Cost of living in La Plata
La Plata, the capital city of the Buenos Aires Province in Argentina, offers a unique blend of cultural richness and modern living. Understanding the cost of living in La Plata is crucial for anyone considering moving to or visiting this vibrant city.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the expenses you can expect, from dining and groceries to housing and transportation, helping you plan your budget effectively.
Cost of Living Summary
Dining and Restaurants
- Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $8.5 on average, with a range between $7 and $20.
- Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $25, with prices ranging from $20 to $80.
- Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $4.75, with a range between $4.5 and $12.
- Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $1 to $4, imported beer $2 to $5, cappuccino $1 to $5, and Coke/Pepsi $0.75 to $3.
Grocery Prices
- Milk - Milk is priced between $0.5 and $1.99 per liter, averaging $0.95.
- Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $0.8 and $4.6, with an average price of $1.32.
- Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $0.83 to $4, averaging $1.79.
- Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $1 to $4 per kg, while oranges range from $0.5 to $2 per kg.
- Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.5 and $2 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.6 to $2.4 per head.
Transportation
- Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $0.1 and $0.5.
- Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.5 and $1.3 per liter.
- Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $0.7, with a cost of $0.4 to $1.2 per km and $3.6 to $8 per hour of waiting.
Housing Costs
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $257.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $150 to $200, averaging $175.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $588.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $514.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre averages $2000.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter averages $1700.
Utilities
- Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $30 and $143.85, averaging $35.23.
- Internet - Internet services range from $12 to $45, with an average cost of $19.
Cost of Living Rankings
The cost of living indices for Argentina are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in Argentina, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.
Cost of Living Data
Restaurants
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Transportation
Transportation
Rent Per Month
Rent Per Month
Utilities (Monthly)
Utilities (Monthly)
Sports And Leisure
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Clothing And Shoes
Clothing And Shoes
Buy Apartment Price
Buy Apartment Price
Salaries And Financing
Salaries And Financing
Childcare
Childcare
"Key Takeaways"
La Plata offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major cities in Argentina. Dining out is quite economical, especially at local restaurants.
Housing costs are low, particularly for those looking to rent outside the city centre. Public transportation is also very affordable, making it easy to get around the city without a car.
Grocery prices are reasonable, with local produce and staples being particularly cost-effective. Utilities and internet services are also competitively priced.
Conclusion
In conclusion, La Plata provides a cost-effective living environment with affordable housing, dining, and transportation options. This makes it an attractive destination for both locals and expatriates.
Whether you're planning to move or just visit, understanding these costs will help you manage your budget and enjoy all that La Plata has to offer.