Is Buenos Aires expensive to live in?

Expensive for Argentina, cheap for a world capital. Buenos Aires runs $2,025 a month at CostLiving’s moderate tier, about 21 percent above the Argentina-wide benchmark of $1,675. That premium is almost entirely housing: a one-bed in the capital averages $718 a month at the moderate tier against $496 nationally, and prime barrios like Palermo and Recoleta run $800 to $1,500. Set against comparable cities abroad, though, the value is stark, since the United States moderate benchmark is $3,525 and most European capitals land far above Buenos Aires too. The practical play many expats settle on: take the capital’s food, culture and connectivity, but live one barrio out from the prime streets, where the rent drop is steep and the quality drop isn’t. Full figures for the city and country are on our Argentina cost of living page.