phone bill and charges
11,000 CLP | 18,000 CLP | 55,000 CLP |
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 48,000 CLP. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 14,000 CLP to 37,000 CLP with 27,000 CLP being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 18,000 CLP but can range between 11,000 CLP and 55,000 CLP 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 Penalolen is around 5.8%. This means that people pay 5.8% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2.9% to 9.7% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Penalolen
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Penalolen
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
2,700 CLP | 5,500 CLP | 9,100 CLP |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Penalolen is approximatly 5,500 CLP with meal cost ranging from 2,700 CLP to 9,100 CLP. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
8,800 CLP | 13,000 CLP | 26,000 CLP |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 8,800 CLP and 26,000 CLP with 13,000 CLP being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Penalolen.
Fine dining meal for one price
18,000 CLP | 26,000 CLP | 110,000 CLP |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 18,000 CLP to 110,000 CLP with the average cost being 26,000 CLP for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Penalolen.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
2,300 CLP | 3,700 CLP | 5,500 CLP |
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Penalolen is around 3,700 CLP. Price ranges between 2,300 CLP and 5,500 CLP depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
1,800 CLP | 2,200 CLP | 2,700 CLP |
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Penalolen is 2,200 CLP. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 2,700 CLP and the minimum being 1,800 CLP depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
1,400 CLP | 1,800 CLP | 2,700 CLP |
A dozen eggs costs around 1,800 CLP on average with 1,400 CLP and 2,700 CLP being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
3,100 CLP | 4,000 CLP | 5,700 CLP |
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Penalolen is between 3,100 CLP and 5,700 CLP depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 4,000 CLP.
Pack of beef price
3,700 CLP | 5,500 CLP | 11,000 CLP |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 5,500 CLP. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
1,500 CLP | 2,000 CLP | 2,900 CLP |
A bag of rice in Penalolen costs around 2,000 CLP on average with prices rangeing between 1,500 CLP and 2,900 CLP depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
550 CLP | 730 CLP | 1,400 CLP |
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 550 CLP to 1,400 CLP. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
980 CLP | 1,300 CLP | 2,100 CLP |
A bag of apples costs 1,300 CLP on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Penalolen is around 25%. This means that students spend 25% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 17% to 31% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 37,000 CLP to 1.6M CLP with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.