Cost of Living in Chile

Expats will find the cost of living in Chile affordable and on par with that of any medium-sized international city. While its political and economic stability make it one of the more expensive South American expat destinations, Chile remains significantly cheaper than the continent's industrial giants like Brazil.

Expats moving to Chile's capital will find that the cost of living is reasonable but not particularly cheap. In Mercer's Cost of Living survey for 2019, Santiago had a ranking of 79 out of 209 countries. Chile continues to boast one of the highest ratios of executive salary rates to cost of living in the region. This is certainly a lure for many expats, but top management positions in multinational firms are highly coveted and competition is steep.

Cost of accommodation in Chile

Chile boasts a range of accommodation options for expats, and even top-quality housing tends to be affordable when compared to other 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 means that standards aren't sacrificed even in the face of lower costs.

There's also plenty of opportunity to negotiate incredibly cheap shared housing, either with a Chilean family or in a furnished space with other expats.

Cost of food in Chile

The cost of food in Chile registers as cheap on a global scale, but more expensive than in neighbouring South American countries like Peru and Argentina. Buying seasonal fruits and vegetables from the large central markets is a great way to save money and to sample the local flavours. Supermarket prices are slightly higher and buying imported food items can be costly.

Cost of transport in Chile

Chile prides itself on its urban infrastructure and its systems of public transport are well connected and affordable. The country's main modes of transit are buses and the metro, both of which are efficient, safe and economical. Taxis are more expensive and the drivers are notorious for overcharging foreigners. 

Cost of schooling in Chile

Expats with children have a range of options for education and schools in Chile, though most choose to send their children to an international school. 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.

Some parents prefer to send their children to Chilean private schools but fees for these institutions can be very expensive. Furthermore, they don't always live up to the promise of providing better standards of education than public schools. For many expats, international schools in Chile are the answer to this dilemma. These fees can also be astronomical, but it's often possible to negotiate an allowance for school fees as part of an employment contract. 

Cost of living in Chile chart

Prices may vary across Chile, depending on product and service provider. The list below shows average prices for Santiago in March 2020.