Cost of living in Chile: Food, transport, and more

Chile ranks among the top Latin American countries to live in, thanks to political and economic stability. Despite the high cost of living compared to neighbouring countries, it attracts foreigners year after year, drawn by prosperity and its high Human Development Index.

Do you want to move to Chile? This country has everything you need for happiness: A high-level healthcare system, renowned universities, job and business opportunities, diverse climate and culture. But how much does it cost to live here? On average, you’ll need about $1,500 (€1,440) monthly to live comfortably in Santiago (the most expensive city), covering housing, food, transport, internet, healthcare and leisure.

That’s similar to Mexico City’s cost of living. In this post we break down all the factors influencing Chile’s living costs. 

Stay with us to discover details and see if your income allows you to maintain your lifestyle as a student, digital nomad, remote worker or frequent traveller.

Average cost of housing in Chile The first and largest expense within Chile’s living costs is housing rent. Prices differ across houses, apartments, studios, rooms or coliving spaces, and vary depending on the city where you settle long-term or short-term. This is the list of the most expensive and cheapest cities to live in Chile:

Most expensive and cheapest cities to live in Chile.

Accommodation prices in Santiago

Santiago leads the list of the most expensive cities in Chile and Latin America. It’s the country’s most industrial and economic hub, so both locals and foreigners want to move here for opportunities and quality of life. Now let’s compare several accommodation prices in this city so you get an idea of the maximum costs when moving to Chile.

Cost of living in Chile: Accommodation prices

Cost of living in Chile: Monthly food prices

In Chile you’ll find international supermarkets (Líder and Tottus) and large national chains (Jumbo and Unimarc). A monthly estimate for essentials, vegetables and fruit ranges $300–400 (€288–384), depending on your eating habits. Below, you’ll find a list of essential kitchen items and their prices:

Basic product prices in Chilean supermarkets.

If cooking isn’t your thing and you prefer enjoying local food at restaurants or markets, consider it only occasionally. Prices don’t make it profitable for your monthly budget.

Dining costs in Chile.

Tips to save on food

• Cook at home to control consumption and spending.
• Take advantage of seasonal foods, usually cheaper and fresher.
• Buy at local markets and fairs. In regions like Parinacota and Arica, fairs sell vegetables up to 70% cheaper, like onions.
• If you live with roomies, plan joint shopping. If you split expenses, you’ll save part of your budget and have extra for other treats.

Transport in Chile: Costs and options

Chile offers several ways to get around, especially in big cities. Prices vary depending on the type of transport and distance. Let’s go through the most important ones:

Options and prices for moving around Chile.

Car prices are also high, plus petrol is among Latin America’s most expensive at $1.38 (€1.31) per litre and $5.20 (€4.97) per gallon. Currently, the cheapest brand-new car in 2024, also the best-selling, is the Japanese Suzuki Alto, priced around $10,000 (€9,601).

Healthcare costs in Chile

As a newcomer in Chile, you must know regular migrants can access the National Health Fund (FONASA) for public care and ISAPRE for private care. Anyone choosing these services contributes 7% of monthly income, whether employed or self-employed.

Although healthcare quality in Chile is high, adapting to a new system takes time. If you’re a digital nomad, student, or remote worker temporarily staying, it’s better to arrive with international health insurance in Chile. It’ll cover you while you adapt to lifestyle, climate, and paperwork, so if you suffer traveller’s sickness, you’re covered.

Here are some healthcare costs in Chile, so you consider private insurance in advance:

Cost of private health services in Chile

Connectivity in Chile: Internet and mobile plans

Regarding connectivity, Chile has several mobile providers with competitive prices: Movistar, Entel, Claro, and WOM. For rural areas, Movistar and Entel are recommended since they offer broader national coverage and 5G technology, though pricier. WOM has lower tariffs.

Phone plans and providers in Chile.

Connectivity in Chile: Internet Price

For fixed internet, Movistar, Claro, and Entel also offer a variety, including “Triple Packs” with Internet, Landline, and Cable TV in one plan. Let’s see:

Internet plans and providers in Chile.

Although these local options are broad and attractive, most tariffs are promotional for 6–12 months only. Instead, we recommend Holafly’s monthly plans: They offer global connectivity with no hidden fees or future surprises. This is perfect if you travel often and only pass through. You can activate our Chile eSIM in more than 150 destinations, without buying new SIMs in every country.

This is perfect if you travel often and only pass through. You can activate our Chile eSIM in more than 150 destinations, without buying new SIMs in every country. You can choose between 25 GB or unlimited GB if you need internet for work anywhere. The best part: Holafly plans connect you to the fastest local network. Don’t worry if you visit remote regions, you’ll still have high-speed coverage everywhere. Discover more details below: 

Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 170 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍

Leisure activity costs in Chile

Chile hosts natural wonders; living here means enjoying snowy mountains and paradisiacal beaches, whichever you prefer. Whether you want to backpack across the country or enjoy the modern city vibe, you’ll always find plenty to explore.

For instance, two cinema tickets cost around $13 (€12.48), while theatre shows like the International Festival “A Mil” cost $4–21 (€3.84–20.16), depending on seats. Home entertainment also has costs: Streaming platforms like Netflix start at $7.99 (€7.67), while Disney+ starts at $14 (€13.44) per month.

Other entertainment expenses include tourist sites requiring fees:

• Camping at Torres del Paine National Park: $39 (€37.44) for three days, $56 (€53.77) for longer.
• Cerro San Cristóbal (Santiago): Funicular $2 (€1.92), cable car $3.15 (€3.02) per ride.

In general, you’ll enjoy a full life in Chile if you earn at least $1,500 (€1,440) monthly to cover housing, food, internet, transport, healthcare, and leisure. This figure is a maximum, based on capital city costs. It may be higher if your lifestyle is luxurious, but in remote areas, living costs can be much lower without losing quality or comfort. In remote regions, living costs can be much lower without losing comfort or quality. 

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