Cost of living in Montevideo (Uruguay) is 20% more expensive than in Buenos Aires (Argentina)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 3,712 prices entered by 347 different people.
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Buenos Aires has artificial and unrealistic official exchange rates.
You can also get this comparison using the parallel street rate in Buenos Aires.
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Currency:
| Food | + 13% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Montevideo (Uruguay) is 13% more expensive than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Montevideo | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $U794 (ARS $19,839) | ARS $20,726 | - 4% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $U520 (ARS $12,998) | ARS $12,716 | + 2% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $U221 (ARS $5,516) | ARS $4,570 | + 21% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $U49 (ARS $1,234) | ARS $1,553 | - 21% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $U203 (ARS $5,084) | ARS $3,440 | + 48% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $U129 (ARS $3,214) | ARS $2,527 | + 27% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $U345 (ARS $8,630) | ARS $8,108 | + 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $U122 (ARS $3,039) | ARS $2,601 | + 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $U82 (ARS $2,060) | ARS $1,123 | + 83% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $U93 (ARS $2,332) | ARS $2,236 | + 4% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $U388 (ARS $9,702) | ARS $9,390 | + 3% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $U151 (ARS $3,784) | ARS $3,354 | + 13% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $U82 (ARS $2,042) | ARS $1,187 | + 72% | |
| Housing | + 28% | |||
| Housing in Montevideo (Uruguay) is 28% more expensive than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Montevideo | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $U60,617 (ARS $1,514,482) | ARS $1,077,020 | + 41% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $U33,864 (ARS $846,080) | ARS $819,046 | + 3% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $U4,686 (ARS $117,076) | ARS $97,789 | + 20% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $U36,809 (ARS $919,668) | ARS $695,589 | + 32% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $U24,237 (ARS $605,551) | ARS $444,212 | + 36% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $U2,928 (ARS $73,155) | ARS $61,446 | + 19% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $U1,212 (ARS $30,270) | ARS $20,963 | + 44% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $U14,502 (ARS $362,335) | ARS $430,954 | - 16% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $U5,426 (ARS $135,555) | ARS $280,105 | - 52% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $U325 (ARS $8,126) | ARS $7,964 | + 2% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $U314 (ARS $7,846) | ARS $4,514 | + 74% | |
| Clothes | - 31% | |||
| Clothes in Montevideo (Uruguay) is 31% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Montevideo | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $U3,390 (ARS $84,690) | ARS $108,547 | - 22% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $U1,800 (ARS $44,961) | ARS $84,090 | - 47% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $U5,409 (ARS $135,147) | ARS $153,442 | - 12% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $U5,331 (ARS $133,194) | ARS $139,318 | - 4% | |
| Transportation | + 59% | |||
| Transportation in Montevideo (Uruguay) is 59% more expensive than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Montevideo | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $U971,528 (ARS $24,273,290) | ARS $32,234,000 | - 25% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $U81 (ARS $2,015) | ARS $1,302 | + 55% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $U2,481 (ARS $61,982) | ARS $26,289 | + 136% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $U774 (ARS $19,341) | ARS $15,750 | + 23% | |
| Personal Care | + 32% | |||
| Personal Care in Montevideo (Uruguay) is 32% more expensive than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Montevideo | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $U384 (ARS $9,595) | ARS $6,469 | + 48% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $U714 (ARS $17,835) | ARS $14,340 | + 24% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $U2,901 (ARS $72,474) | ARS $29,233 | + 148% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $U279 (ARS $6,963) | ARS $7,293 | - 5% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $U161 (ARS $4,021) | ARS $2,606 | + 54% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $U303 (ARS $7,569) | ARS $6,606 | + 15% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $U129 (ARS $3,230) | ARS $3,380 | - 4% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $U137 (ARS $3,430) | ARS $3,554 | - 4% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $U725 (ARS $18,106) | ARS $24,323 | - 26% | |
| Entertainment | - 2% | |||
| Entertainment in Montevideo (Uruguay) is about the same as in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Montevideo | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $U1,722 (ARS $43,033) | ARS $38,251 | + 13% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $U782 (ARS $19,528) | ARS $57,972 | - 66% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $U1,164 (ARS $29,075) | ARS $71,995 | - 60% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $U2,641 (ARS $65,977) | ARS $64,755 | + 2% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $U399 (ARS $9,975) | ARS $13,609 | - 27% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $U214 (ARS $5,339) | ARS $5,817 | - 8% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $U168 (ARS $4,190) | ARS $6,089 | - 31% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $U48,346 (ARS $1,207,901) | ARS $875,595 | + 38% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $U13 (ARS $331) | ARS $332 | - 0% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $U2,529 (ARS $63,197) | ARS $38,849 | + 63% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $U219 (ARS $5,471) | ARS $4,600 | + 19% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 20% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 3,712 prices entered by 347 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 16, 2025.
Exchange rate:
24.985
ARS
/
UYU
*
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For example, you would need at least ARS $3,578,726 ($U143,237) in Montevideo to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with ARS $2,980,000 in Buenos Aires.
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