Cost of living in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 85% more expensive than in Mar del Plata (Argentina)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 548 prices entered by 75 different people.

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Currency:
Food | + 47% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 47% more expensive than in Mar del Plata (Argentina) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Chicago, Illinois | Mar del Plata | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $22 (ARS $22,834) | ARS $15,217 | + 50% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 (ARS $12,630) | ARS $11,248 | + 12% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $6 (ARS $6,468) | ARS $3,275 | + 97% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.83 (ARS $879) | ARS $1,682 | - 48% | |
12 eggs, large | $3.96 (ARS $4,174) | ARS $5,065 | - 18% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.30 (ARS $4,527) | ARS $3,010 | + 50% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $5.76 (ARS $6,064) | ARS $8,108 | - 25% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.94 (ARS $4,155) | ARS $2,138 | + 94% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.82 (ARS $1,916) | ARS $3,397 | - 44% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $4.16 (ARS $4,386) | ARS $1,761 | + 149% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15 (ARS $15,614) | ARS $8,623 | + 81% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | $2.84 (ARS $2,993) | ARS $3,148 | - 5% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.90 (ARS $3,056) | ARS $490 | + 523% | |
Housing | + 155% | |||
Housing in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 155% more expensive than in Mar del Plata (Argentina) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Chicago, Illinois | Mar del Plata | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,884 (ARS $3,038,566) | ARS $1,013,170 | + 200% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,285 (ARS $2,408,006) | ARS $612,047 | + 293% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $148 (ARS $155,697) | ARS $150,477 | + 3% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,789 (ARS $1,885,010) | ARS $757,015 | + 149% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,512 (ARS $1,592,958) | ARS $444,105 | + 259% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $104 (ARS $109,963) | ARS $84,426 | + 30% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $61 (ARS $64,624) | ARS $34,097 | + 90% | |
40” flat screen tv | $258 (ARS $272,304) | ARS $707,480 | - 62% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $193 (ARS $203,212) | ARS $333,929 | - 39% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $9 (ARS $9,092) | ARS $9,244 | - 2% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | $40 (ARS $42,344) | ARS $5,169 | + 719% | |
Clothes | - 39% | |||
Clothes in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 39% cheaper than in Mar del Plata (Argentina) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Chicago, Illinois | Mar del Plata | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $52 (ARS $55,280) | ARS $114,430 | - 52% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $49 (ARS $51,818) | ARS $85,172 | - 39% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $92 (ARS $96,580) | ARS $138,311 | - 30% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $122 (ARS $128,868) | ARS $139,744 | - 8% | |
Transportation | + 26% | |||
Transportation in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 26% more expensive than in Mar del Plata (Argentina) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Chicago, Illinois | Mar del Plata | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $27,072 (ARS $28,523,706) | ARS $27,715,400 | + 3% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.05 (ARS $1,106) | ARS $1,396 | - 21% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | $75 (ARS $79,021) | ARS $59,166 | + 34% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $20 (ARS $21,058) | ARS $4,438 | + 374% | |
Personal Care | + 80% | |||
Personal Care in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 80% more expensive than in Mar del Plata (Argentina) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Chicago, Illinois | Mar del Plata | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $10 (ARS $10,185) | ARS $11,794 | - 14% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $44 (ARS $46,164) | ARS $5,030 | + 818% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $127 (ARS $134,092) | ARS $20,368 | + 558% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (ARS $7,580) | ARS $3,231 | + 135% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.19 (ARS $4,410) | ARS $10,000 | - 56% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $6 (ARS $6,428) | ARS $2,021 | + 218% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.62 (ARS $3,817) | ARS $2,796 | + 36% | |
Tube of toothpaste | $1.76 (ARS $1,854) | ARS $3,553 | - 48% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $37 (ARS $39,196) | ARS $12,377 | + 217% | |
Entertainment | + 305% | |||
Entertainment in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 305% more expensive than in Mar del Plata (Argentina) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Chicago, Illinois | Mar del Plata | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $70 (ARS $73,566) | ARS $27,109 | + 171% | |
2 tickets to the movies | $29 (ARS $30,680) | ARS $10,433 | + 194% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $236 (ARS $248,323) | ARS $35,000 | + 609% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $95 (ARS $100,215) | ARS $49,867 | + 101% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $16 (ARS $16,520) | ARS $11,304 | + 46% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.14 (ARS $5,413) | ARS $3,868 | + 40% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $7 (ARS $7,722) | ARS $6,858 | + 13% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $619 (ARS $651,885) | ARS $187,796 | + 247% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $1.21 (ARS $1,278) | ARS $3.82 | + 33343% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | $50 (ARS $52,633) | ARS $39,734 | + 32% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $15 (ARS $16,121) | ARS $3,714 | + 334% | |
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TOTAL | + 85% |

These prices were last updated on February 08, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1053.620
ARS
/
USD
*
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For example, you would need at least ARS $5,079,616 ($4,821) in Chicago, Illinois to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with ARS $2,740,000 in Mar del Plata.
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Prices recently added
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