Compare the cost of your home country to the actual living costs in Chile, simply select your home currency and see the difference!
All data is kept up to date by local members and actual students. Our latest update was on: 30th of June 2020
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Food | Price in $ | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
12 eggs dozen, large | 12.50 CLP | |||
1 beer pint in local shops, markets | 7 CLP | |||
1 kg of tomatoes | 8.50 CLP | |||
Full chicken 2kg | 38.75 CLP | |||
1litre 100% fruit juice | 8.50 CLP | |||
1 package of cigarettes imported brands | 25 CLP | |||
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 7.50 CLP | |||
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 48.95 CLP | |||
2.5 liters of Coca-Cola | 0.95 CLP | |||
1 Bread loaf standard | 9.50 CLP | |||
Whole fat Yogurt. 500ml | 12 CLP | |||
1x6 pack Dardanelle tuna | 18.50 CLP | |||
Heinz baked beans 1 tin | 8 CLP | |||
1.5 kg Sugar | 10 CLP | |||
2 liter cooking oil | 20 CLP | |||
Yum-yum noodles per pack | 2.00 CLP | |||
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 5.50 CLP | |||
1 liter milk | 8.50 CLP | |||
Fast food restaurant large serving/ take away | 25 CLP | |||
Housing | ||||
Utilities per month (water, electricity, gas) for 2 people in flat | 165 CLP | |||
Wi-Fi monthly fee 8 Mbps (1 month) | 145 CLP | |||
Laundry detergent (bleach, sunlight liquid, washing surf… altogether) | 58.50 CLP | |||
House Cleaning fee per day | 105 CLP | |||
Large Gas heater price range upwards. | 200 CLP | |||
Original branded Electric Fans | 200 CLP | |||
Original branded Electric kettle. | 120 CLP | |||
40 inches Beko flat screen HD TV set | 2000 CLP | |||
Single bed Blankets | 120 CLP | |||
Personal Care | ||||
Avon for women and men cologne | 100 CLP | |||
Ladies hair plaiting. | 60 CLP | |||
Ladies Sanitaryware (Pads and Tampoons) | 18 CLP | |||
Men's haircut | 40 CLP | |||
Ibuprofen, Panadol, Grandpa Pain killers box of 12 dosses | 24.50 CLP | |||
Mobile package local network providers’ talk-time, data and messages | 65 CLP | |||
1 month of gym subscription. | 105 CLP | |||
Earphones original (Samsung. iPhone) | 90 CLP | |||
Unisex Loris perfume | 30 CLP | |||
Gadgets maintenance and repairs (cellphone, laptops, tablets...) starting price. | 100 CLP | |||
Smart phones (Samsung, Xiaomi, HTC, IPhone) price range upwards | 1000 CLP | |||
Laptops (Samsung, Lenovo, Hp, Monster, Dell etc.) price range upwards | 3000 CLP | |||
Entertainment | ||||
Boat cruise with refreshments and finger snacks | 120 CLP | |||
Go carting 30mins | 120 CLP | |||
Movie House 3d cinema | 30 CLP | |||
Summer Festivals (jet, bumper cars, lucky deep ...(per ticket) | 15 CLP | |||
Photo shoot | 120 CLP | |||
Cappuccino / expresso/ coffee | 12.50 CLP | |||
3 course dinner local restaurant two people | 96.50 CLP | |||
3 course dinner classy, exotic restaurant two people | 150 CLP | |||
Play station 4 console without games. | 2000 CLP | |||
Spalding Basketball | 200 CLP | |||
Original branded Racket and Wilson’s tennis balls | 500 CLP | |||
Transportation | ||||
Taxi fare on average 5-10km | 45 CLP | |||
Public transport per trip one way maximum fare | 30 CLP | |||
1 liter petrol/diesel | 6.50 CLP | |||
1 day rent a car cost | 140 CLP | |||
Driver’s license | 2300 CLP | |||
Clothes | ||||
1 pair of jeans (Denim or similar) | 150 CLP | |||
1 pair of men’s formal shoes | 215 CLP | |||
1 pair original sport/casual shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | 280 CLP | |||
1 classy summer dress (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | 135.79 CLP | |||
Ladies formal shoes original and durable | 120 CLP | |||
Back-pack, gym bag (Nike, Adidas, New balance) | 150 CLP |
The cost of living in Chile has nothing to do with its neighboring countries such as Peru or Bolivia. Indeed, if you plan to study here, make sure you have a sufficient budget because, contrary to common thinking, the cost of living is almost similar to western countries by comparison. The average salary in Chile is US$ 750 but it is difficult to live with this amount of money in Santiago, the capital for example.
