Cost of living in Montevideo (Uruguay) is 18% more expensive than in Buenos Aires (Argentina)
We need your help!
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
Do you know the prices in Buenos Aires or in Montevideo? You can help!
Improve the prices for Buenos Aires! Improve the prices for Montevideo!
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 3,470 prices entered by 332 different people.
WARNING!
Buenos Aires has artificial and unrealistic official exchange rates.
You can also get this comparison using the parallel street rate in Buenos Aires.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
| Food | + 14% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Montevideo (Uruguay) is 14% 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 $21,559) | ARS $23,876 | - 10% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $U520 (ARS $14,125) | ARS $12,830 | + 10% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $U221 (ARS $5,995) | ARS $4,355 | + 38% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $U49 (ARS $1,341) | ARS $1,696 | - 21% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $U203 (ARS $5,525) | ARS $3,918 | + 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $U129 (ARS $3,492) | ARS $2,727 | + 28% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $U345 (ARS $9,378) | ARS $7,729 | + 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $U122 (ARS $3,302) | ARS $2,589 | + 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $U82 (ARS $2,239) | ARS $1,025 | + 118% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $U93 (ARS $2,535) | ARS $2,078 | + 22% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $U388 (ARS $10,544) | ARS $8,197 | + 29% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $U151 (ARS $4,112) | ARS $3,049 | + 35% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $U82 (ARS $2,219) | ARS $1,790 | + 24% | |
| Housing | + 22% | |||
| Housing in Montevideo (Uruguay) is 22% 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 $1,645,784) | ARS $1,261,780 | + 30% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $U33,864 (ARS $919,433) | ARS $789,824 | + 16% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $U4,686 (ARS $127,227) | ARS $113,399 | + 12% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $U36,809 (ARS $999,401) | ARS $820,881 | + 22% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $U24,237 (ARS $658,050) | ARS $485,446 | + 36% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $U2,928 (ARS $79,498) | ARS $79,342 | + 0% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $U1,212 (ARS $32,895) | ARS $23,879 | + 38% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $U14,502 (ARS $393,749) | ARS $489,168 | - 20% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $U5,426 (ARS $147,307) | ARS $301,288 | - 51% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $U325 (ARS $8,830) | ARS $8,892 | - 1% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $U314 (ARS $8,526) | ARS $4,366 | + 95% | |
| Clothes | - 32% | |||
| Clothes in Montevideo (Uruguay) is 32% 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 $92,032) | ARS $127,568 | - 28% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $U1,800 (ARS $48,859) | ARS $95,952 | - 49% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $U5,409 (ARS $146,864) | ARS $145,674 | + 1% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $U5,331 (ARS $144,742) | ARS $121,456 | + 19% | |
| Transportation | + 64% | |||
| Transportation in Montevideo (Uruguay) is 64% 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 $26,377,728) | ARS $28,253,100 | - 7% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $U81 (ARS $2,190) | ARS $1,276 | + 72% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $U2,435 (ARS $66,101) | ARS $29,556 | + 124% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $U601 (ARS $16,326) | ARS $18,205 | - 10% | |
| Personal Care | + 38% | |||
| Personal Care in Montevideo (Uruguay) is 38% 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 $10,427) | ARS $6,469 | + 61% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $U714 (ARS $19,382) | ARS $14,340 | + 35% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $U2,901 (ARS $78,757) | ARS $39,187 | + 101% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $U279 (ARS $7,567) | ARS $5,842 | + 30% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $U161 (ARS $4,369) | ARS $3,892 | + 12% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $U303 (ARS $8,225) | ARS $5,925 | + 39% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $U129 (ARS $3,510) | ARS $2,963 | + 18% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $U137 (ARS $3,727) | ARS $3,853 | - 3% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $U725 (ARS $19,676) | ARS $15,570 | + 26% | |
| Entertainment | - 9% | |||
| Entertainment in Montevideo (Uruguay) is 9% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Montevideo | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $U1,722 (ARS $46,764) | ARS $48,099 | - 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $U782 (ARS $21,221) | ARS $16,622 | + 28% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $U1,164 (ARS $31,596) | ARS $64,895 | - 51% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $U2,641 (ARS $71,697) | ARS $64,624 | + 11% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $U399 (ARS $10,840) | ARS $8,828 | + 23% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $U214 (ARS $5,802) | ARS $4,884 | + 19% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $U168 (ARS $4,554) | ARS $4,924 | - 8% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $U48,346 (ARS $1,312,623) | ARS $865,332 | + 52% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $U13 (ARS $359) | ARS $729 | - 51% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $U2,529 (ARS $68,676) | ARS $45,571 | + 51% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $U219 (ARS $5,946) | ARS $3,981 | + 49% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 18% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 3,470 prices entered by 332 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 21, 2025.
Exchange rate:
27.151
ARS
/
UYU
*
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in San Francisco, California is 32% more expensive than in Oslo
- Cost of living in Berlin is 6% cheaper than in Birmingham
- Cost of living in Santiago, Chile is 16% more expensive than in Lima
- Cost of living in Barcelona, Spain is 21% more expensive than in Vigo
- Cost of living in London is 98% more expensive than in Madrid
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 17% cheaper than in Madrid
- Cost of living in Kuala Lumpur is 6% more expensive than in Johor Bahru
- Cost of living in Mexico City is 35% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in New York City is 277% more expensive than in São Paulo
- Cost of living in New York City is 53% more expensive than in Singapore
Compare other countries
For example, you would need at least ARS $4,181,372 ($U154,006) in Montevideo to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with ARS $3,540,000 in Buenos Aires.
Do you live in Buenos Aires? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Curitiba (Brazil)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Santiago, Chile (Chile)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Quito (Ecuador)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Lima (Peru)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Campinas (Brazil)
- Cost of Living, Prices in São Paulo (Brazil)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
Prices recently added
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Seremban costs RM18 (about 2 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 900 sqft furnished accommodation in expensive area in Tucson, Arizona costs $1,677 (about 4 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Cairns costs AU$35 (about 4 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in São Paulo costs R$ 3,500 (about 5 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Uberlandia costs R$ 40 (about 5 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 900 sqft furnished accommodation in expensive area in Maui costs $1,017 (about 10 hours ago)