Back in late 2023, tourists were flocking to Buenos Aires, the cosmopolitan capital city of “one of the most affordable countries,” according to international newspapers. Tourists and digital nomads were taking advantage of a high quality of life for a low price tag. 

The cost of living in Argentina back then meant you could rent a comfortable, well-located apartment on Airbnb for $600 a month, have a full dinner at a good restaurant for $20 per person, and pay $20 for a fine bottle of malbec.

That has changed dramatically over the last year. The parallel exchange rates that made those absurdly cheap stays possible have aligned more closely with the official rate, and while inflation has been severely reduced in 2025, it certainly drove up prices of items in pesos.

It’s important to note that the old pricing that was so cheap for tourists was not low priced for locals. As the prices have risen significantly, many locals are now struggling to make ends meet, and poverty in the country has skyrocketed. 

For international visitors, this may mean some pretty serious sticker shock when they get to the supermarket only to find that prices are, in many cases, pretty similar to the United States or Europe.

As such, we’ve compiled a few key prices to give you an idea of what to expect in Buenos Aires. Exchange rates and pricing in Argentina are evolving constantly — and often unpredictably. If you’re traveling within the country, you should also bear in mind that prices can be even higher in tourist areas like Patagonia. 

Accommodation

• Airbnb apartments in touristy spots range between US$70 a night for a one-bedroom in upscale Puerto Madero to US$30 in typical old-quarter San Telmo. In trendy Palermo or Recoleta you’ll pay around US$45 a night for a one-bedroom. 
  
• A four-star hotel in Puerto Madero will cost you around US$150 a night, while there are budget options available for about US$75. 
  
• Hostels in touristy spots run for about US$20 a night in a shared dorm room or US$50 for a private room.
  

Food

• Grocery store prices are around AR$1,635 (US$1.60 at the official rate, $1.40 at the MEP rate) for bread, AR$1,500 for a liter of milk, AR$2,000 for a half dozen eggs, AR$1,500 for a 500-gram bag of pasta, AR$2,000 for a kilo of rice, vegetables such as carrots are about AR$1,700 per kilo, and around AR$13,600 per kilo of steak.
  
• Dining out prices have increased significantly, with a pizza at a mid-range restaurant going for about AR$20,000 and a burger costing about AR$10,000. A beer is around AR$3,500, a mid-range glass of wine about AR$5,000, or a bottle for around AR$20,000. Many restaurants have lunch menus that include a beverage, dessert, and coffee for about AR$15,000.
  
• If you’re looking for a fancier meal, such as at a nice steak house, expect to pay about AR$24,000 to AR$50,000 for a steak. Many restaurants don’t advertise their prices because they change so much, and menus are usually only via QR codes due to fluctuating costs.
  
• Picking up a coffee will be about AR$4,000, and a medialuna about AR$3,000. If these prices seem comparable to the U.S. or Europe, that’s because they are.

Entertainment

• Cinema tickets are between AR$5,000 and AR$12,000. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays are generally cheaper, and most Multiplex chains offer 50% discounts with specific credit cards, digital wallets, or club memberships.  
  
• If you’re looking for a tango show with dinner, expect to pay around AR$90,000. 
  
• Corrientes street in the heart of the city is lined with theaters offering everything from dramas to musicals to stand-up comedy. To see a show, it will cost you around ARS $30,000.
  
• Well-known bands often stop by Buenos Aires on their tours, and tickets range from AR$50,000 to AR$100,000 depending on the show.

Transport

• Pricing for transportation across Argentina has increased as well, however it still remains considerably cheaper if you compare the cost to other countries. Public transportation in the city of Buenos Aires such as the bus, subway or train will typically cost you between AR$300 and AR$800 one way. Bus prices tend to be much higher in the provinces.
  
• Using a ride share app like Uber is still relatively affordable in Buenos Aires as well, a 10-minute Uber drive will cost you about AR$4,000 and a half hour drive around AR$9,000.
  
• Flights from Buenos Aires to top destinations like Bariloche tend to be around AR$80,000 one way for the base fare, Iguazú is also about AR$80,000, and Salta around AR$120,000. 
  

Other amenities and long-term stays

• Co-working spaces have ticked up significantly in price as well. You’re looking at paying around AR$20,000 a day or AR$75,000 a week. If you’ve got your eye on open access for the full month, it will cost you about AR$160,000.
  
• Gym memberships will cost you anywhere from AR$30,000 to AR$60,000 a month or AR$430,000 to $600,000 a year, depending on the location and amenities.
  
• If you’re planning on staying a little longer in Buenos Aires, it’s worth noting that utility bills have risen significantly as well, but they’re typically cheaper than prices in the U.S. or Europe. 
  
• Year-long rental contracts aimed at expats or digital nomads tend to run between US$850 and US$1,050 per month for a furnished one-bedroom apartment, and often utility and wifi costs are included in the price.

So, is Argentina still a “cheap” destination? The fifty cent medialunas and dollar coffees are a thing of the past, and while the pricing has definitely gone up, the value for money ratio is still worth making a trip. Especially when compared to other major Latin American cities, Buenos Aires’ remains among the best choices, offering a teeming cultural life, a vibrant football scene, and — yes — steak and wine that are beyond compare.