Iquique, a coastal city in northern Chile, is known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant culture. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for anyone considering a move or planning a visit.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the expenses you can expect in Iquique, from dining and groceries to housing and transportation.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $7.72 on average, with a range between $3.6 and $15.44.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $41.18, with prices ranging from $30.89 to $82.36.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $7, with a range between $6.18 and $7.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $2.06 to $4.63, imported beer $3.29 to $5.15, cappuccino $1.54 to $4.12, and Coke/Pepsi $1.03 to $1.54.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $1.03 and $1.24 per liter, averaging $1.12.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $1.03 and $1.29, with an average price of $1.16.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs average $3.09.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $2.27 per kg, while oranges average $1.54 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.62 and $0.93 per kg, and lettuce costs $1.03 per head.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $0.57 and $1.03.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.24 and $1.39 per liter.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $360.35 to $514.78, averaging $424.69.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $308.87 to $463.3, averaging $377.5.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $617.74 to $926.6, averaging $720.69.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $617.74 to $926.6, averaging $806.49.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre averages $1739.95.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter averages $1956.16.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $51.48 and $93.35, averaging $77.45.

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: Jan, 2025

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 14 user contributions, as of the most recent update in May, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$7.72
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$41.18
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$7.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.24
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.60
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.27
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.00
Cappuccino (regular)
$3.47
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.12
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$1.16
Eggs (regular) (12)
$3.09
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.30
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.34
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$7.77
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.82
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$7.21
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.30
Apples (1kg)
$2.27
Oranges (1kg)
$1.54
Potato (1kg)
$0.77
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.03
Rice (white), (1kg)
$1.34
Tomato (1kg)
$1.08
Banana (1kg)
$2.21
Onion (1kg)
$0.62
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$0.67
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.32
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$424.69
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$377.50
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$720.69
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$806.49
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$77.45
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$41.18
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$7.00
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$30.89
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$22.99
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$46.33
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$59.20
Buy Apartment Price
Avg / Range
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre
$1,739.95
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre
$1,956.16
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$947.19
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
7.5%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$257.39
Iquique Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Iquique offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major cities, with reasonable prices for dining and housing.

Transportation and utilities are also cost-effective, making it an attractive option for both residents and visitors.

To save money, consider dining at local eateries and using public transportation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Iquique presents a balanced cost of living with affordable housing and dining options.

Its reasonable transportation and utility costs further enhance its appeal as a place to live or visit.

Whether you're planning a move or a short stay, understanding these costs can help you budget effectively.

Iquique

Nearby Cities

We don't have any relevant "Quality of life" data on cities with a 200 mile radius of Iquique
All cities in Chile