Cost of living in Buenos Aires, Argentina vs Iowa City, Iowa, United States

Currency:
Food | - 54% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Buenos Aires (Argentina) is 54% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ARS $643 ($7) | $14 | - 47% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ARS $440 ($4.90) | $7 | - 28% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ARS $158 ($1.76) | $4.70 | - 63% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ARS $63 ($0.70) | $0.86 | - 19% | |
12 eggs, large | ARS $148 ($1.65) | $2.37 | - 30% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ARS $86 ($0.96) | $4.43 | - 78% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ARS $280 ($3.11) | $8 | - 60% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ARS $100 ($1.11) | $3.06 | - 64% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ARS $48 ($0.54) | $1.56 | - 65% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ARS $82 ($0.92) | $2.81 | - 67% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ARS $282 ($3.14) | $13 | - 76% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | ARS $145 ($1.62) | $1.84 | - 12% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ARS $42 ($0.47) | $1.66 | - 72% | |
Housing | - 67% | |||
Housing in Buenos Aires (Argentina) is 67% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ARS $43,517 ($484) | $1,487 | - 67% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ARS $29,840 ($332) | $1,026 | - 68% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ARS $4,075 ($45) | $123 | - 63% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ARS $31,711 ($353) | $957 | - 63% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ARS $19,567 ($218) | $692 | - 69% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ARS $3,103 ($35) | $127 | - 73% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ARS $1,424 ($16) | $48 | - 67% | |
40” flat screen tv | ARS $34,342 ($382) | $338 | + 13% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ARS $14,437 ($161) | $80 | + 101% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ARS $361 ($4.02) | $11 | - 64% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | ARS $235 ($2.62) | $24 | - 89% | |
Clothes | - 17% | |||
Clothes in Buenos Aires (Argentina) is 17% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ARS $3,783 ($42) | $49 | - 13% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ARS $2,552 ($28) | $33 | - 14% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ARS $6,722 ($75) | $82 | - 8% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ARS $5,543 ($62) | $101 | - 39% | |
Transportation | - 30% | |||
Transportation in Buenos Aires (Argentina) is 30% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ARS $2,046,680 ($22,778) | $19,239 | + 18% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ARS $66 ($0.73) | $0.70 | + 4% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | ARS $1,256 ($14) | $33 | - 58% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ARS $428 ($4.77) | $17 | - 71% | |
Personal Care | - 64% | |||
Personal Care in Buenos Aires (Argentina) is 64% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ARS $290 ($3.23) | $7 | - 53% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ARS $596 ($7) | $21 | - 68% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ARS $1,200 ($13) | $95 | - 86% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ARS $278 ($3.09) | $6 | - 52% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ARS $153 ($1.70) | $3.01 | - 44% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ARS $240 ($2.67) | $5.65 | - 53% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | ARS $121 ($1.35) | $3.19 | - 58% | |
Tube of toothpaste | ARS $137 ($1.52) | $1.79 | - 15% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ARS $569 ($6) | $20 | - 68% | |
Entertainment | - 38% | |||
Entertainment in Buenos Aires (Argentina) is 38% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ARS $1,384 ($15) | $34 | - 55% | |
2 tickets to the movies | ARS $691 ($8) | $19 | - 60% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ARS $2,438 ($27) | $95 | - 71% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ARS $2,149 ($24) | $67 | - 64% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ARS $387 ($4.31) | $7 | - 38% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ARS $190 ($2.12) | $3.83 | - 45% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ARS $162 ($1.81) | $4.40 | - 59% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ARS $56,927 ($634) | $430 | + 47% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ARS $17 ($0.19) | $0.21 | - 9% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | ARS $2,204 ($25) | $43 | - 43% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ARS $169 ($1.89) | $7 | - 74% | |
TOTAL | - 51% |

These prices were last updated on February 28, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.01113
USD
/
ARS
*
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Cost of living in Buenos Aires (Argentina) is 51% cheaper than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $4,100 in Iowa City, Iowa you would need to make just about $2,002 (ARS $179,846) in Buenos Aires.
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