Cost of Living in Chile 2026 — Rent, Food, Tax & BudgetAll figures are shown in EUR for comparability. The local currency of Chile is the Chilean peso (CLP).
Monthly Living Costs in Chile
Average prices from our cost dataset, re-checked on a rolling basis:
1BR Rent
per month, city average
3BR Rent
per month, city average
Groceries
per month, single person
Transport
per month, public transit pass
Utilities
per month, basic apartment
Meal Out
typical price per meal
Monthly budget (single person): €1,135 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €1,480 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is Chile Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 51.8 |
| Rent index | 11.6 |
| Groceries index | 42.1 |
| Restaurant price index | 39.7 |
| Local purchasing-power index (higher = stronger) | 52.8 |
| Price level index (World Bank, 2024; US = 100) | 46.2 |
| Property price-to-income ratio | 15.3 |
Salaries by Sector
Typical gross annual salaries in Chile from our sector dataset:
| Sector | Typical gross annual (EUR) |
|---|---|
| IT & Software | €38,000 |
| Engineering | €32,000 |
| Finance | €29,000 |
| Healthcare | €26,000 |
| Construction | €24,000 |
| Education | €18,000 |
| Retail | €15,000 |
| Hospitality | €14,000 |
Taxes in Chile
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 14.7% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €5,687 |
| VAT / sales tax | 19% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 35.5% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €5,687 per month. After rent and essentials (€1,135), roughly €4,552 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How Chile Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chile | €650 | €280 | €65 | 51.8 |
| Argentina | €850 | €280 | €65 | 3.1 |
| Bolivia | €320 | €95 | €25 | 39.1 |
| Peru | €450 | €180 | €35 | 56.6 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Chile:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Life expectancy
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 34 residence and visa routes for Chile — see the full Chile visa programme list.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €1,135 per month to sustain a move to Chile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chile expensive?
Chile has a cost-of-living index of 51.8 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €650 per month and a single person spends about €1,135 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in Chile?
About €1,135 per month covers rent and essentials for a single person (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities). A couple sharing a 1-bedroom apartment needs about €1,480 per month.
What is the average rent in Chile?
A 1-bedroom apartment averages €650 per month and a 3-bedroom apartment averages €950 per month in Chile. Prices vary significantly between city centres and smaller towns.
What do people earn in Chile?
Typical gross annual salaries in Chile range from €14,000 (Hospitality) to €38,000 (IT & Software), based on our sector dataset.
Ready for the next step? See the full Chile country profile and the Chile emigration guide.
Moving to Chile from abroad?
Still shortlisting? Compare against our data-driven ranking of the best countries to move to in 2026.
Is Chile a fit for your profile?
Get a personalised assessment — income, savings, profession, and family — in 3 minutes.
Get Your Free Verdict