The real cost of living alone in Argentina

[Ron]

Just read some news about how expensive it is to live alone in Argentina and… wow, I knew it was tough, but not this tough.

Apparently there’s a huge gap between average salaries and basic living costs (rent, food, healthcare), which kind of explains why so many young people are still living with their parents. As a foreigner, that really surprised me at first , in many countries people move out much earlier, even if it’s just to share a place.

But here, when you actually look at the numbers, it makes total sense. Renting alone feels almost impossible unless you earn in dollars or have a very high local income. Even sharing can be a stretch.

Honestly, it changes how you see things. What might look like “they just don’t move out” is actually more like “they can’t afford to.”

Cuánto cuesta irse a vivir solo y por qué millones de jóvenes siguen en casa de sus padres

Un informe revela la brecha crítica entre los ingresos promedio y los gastos básicos de vivienda, salud y alimentación

www.infobae.com

 

[ben]

This was a good post on the true costs of living in BA and other Latin American big cities too.

 

[PerryP]

Yeah, this really surprised me too when I first moved here. Beyond how hard things are now economically, what shocked me the most is how difficult it is to actually move out, even if you want to. It’s not just about rent being expensive, it’s all the requirements: deposits, guarantees, upfront costs… you need a lot of money just to get in the door. And not to mention buying a property, that’s basically impossible for most people.

And I think there’s also a cultural side to it. In countries like the US or Canada, once you turn 18 and start university, moving out is almost expected, like an unwritten rule. Even if it means sharing with roommates or living on a tight budget.

Here it feels different. A lot of people stay with their parents until they finish their degree or until they can save some money first. And honestly, given the costs and barriers, it makes total sense.

So it’s not just “people don’t move out”, it’s a mix of economic reality and cultural habits. And right now, with how things are, that balance is probably shifting even more toward staying at home.

 

[Digital Nomad]

Many live at home with their parents. I was surprised when I was living in BA how common this is.

 

[Uncle Wong]

Just saw this.

 

[Cricket]

Sadly it just keeps getting more and more expensive to live here. My lease just ended and prices have jumped up, especially on condo fees.

 

[Good Stuff]

In the USA, young folks move it. Somebody gets a lease on an apartment or house and shares with it people their age. A right of passage. UBA does not have dorms. The roommates thing is skipped.

 

[ElQueso]

In the USA, young folks move it. Somebody gets a lease on an apartment or house and shares with it people their age. A right of passage. UBA does not have dorms. The roommates thing is skipped.

The problem here is the piss poor salaries. A kid working in the US can make decent money in many big cities. Not so much in BA.

 

[Uncle Wong]

The problem here is the piss poor salaries. A kid working in the US can make decent money in many big cities. Not so much in BA.

I really don't know how people make it in BA. The average salary is only around 1.7 million pesos isn't it? Like $1200 USD per month.