The Cost of Living in Argentina | Money in Argentina

This blog post will show you how much money I spent in Argentina, and what is the cost of living in Buenos Aires and Córdoba.

I spent the entire year of 2022 in the country of Argentina, with the first three months living between Buenos Aires and Córdoba. I wanted to keep track of spending to have a better idea of what living there long-term would look like.

I’m going to share with you what the cost of living in Argentina was like during that time and show you how much things have changed in 2.5 years, from 2022 to 2024/5.

To do this, I used an app called Trail Wallet. I kept track of every peso I spent for three months, from each empanada to metro card recharge to dinner out. I want to share what I spent with you in case you too are planning a trip to Argentina, whether it be short or long-term. (Trail Wallet no longer exists. I now use an app called TravelSpend, which is very similar.)

I’ll discuss the similarities between the two biggest cities in Argentina and how much food, beauty, eating out, drinking out, accommodation, etc. costs here.

Make sure to create a Western Union account before you go to Argentina, and read my post all about why Western Union is the best choice.

Note: All prices listed here were from the year 2022. Inflation moves quickly in Argentina, and these peso prices do not reflect the current peso prices. While in Argentina, keep an eye on the blue dollar rate every day.

Nicki on YouTube: How to Get the Blue Dollar Rate

If you prefer to watch rather than read, check out my video on YouTube, where I talk about the cost of living in Argentina, and explain how you can get the best blue dollar rate.

[UPDATE: As of mid-December, 2022 foreign tourists can now use their foreign credit card in Argentina, and receive the ‘tourist dollar,’ (MEP rate) which is slightly less than the blue dollar. ]

The Official Peso Rate vs. The Blue Dollar Rate

The first thing to understand about Argentina is the money. Argentina suffers from high inflation, and this has resulted in two main currency exchange rates (plus one for credit cards, MEP).

I’m going to explain these rates as simply as possible, as well as explain how to get access to your money, in order to help you better understand the cost of living in Argentina. The unfortunate reality though is that the cost of living in Argentina has increased a lot in the past few years.

The two main rates are the Dólar Oficial (Official Dollar, sometimes called red) and the Dólar Blue (blue dollar). The MEP rate is what you will receive when using your international credit card. It is similar to that of the blue dollar.

Official Dollar in Argentina

The official dollar is the official exchange rate. It is the exchange rate you’ll see on xe.com. As of September 2024, $1 USD = 942 pesos.

You will receive this rate by:
Taking money out of an atm
Exchanging money at the airport

The Blue Dollar in Argentina

The dolar blue or blue dollar is the unofficial exchange rate. This rate fluctuates every day. When I first arrived to Argentina in January 2022, the blue dollar rate was at 208 pesos to $ 1 USD. Then it went up to $217. On the day I left in mid April, it was $191.

In April 2022, the official rate was $1 USD = 114 pesos. The dollar blue (blue dollar rate) was about double that of the official, which means paying in cash gets you half off.

As of September 2024, the two rates have equalized a bit more, with the official rate being about 942 pesos, and the blue dollar at 1220 pesos. As of January 2025, the official rate is at 1059, and the blue is still sitting around 1220.

You will receive this rate by:
Paying in cash

Explaining the Blue Dollar

For simplicity’s sake, I’m going to assume the official rate is an even $100 and the dolar blue is an even $200 to $1 USD for the following example. Those were the true rates in 2022.

Let’s say you went to dinner and the total comes out to $4000 pesos. You decide to pay with your credit card. You would be charged $40 USD. But then your friend is like, hold up, don’t pay with a credit card in Argentina, silly. So you put away your Visa and pull out that cash you just got from Western Union. You put down $4000 in cash, which is now $20 USD. You just saved half of your money.

Unfortunately, in 2025 the blue dollar no longer saves you half. Using the example above, if the dinner was 40,000 pesos ($40), paying the official rate (money from the ATM) the price would be about $37. If you pay with cash you exchanged on the blue dollar, the price would be $33. If you pay with a credit card, the price would be $34.

As you can see the prices are now all much more similar than they were just a few short years ago.

