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This is the cheapest province in Argentina to live in, considering rent and food costs, as of February 2026 - La Nacion Propiedades
Source:
www.lanacion.com.ar
February 06, 2026
The south of the country typically has the highest rent and food prices, while the north offers more affordable options.
By Manuela Viñales
Across the country, rental prices show significant gaps between provinces. Shutterstock
When choosing the ideal province to live in, comparing different factors is crucial for making an informed decision. Not only are aspects related to quality of life, job opportunities, and the environment considered, but also economic variables that directly impact daily life.
In this sense, the cost of living is positioned as one of the most relevant indicators: both the value of rents and the price of food condition the monthly budget and largely determine the level of well-being of those who reside in each region.
Bariloche has the highest rental prices in the country. Argenway
At the opposite end of the spectrum is San Miguel de Tucumán, the most affordable city in the ranking , with an average cost of $489,000 per month, making it 56% cheaper than Bariloche. It is followed by Santa Fe (capital city) at $585,555 and Salta at $663,000
San Miguel de Tucumán is the cheapest city to rent in, with prices 56% lower than Bariloche.Sofia Lopez Mañán
The average ranking of one-bedroom rentals is made up of:
At the other end of the spectrum, San Miguel de Tucumán retains its position as the most economical alternative with an average of $745,000, while Córdoba is just slightly above with $785,000, according to the same report.
Córdoba Capital is among the most affordable cities to rent three-room apartments. Shutterstock
The ranking is as follows:
The number of one-bedroom units surveyed in the report for the interior of the country increased by 55.1% year-on-year, while two-bedroom units increased by 60.0% year-on-year (November 2024 vs. November 2025). These figures reflect an increase above the general inflation rate.
The study compares the price of a selection of commonly consumed products for a typical family of two adults and two children, and shows that in December 2025 the monthly cost of the shopping cart in the Patagonian province reached $863,809.
Rio Negro is the province with the most expensive food basket. Shutterstock
At the opposite end is Santa Fe, with a value of $802,000 , that is, $60,000 less than Rio Negro.
The ranking of the basic food basket in December 2025 was:
Comparing these figures with those recorded at the end of November, the largest increase occurred in Misiones, with a rise of $46,037 . In contrast, Córdoba was the province with the most moderate increase, at $18,318.
In the real estate market, the southern provinces of the country concentrated the highest values , while Tucumán consolidated itself as the most affordable option, both in rentals of two- and three-room units.
However, Tucumán does not lead the ranking of the most economical foods : in that category it is in the middle of the table, as the fourth province with the highest value of the basic basket.
If the average rental values of a three-room unit are added to the food basket values of each province, the final ranking is as follows:
So, Tucumán is positioned as the most affordable province to live in, followed by Córdoba and Santa Fe. Meanwhile, Río Negro, Neuquén, and Misiones have the highest monthly costs.
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Source:
Esta es la provincia más barata de Argentina para vivir entre alquileres y alimentos en febrero 2026
El sur del país suele registrar los valores más altos de alquiler y alimentos y el norte presenta oportunidades más accesibles
www.lanacion.com.ar
February 06, 2026
The south of the country typically has the highest rent and food prices, while the north offers more affordable options.
By Manuela Viñales
Across the country, rental prices show significant gaps between provinces. Shutterstock
When choosing the ideal province to live in, comparing different factors is crucial for making an informed decision. Not only are aspects related to quality of life, job opportunities, and the environment considered, but also economic variables that directly impact daily life.
In this sense, the cost of living is positioned as one of the most relevant indicators: both the value of rents and the price of food condition the monthly budget and largely determine the level of well-being of those who reside in each region.
Rentals
One-bedroom apartments
Across the country, rental prices show significant gaps between provinces, especially in the main cities of each region. If Bariloche is taken as a reference point for Río Negro, the highest value in the survey is observed: renting a one-bedroom apartment costs an average of $1,105,000 per month , according to the Real Estate Survey.
