Buenos Aires vs Montevideo Cost of Living

Buenos Aires (Argentina) · Overall index 37.3Montevideo (Uruguay) · Overall index 41.5

Summary

  • Overall, Montevideo is 11% more expensive than Buenos Aires.
  • Rent in Montevideo is 22% more expensive than in Buenos Aires.
  • Groceries in Montevideo is 12% more expensive than in Buenos Aires.
ItemBuenos AiresMontevideoDiff
Rent+22%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,039$1,270+22%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$720$815+13%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,957$2,666+36%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,427$1,650+16%
Groceries+12%
Milk (1L)$0.67$0.68+1%
White bread (500g)$1.94$2.09+8%
Rice (1kg)$2.2$2.43+10%
Eggs (12)$2.15$2.48+15%
Local cheese (1kg)$6.64$7.13+7%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$6.42$6.2-3%
Beef round (1kg)$9.29$10.3+11%
Apples (1kg)$2.55$2.88+13%
Bananas (1kg)$1.03$1.06+3%
Oranges (1kg)$2.18$2.24+3%
Tomatoes (1kg)$2.51$3.13+25%
Potatoes (1kg)$1.39$1.66+19%
Onions (1kg)$1.22$1.49+22%
Lettuce (1 head)$1.13$1.51+34%
Water (1.5L bottle)$1.19$1.21+2%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$7$8.93+28%
Transport+9%
Public transport, one-way ticket$1$1.26+26%
Public transport, monthly pass$46.7$54.2+16%
Taxi, base fare$1.79$1.65-8%
Taxi, per km$0.85$0.89+5%
Gasoline (1L)$0.37$0.4+8%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$10,087$11,542+14%
Dining out+7%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$8.77$9.54+9%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$51.1$52.7+3%
Fast food combo meal$5.02$5.020%
Cappuccino$2.15$2.4+12%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$1.06$1.11+5%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$2.96$2.98+1%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$3.3$3.66+11%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$0.8$0.91+14%
Telecom+6%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$35.3$37.8+7%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$39.4$36.6-7%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.18$0.21+17%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$8.1$8.89+10%
Utilities & household+5%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$77.6$94.9+22%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.11$0.110%
Tap water (1m³)$2.47$2.5+1%
Natural gas (1m³)$0.67$0.7+4%
Waste collection (monthly)$11.9$10.7-10%
Fitness club (monthly)$40.9$38.4-6%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$8.07$8.53+6%
Men's haircut$14.3$15.6+9%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$11.8$13.1+11%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$888$1,011+14%

3,010 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

Keep your standard of living

Estimates for reference only — not official statistics.

Compare other cities

vs

Frequently compared