The MEP RATE in Argentina

In December 2022, Argentina made an agreement with several international credit card companies. Before December 2022, paying with an international credit card would automatically get you the official rate. Things have since become easier.

Now when you pay with your international credit card, you will be charged the MEP rate. As of January 2025, here are the main exchange rates:

• MEP rate is 1167 pesos
• Blue dollar rate is at 1225 pesos
• Official rate is 1059 pesos

As you can see, the MEP rate is much closer to the blue dollar rate, which makes using your Visa and getting those points much more appealing. You no longer have to rely solely on having cash money.

Receiving the MEP rate

There is a difference between each international credit card. Visa and Mastercard automatically charge you for the MEP rate of the day, whereas American Express initially charges you for the official rate, and then refunds you the difference after a few weeks.

I suggest contacting your bank before heading to Argentina to get an idea of what they will do so you will not have any surprises when it comes to using your credit card.

How to get the Blue Dollar Rate

Being able to get the blue dollar is necessary in order to keep the cost of living in Argentina slightly lower. So now that you understand how both the red dollar and blue dollar rate work, and you understand that paying in cash will keep costs lower, the next step is to know HOW to get that blue exchange rate. There are a few ways:

Arbolista

This is what someone is called who deals with the exchange in the blue dollar. If you ask an Argentinian friend, there is a 100% chance they have a friend who is an arbolista and will connect you. Make sure to bring crisp $100 bills with the big Benjamin face (the newer bills). They often will not exchange smaller or older bills.

Cambio Cambio

Maybe you just arrived in Argentina and have no connections and no Argentinean friends, but you still need to exchange money. You can go to the microcentro of the city you’re in (Calle Florida if in Buenos Aires, zona peatonal in Cordoba) and look around for people saying “cambio, cambio.

These people will exchange on the dólar blue. Personally, I think this is the least secure way, but I know that for some people it is their only option.

Therefore, I would take these steps to protect yourself:

1. Ask the rate they will exchange before following them inside.
2. Verify how much you have to exchange & the total that you will receive in pesos.
3. Count each bill out loud, one by one. “Cien, doscientos, trescientos,” etc.
4. Film the entire transaction (I know this sounds extreme but it will help you to avoid being scammed. It doesn’t happen often, but it can happen. Since you don’t have any personal connections to this person, it is better to be cautious).

Western Union

Personally I think this is the best, most secure, most comfortable, and safest option. Create an account with Western Union. Connect your bank account and/or credit card. Downloading the app will make things much easier. Transfer yourself the money. Then go into a WU branch (there are several) and simply pick up your money.

I wrote a blog post about how to open your Western Union account step-by-step if you need some help with this.

Going to Argentina soon? Get Ready at a glance:

Get travel medical insurance with SafetyWing.
Book your stay with Booking.com.
Check Flights with Skyscanner or Hopper.
Rent a car with RentalCars.com or Discover Cars.
Download the Airalo app and get an Argentine eSIM.
Purchase the Ultimate Buenos Aires guidebook.
See all my Argentina guides on the Thatch app.
Take a tour with GetYourGuide or Viator.
Have a 1:1 consultation with me in advance!

Tips & Things to note about the Western Union

1. Do a Google search to find available Western Union fee codes.
2. It takes 3-5 days to receive a transfer from your bank account.
3. Transfers from credit cards are instantaneous, but your credit card company will likely charge a fee. Mine charges $10 USD.
4. Bring your passport and the transfer code (MCTN).
5. If you go to a smaller branch, you must bring a photocopy of your passport.
6. Go straight home and drop off your cash. Because of inflation, you will receive a lot of bills that will likely not fit in your wallet. Don’t make yourself a target.

Money in Argentina: The Buenos Aires Breakdown

Okay great, now we understand money in Argentina and how to get access to the Dollar Blue. Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of the cost of living in Argentina. I’ll break it down by the one month I spent in Buenos Aires, and the two months I spent in Córdoba Capital in 2022.

There are also lots of free things to do in Buenos Aires if you want to save money.