Bariloche has the highest rental prices in the country. Argenway
At the opposite end of the spectrum is San Miguel de Tucumán, the most affordable city in the ranking , with an average cost of $489,000 per month, making it 56% cheaper than Bariloche. It is followed by Santa Fe (capital city) at $585,555 and Salta at $663,000
San Miguel de Tucumán is the cheapest city to rent in, with prices 56% lower than Bariloche.Sofia Lopez Mañán
The average ranking of one-bedroom rentals is made up of:
- Rio Negro (Bariloche): $1,105,000
- Neuquén (Capital): $951,250
- Misiones (Posadas): $823,335
- Salta (Capital): $663,000
- Mendoza (Capital): $686,665
- Córdoba (Capital): $633,335
- Santa Fe (Capital): $585,555
- Tucumán (San Miguel de Tucumán): $489,000
Two-bedroom apartments
When the analysis is expanded to include two-bedroom units, the ranking remains similar. Bariloche again ranks as the least affordable city , with an average monthly cost of $1,460,000, followed by Neuquén with $1,435,715.At the other end of the spectrum, San Miguel de Tucumán retains its position as the most economical alternative with an average of $745,000, while Córdoba is just slightly above with $785,000, according to the same report.
Córdoba Capital is among the most affordable cities to rent three-room apartments. Shutterstock
The ranking is as follows:
- Rio Negro (Bariloche): $1,460,000
- Neuquén (capital): $1,435,715
- Misiones (Posadas): $1,105,000
- Salta (capital): $919,445
- Mendoza (capital): $868,750
- Santa Fe (capital): $807,780
- Córdoba (capital): $785,000
- Tucumán (San Miguel de Tucumán): $745,000
The number of one-bedroom units surveyed in the report for the interior of the country increased by 55.1% year-on-year, while two-bedroom units increased by 60.0% year-on-year (November 2024 vs. November 2025). These figures reflect an increase above the general inflation rate.
The cost of food
Food is another determining factor in the cost of living in different provinces . When analyzing the same regions surveyed in the rental market, Rio Negro again tops the ranking, this time as the province with the most expensive basic food basket , according to a report by the consulting firm Analytica.The study compares the price of a selection of commonly consumed products for a typical family of two adults and two children, and shows that in December 2025 the monthly cost of the shopping cart in the Patagonian province reached $863,809.
Rio Negro is the province with the most expensive food basket. Shutterstock
At the opposite end is Santa Fe, with a value of $802,000 , that is, $60,000 less than Rio Negro.
The ranking of the basic food basket in December 2025 was:
- Rio Negro: $863,809
- Neuquén: $840,602
- Salta: $833,214
- Tucumán: $817,101
- Córdoba: $816,059
- Misiones: $815,101
- Mendoza: $807,177
- Santa Fe: $802,602
Comparing these figures with those recorded at the end of November, the largest increase occurred in Misiones, with a rise of $46,037 . In contrast, Córdoba was the province with the most moderate increase, at $18,318.
So, which is the most affordable province to live in?
Deciding which province is the cheapest to live in requires jointly considering the cost of rent and the price of the food basket.In the real estate market, the southern provinces of the country concentrated the highest values , while Tucumán consolidated itself as the most affordable option, both in rentals of two- and three-room units.
However, Tucumán does not lead the ranking of the most economical foods : in that category it is in the middle of the table, as the fourth province with the highest value of the basic basket.
If the average rental values of a three-room unit are added to the food basket values of each province, the final ranking is as follows:
- Rio Negro: $2,323,809
- Neuquén: $2,276,317
- Misiones: $1,920,101
- Salta: $1,752,659
- Mendoza: $1,675,927
- Santa Fe: $1,610,382
- Córdoba: $1,601,059
- Tucumán: $1,562,101
So, Tucumán is positioned as the most affordable province to live in, followed by Córdoba and Santa Fe. Meanwhile, Río Negro, Neuquén, and Misiones have the highest monthly costs.
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