Thinking of Moving to Buenos Aires as a Digital Nomad? Be Prepared for Western European Prices

Hey everyone,

I wanted to share a realistic take on the cost of living in Buenos Aires for digital nomads. If you’ve seen outdated blog posts or YouTube videos saying it’s a cheap paradise, that’s no longer the case. Prices here are now on par with Western Europe, and in some cases, even higher.

Here are some real-world price examples:

💰 Everyday Expenses

• Gym (nice, but not luxury): €70-90/month (and many exclude pool access, which costs €20+ extra).
• Yogurt (small cup): €1.50 to €3.
• Long-life milk (1L, cheapest option): €1.40.
• Local pasta brands (500g): €1-2, but if you want Barilla or another global brand: €6-8.
• Chicken breast (per kg): €13, while in Barcelona, Lidl sells it for €6-7/kg.
• Coffee in a random café: €3+, often reaching €4-5.
• Beer in many neighbourhoods (not just Palermo): €6-7 for 0.5L.
• Pizza or a simple Italian dish: €14-20 just for a main course.
• Breakfast "offers" (coffee + sandwich) at places like Havanna: €10.
• Empanada at a “mercado” in a less premium zone: €3 per piece. Small quiche: €10+.

🍔 Eating Out

• The best price-to-quality ratio is probably for burgers, as beef remains reasonably priced. But even then, a burger with a side will still cost around €10, which is fair but not "cheap".

🏠 Rentals

• You can find a decent 1-bedroom apartment in Palermo (in a building with no extra amenities) for $800-1000 USD, but you’ll need luck and negotiation skills.
• If you’re not careful, landlords will push for $1200+ USD (incl. expenses) for a decent but not luxury studio or 1-bedroom in a good area (via AirBnb).

🛒 There’s No Real "Budget" Shopping Option
Unlike in many other countries, you can’t save much by shopping at smaller stores or "budget" supermarket chains. These prices aren’t from some high-end luxury supermarket—they’re from a mix of Disco, Día, Carrefour, and Chinese corner shops. No matter where you go, prices are more or less the same, so you don’t get the usual advantage of finding cheaper alternatives by shopping in local markets or discount stores.

💡 The Bottom Line
The blue dollar rate still exists, but landlords and businesses have adjusted their pricing, so don’t expect a low-cost lifestyle just because you earn in USD. Difference between an official blue dollar rate is as per today and what my card provider charges me is around 15% (Revolut exchange rate 1081 pesos for 1 EUR vs 1250 pesos the unofficial rate.

I’ve been living in Barcelona for the past few years, and while prices there have also risen, at least you get premium products and services for the price you pay. Here in Buenos Aires, you can live a decent life, but nowhere close to a luxury lifestyle while paying similar amounts to Barcelona.

Buenos Aires is still an amazing city—great energy, nightlife, and culture—but if you’re coming here expecting to save money, think twice. There are better options in South America if affordability is a top priority.

Would love to hear from others currently living here—how are you finding the cost of living lately?