[Get my Ultimate 10-day Buenos Aires itinerary here]

How much I spent in Buenos Aires

In one month in Buenos Aires in 2022, I spent a total of $735 USD including rent. Without counting rent, I spent an average of $10.82 USD/day ($335.38/31 days). I’ll break this down into categories (in USD based on the blue dollar rate):

RENT: $400
FOOD: $231.17
TRANSPORT: $39.61
ENTERTAINMENT: $5.73
SUNDRIES: $0.49
MISCELLANEOUS: $0.97
PHONE CREDIT: $14.76
DRINKING/GOING OUT: $42.67

Unfortunately, these prices in 2025 have increased, particularly for food.

If you’re looking for long-term housing in Buenos Aires, take a look at this blog post.

How much do things cost in Buenos Aires?

Now let’s break it down further. How much do things really cost (on average)? Here are a few examples of the things I purchased throughout the month in 2022:

Food in Buenos Aires

(prices at restaurants are including 10% tip)

• Street Empanadas (3): $1 ($200p)
• Ceviche at Soho Market: $3.88 ($800p)
• Chicken breast with mashed potatoes: $4.13 ($850p)
• Avocado Toast in Villa Crespo: $4.08 ($840p)
• Ojo de bife steak with wine: $9.71 ($2000)
• Vegetables from a verduleria: $8.09 ($1667p)
• Milanesa Napolitana with fries: $6.41 ($1320p)
• Choripan with fries in La Boca: $3.64 ($750p)
• Big supermarket shop: $19.85 ($4090p)
• Cafe con Leche w/ 2 media lunas: $1.12 ($230p)

If you’re looking at this in 2025, you should expect to double or nearly the prices (in USD) of each item listed above.

Wondering what to eat in Buenos Aires? I wrote a whole post on the traditional food in Buenos Aires.

Transportation in Buenos Aires

• Taxi from Congreso to Aeroparque: $3.40 ($700p)
• Taxi from Palermo to Congreso apt: $2.72 ($560)
• Subte card loaded with credit: $1.07 ($220p)
• Subte card reload: $2.43 ($500p)

In 2025, the minimum price of a bus ride is 700 pesos (0.70 USD), and the price of the subte is 750 pesos (0.75 USD).

I wrote a full blog post about transportation in Buenos Aires here.

Entertainment in Buenos Aires

• Evita Museum: $3.49 ($720p)
• Playing Cards: $1.75 ($360p)

Museums have become much more expensive these days. Expect to double these prices in USD.

Sundries in Buenos Aires

• Bandaids: $0.49 ($100p)

Phone Credit in Buenos Aires

• Sim Card with 30 days of credit: $5.82 ($1200p)
• Recharge: $6.02 ($1240p)

Phone credit prices (in USD) will be relatively the same in 2025. The price of a tourist package in 2025 is $15 which includes the SIM card (or ESim) plus 25Gb of data at the Claro store.

Drinking/Going out in Buenos Aires

• Craft beer at Soho Market (x2): $4.27 ($880p)
• Craft beer in Palermo (x2): $3.40 ($700p)
• Cocktail in Palermo: $4.37 ($900p)

In 2025, these prices have doubled. Beers are now around $5 each, and cocktails cost around $8-10.

Going to Argentina soon? Get Ready at a glance:

Get travel medical insurance with SafetyWing.
Book your stay with Booking.com.
Check Flights with Skyscanner or Hopper.
Rent a car with RentalCars.com or Discover Cars.
Download the Airalo app and get an Argentine eSIM.
Purchase the Ultimate Buenos Aires guidebook.
See all my Argentina guides on the Thatch app.
Take a tour with GetYourGuide or Viator.
Have a 1:1 consultation with me in advance!

Money in Argentina: The Córdoba Breakdown

Córdoba is Argentina’s second biggest city. It’s less chaotic than Buenos Aires but still has all the city conveniences. There are a lot of things to do in Córdoba. The cost of living in Argentina (in Cordoba) is slightly less expensive than in Buenos Aires, but not by much. But you can still maintain a low cost of living in Argentina by living here.

