Cost of Living in Santiago, Chile for Expats: What You Need to Know Before Moving
Santiago is a fun, vibrant, and totally underrated city. From great bars and restaurants to one of the most efficient metro systems in Latin America, the city surprises almost everyone who visits.
Before moving, we tried to create a budget, but real life had other plans. We learned a lot about prices, where to shop, where to eat, and what to avoid. Here’s an overview of what we wish we knew from the start to save you time and money.
🎯 TL;DR
- Santiago is affordable, but it isn’t as cheap as other major LATAM cities.
- Housing is the biggest expense, and rent prices can drastically change from affordable neighborhoods like Ñuñoa to expensive ones like Vitacura.
- Check if your internet or phone provider, like Movistar have deals that can save you upwards of 40% for 6+ months.
- You can expect to spend around $180-$250 per person on groceries. Shopping at ferias will save you a lot of money.
- A dinner for two with drinks can average $30-$50
- Public transportation is affordable and efficient. You rarely need to take an Uber, and there’s very little need to own your own car.
- Fun money goes a long way in Santiago, from getting a daily coffee, yoga classes, to spontaneous weekend trips, take advantage.
🌎 Is Chile Affordable for Expats?
Santiago is cheaper than the U.S. (especially if you’re coming from cities like San Francisco), but more expensive than places like Mexico City, Lima, or Bogotá.
Your monthly budget will depend on:
- Your lifestyle (local vs. expat habits)
- Which neighborhood you choose
- How often you cook vs. eat out
- Whether you need private healthcare
- How often you travel
As a couple, we spend around $2,500 USD per month living comfortably in Santiago.
💵 Cost of Living in Santiago (Snapshot)
The costs below represent two people
| Item | Monthly Cost (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Rent |
$1,100 – $1,300 |
Includes gastos comunes (pool, gym, coworking, and concierge) |
|
Groceries |
$300 – $450 |
More affordable if you shop at ferias. We do a mix. |
|
Dining |
$200 – $400 |
Depends on your lifestyle. We eat out a lot more now than we ever did in San Francisco. $30 for 4 rolls of sushi? Yes, please! |
|
Utilities |
$60 – $120 |
Dependent on season + heating usage |
|
Transportation |
$30 – $60 |
Metro + buses are extremely efficient. We only use ride-sharing apps if we are going to areas like Vitacura, which is quite disconnected in comparison to other areas. |
Earn points on your daily expenses to cover your trips around South America and Chile!
🏡 Housing Costs in Chile
Housing is usually your biggest expense, and prices vary by neighborhood and number of bedrooms. We currently live in Providencia, but also recommend Las Condes and Vitacura (more expensive) or Ñuñoa (more budget-friendly).
Average Monthly Rent
- Providencia — 1-bedroom: $350–$650
- Las Condes — 1-bedroom: $500–$800
- Providencia — 2-bedroom: $650–$1,200
- Shared apartment room: $250–$450
FYI:
- Furnished apartments are 15–25% more and often not worth it long-term.
- Most rentals require 1–2 months deposit + first month’s rent.
- If you get out of your lease early, they will try to charge the full remainder.
- We initially searched for apartments on Portal Inmobiliario and Yapo, but the company hired Expat.cl for us, which made everything easier, from recommending places, scheduling, to signing the lease.
💡 Utilities & Internet
Typical Monthly Costs (2 people)
- Electricity: $20–$60
- Water: $15–$30
- Gas: $15–$40
- Fiber internet: $15–$30 (look for promo months)
- Mobile plan: $10–$20
⭐️ Tip: Movistar frequently offers 6–9 month discounts. We got a 40% off promo when we signed up.
🍓 Groceries
Groceries are generally cheaper than in the U.S., especially if you shop at local stores. Do your part and support small businesses!
Monthly Grocery Spend
- 1 person: $180–$250
- Couple: $300–$450
Average Prices at a Grocery Store
- Milk: $1.25
- Eggs (12): $3.50
- Chicken (1 kg): $7-$10
- Bread (marraqueta): $1
- Fresh produce: way cheaper at ferias (e.g., 1 kg of strawberries for $1,000 CLP = ~$1 USD)
⭐️ Tip: Shop at ferias to save money and get the best produce. We wrote a full guide on where and when to shop like a local.
➡️ Grocery Shopping in Santiago: What We Wish We Knew Sooner
🍝 Dining Out
Santiago boasts a vibrant food scene with numerous international options. We are still eating our way through Barrio Italia, but with a new eatery popping up every other week, it has been difficult in the best of ways.
Common Prices
- Lunch menu (menú del dia): $6–$12
- Coffee: $2–$4
- Dinner out: $12–$20/pp
- Cocktails: $5–$12
🚍 Transportation
Santiago’s public transportation is one of the best in Latin America. It is affordable, clean, and reliable.
Public Transportation
- Metro: $0.80–$1.10 (peak hours cost more)
- Bus: $0.70–$1.00
Cars
Buying a car is expensive, and parking adds up. We don’t own one; we rent on weekends using our credit card travel portals.
Want to know our favorite travel cards? We’ve used points to explore South America affordably and comfortably.
🏥 Healthcare Costs
Chile uses two systems:
- FONASA (public) — cheap, longer waits
- ISAPRE (private) — faster, more expensive
Average Costs
- Doctor visit: $25–$60
- Specialist: $40–$90
- ER (private): $120–$200
- ISAPRE monthly: $60–$120+
We still use SafetyWing for travel insurance and SaludTech for convenient Telehealth visits when needed. You can use your passport!
🏝️ Your “Chillin’” Budget
These aren’t “essential expenses,” but they add up. Here are some items to consider when preparing your budget for living in Chile.
Cafés & Coworking
- Latte: $3-$5
- Co-work hot desk $75-$100/month
Wellness & Fitness
- Yoga/Pilates class: $5–$10
- Gym membership: $25–$45/month
- Boutique gyms (CrossFit, Pilates): $40–$80/month
Classpass offers tons of great options. Use this link to try it for free!
Nightlife & Social Life
- Cocktails: $5–$12
- Craft beer: $4–$7
- Entry to clubs (depending on the night): $5–$15
Shopping & Personal Care
- Haircut: $20–$60
- Nails: $10–$35
- Clothes: slightly cheaper than the US, pricier than Mexico.
Weekend Trips
Whether you’re escaping to Valparaíso, Cajón del Maipo, or one of Chile’s many coastal towns, here’s what a typical weekend getaway costs:
Rental car: $30–$50/day
Domestic flight: $50–$100 per person
Tip: Book through your credit card portal, we save a ton using points.
Gas: $1.50–$1.80 per liter
Lodging: $40–$120/night depending on the destination and season
Weekend trips are one of the best parts of living in Chile, as so many places are just a short drive or a quick 1–2 hour flight away