We give you below an overview of the cost of living in Chile, taking Santiago as the reference. If you live in a provincial city, you can easily reduce your budget by 35%, especially on the housing part, much cheaper.
Accommodation
Chile boasts a range of accommodation options for students and tourists, and even top-quality housing tends to be affordable when compared to other major destinations. Buying and renting prices in the country are among the cheapest in Latin America, and a construction boom yielding sleek skyscrapers and an array of housing developments mean that standards are not sacrificed even in the face of lower costs. There is also plenty of opportunities for young singles to negotiate incredibly cheap shared housing, either with a Chilean family or in a furnished space with other students.
Groceries
The cost of food here registers as cheap on a global scale but more expensive than in neighboring South American countries like Peru and Argentina. Buying seasonal fruits and vegetables from the large central markets is the best way to save money and to sample the local flavors. Supermarket prices are slightly higher, and eating out and buying imported food items can be slightly costly.
Transport
Chile boasts on urban infrastructure and its systems of public transport are well connected and affordable. The country's major modes of transit are buses and the metro, both of which are efficient, safe, and economical. However, taxis are more expensive and the drivers are notorious for overcharging foreigners, so students should do their best to negotiate a reasonable fee or use a ride-hailing service that charges standardized rates.
Schooling
Public schools in Chile tend to provide a lower standard of education than expats might be used to, and the curriculum is usually taught entirely in Spanish. Thus most students prefer Chilean private schools but fees for these institutions can be very expensive compared to public schools.
Cost of living in Chile chart
Prices may vary across Chile, depending on the product and service provider. The list below shows average prices for Santiago (the capital city of Chile) in April 2020.
One-bedroom apartment in the city centre | CLP 350,000 - 500,000 | Accommodation |
One-bedroom apartment outside of the city centre | CLP 280,000 - 320,000 | Accommodation |
Three-bedroom apartment in the city centre | CLP 600,000 - 700,000 | Accommodation |
Three-bedroom apartment outside of the city centre | CLP 500,000 - 600,000 | Accommodation |
Eggs (dozen) | CLP 1,940 | Shopping |
Milk (1 litre) | CLP 760 | Shopping |
Rice (1kg) | CLP 835 | Shopping |
Loaf of white bread | CLP 1,380 | Shopping |
Chicken breasts (1kg) | CLP 3,970 | Shopping |
Pack of cigarettes | CLP 4,100 | Shopping |
Big Mac Meal | CLP 4,600 | Eating out |
Coca-Cola (330ml) | CLP 870 | Eating out |
Cappuccino | CLP 2,000 | Eating out |
Bottle of local beer | CLP 3,000 | Eating out |
Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant | CLP 35,000 | Eating out |
Mobile-to-mobile call rate (per minute) | CLP 125 | Utilities |
Internet (per month) | CLP 27,000 | Utilities |
Basic utilities (per month for a small apartment) | CLP 90,000 | Utilities |
Taxi rate (per kilometer) | CLP 1,000 | Transport |
Bus/train fare in the city centre | CLP 800 | Transport |
Petrol/gasoline (per litre) | CLP 830 | Transport |