How much I spent in Córdoba in two months

In two months in Cordoba (in 2022), I spent a total of $1067 including 6 weeks of rent (I stayed at a friend’s house the first two weeks). Without counting rent, I spent an average of $11.94 USD/day ($692.63/58 days). I’ll break this down into categories (in USD based on the dólar blue):

RENT: $375 (6 weeks)
TRAVEL ACCOMMODATION: $54.36 (two nights in Villa Belgrano)
FOOD: $348.87
TRANSPORT: $16.60
ENTERTAINMENT: $1.21
SUNDRIES: $13.98
MISCELLANEOUS: $66.31
BEAUTIFICATION: $58.78
CLOTHING: $75.67
PHONE CREDIT: $9:56
DRINKING/GOING OUT: $47.28

Most of these items have increased in 2025, particularly for food and drinks.

How much do things cost in Córdoba?

Now let’s break it down further. How much do things really cost (on average)? Here are a few examples of the things I purchased during two months in Cordoba.

Food in Córdoba

(prices at restaurants include a 10% tip)

• Street Empanadas (3): $1.31 ($270p)
• Chinese food delivery: $7.28 ($1500p)
• Brunch in Córdoba: $4.37 (900p)
• Asado: $8.25 ($1700p)
• Vegetables from a verduleria: $4.61 ($950p)
• Choripan at street fair: $2.67 ($550p)
• Medium supermarket shop: $9.32 ($1920p)
• Lunch at Fazzio Fish Market: $12.14 ($2500p)
• Cafe con Leche w/ 2 media lunas: $1.65 ($340p)

In 2025, the prices (in USD) for the above items have doubled.

Transportation in Córdoba

• Roundtrip bus between La Cumbrecita/Villa Belgrano: $4.66 ($960p)
• Roundtrip bus between Cordoba/Villa Belgrano: $5.44 ($1120p)
• Taxi from party to apt: $2.43 ($500)
• Subte card reload: $0.97 ($200p)

Transportation prices haven’t fully doubled in 2025 but they have increased.

Entertainment in Córdoba

• Museum: $1.21 ($250p)

Sundries in Córdoba

• Face wash: $11.65 ($2400p)
• Tampons: $2.33 ($480p)

Phone Credit in Córdoba

• Recharge: $6.31 ($1300p)

Drinking/Going out in Córdoba

• Craft beer: $2.14 ($440p)
• Beer and wine for dinner party: $4.61 ($950p)
• Two Bottles of wine: $2.91 ($600p)

In 2025, all of these prices have doubled.

Clothing in Córdoba

• Fake Converse: $10.68 ($2200p)
• Hiking socks (x2): $12.14 (2500p)
• Ring at a market: $4.85 ($1000p)
• Hat at a market: $11.65 ($2400p)
• Several items from a vintage clothing market: $4.85 ($1000p)
• Black skirt: $15.48 ($3190p)

Clothing prices have also doubled, or in some cases tripled, as of 2025.

Beauty in Córdoba

• Depilación lasesr hair removal (full leg, feet, armpit): $8.74 ($1800p)
• Depilación lasesr hair removal (full leg, bikini, armpit): $13.59 ($2800p)
• Semi-permanent Hair Straightening: $12.14 ($2500p)
• Nail polish and overcoat: $12.66 ($2609p)

Prices for services in 2025 have increased but not that much. You can expect to pay slightly higher than the prices you see listed above.

Miscelleaneous in Córdoba

• Laundry: $3.88 ($800p)
• Powerbank: $14.56 ($3000p)

Final Thoughts about Money in Argentina

After three full months in Argentina, between Buenos Aires and Cordoba, I spent a grand total of $1802. However I did buy a $90 flight from Buenos Aires to Córdoba, so the real total is: $1892. That is an average of $630/month, including rent.

Most people in the United States are paying more than $1892 for just one month of rent, not including any of the other extras. When people ask how I can afford to live abroad, well, now you know.

The unfortunate reality now is that Argentina has become a very expensive country, particularly when it comes to food and drinks. The cost of living in Argentina has gone up a lot. I think if it continues this way, it will become a less desirable place for tourists. If it is this difficult to afford things as a tourist, I can only imagine how difficult it must be for the locals.

Make your Western Union Account and we’ll both get a $20 gift card to Amazon.

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