Cost of living in Calama
Calama, located in the heart of Chile's Atacama Desert, is a city known for its mining industry and unique desert landscapes. Understanding the cost of living in Calama is crucial for anyone considering relocating to 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 MealA meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $7.72 on average, with a range between $7.21 and $8.24.
- Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two)For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $31.92, with prices ranging from $22.65 to $41.18.
- Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)A domestic beer costs approximately $3.09.
- Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)An imported beer is priced at about $5.15.
- Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)A bottle of Coke or Pepsi costs $0.93.
- Water (0.33 liter bottle)A bottle of water ranges from $0.82 to $1.03, averaging $0.93.
- Cappuccino (regular)A regular cappuccino costs between $1.54 and $2.57, averaging $2.06.
Grocery Prices
- MilkMilk is priced at $1.13 per liter.
- Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread)A loaf of fresh white bread costs $0.82.
- Eggs (Dozen)A dozen eggs are priced at $4.94.
- Local Cheese (1kg)Local cheese costs $9.27 per kg.
- Chicken Fillets (1kg)Chicken fillets are priced at $6.18 per kg.
- Beef Round (1kg)Beef round costs $7.72 per kg.
- Apples (1kg)Apples are priced at $1.24 per kg.
- Oranges (1kg)Oranges cost $1.54 per kg.
- Potato (1kg)Potatoes are priced at $0.93 per kg.
- Tomato (1kg)Tomatoes cost $1.13 per kg.
- Banana (1kg)Bananas are priced at $1.03 per kg.
- Onion (1kg)Onions cost $0.98 per kg.
- Rice (white), (1kg)Rice is priced at $2.68 per kg.
- Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)A mid-range bottle of wine costs $4.12.
- Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)A domestic beer bottle costs $1.03.
- Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)An imported beer bottle is priced at $1.24.
- Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)A pack of Marlboro cigarettes costs $5.15.
Transportation
- Public Transport (One-Way Ticket)A one-way local transport ticket costs $0.93.
- Fuel (Gasoline)Gasoline is priced between $1.44 and $1.54 per liter, averaging $1.49.
- Taxi Fares (1km)Taxi fares cost between $1.03 and $1.92 per km, averaging $1.47.
Housing Costs
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre)Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $154.43 to $514.78, averaging $334.61.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, rent averages $102.96.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre)Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $720.69 to $926.6, averaging $823.65.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, rent averages $617.74.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre)The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre is $1417.7.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre)Outside the centre, the price per square meter is $1235.47.
Utilities
- Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.)Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost $41.18.
- InternetInternet services cost $13.37.
Cost of Living Data
The following pricing data has been gathered from 4 user contributions, as of the most recent update in May, 2023.
Restaurants
Restaurants
Avg
Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$7.72
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$31.92
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.09
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.15
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.93
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.93
Cappuccino (regular)
$2.06
Markets
Markets
Avg
Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.13
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$0.82
Eggs (regular) (12)
$4.94
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.27
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$4.12
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.03
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.24
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$5.15
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.18
Apples (1kg)
$1.24
Oranges (1kg)
$1.54
Potato (1kg)
$0.93
Rice (white), (1kg)
$2.68
Tomato (1kg)
$1.13
Banana (1kg)
$1.03
Onion (1kg)
$0.98
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$7.72
Transportation
Transportation
Avg
Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$0.93
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.49
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$1.47
Rent Per Month
Rent Per Month
Avg
Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$334.61
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$102.96
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$823.65
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$617.74
Utilities (Monthly)
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg
Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$41.18
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$13.37
Sports And Leisure
Sports And Leisure
Avg
Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$51.48
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.59
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$4.63
Clothing And Shoes
Clothing And Shoes
Avg
Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.03
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$28.83
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$46.33
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$61.77
Buy Apartment Price
Buy Apartment Price
Avg
Range
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre
$1,417.70
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre
$1,235.47
Salaries And Financing
Salaries And Financing
Avg
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,132.51
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
5%
Childcare
Childcare
Avg
Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$308.87
Worldwide
Chile
Cost of Living Rankings
The cost of living indices for Chile 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 Chile, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.
Highest to LowestUpdated: Oct, 2025
