The cost of living in Chile can vary depending on many factors. For example, city living is usually more expensive than country living. Lifestyle and consumption choices also make a difference in the cost of living. All that aside, while Chile is one of the most expensive countries in Latin America to live in, it still tends to be cheaper than living in the USA, for example.
According to Numbeo.com, living in Chile is 36.06% cheaper than living in the US and rent is 64.51% lower than the US- average data for all cities.
Housing in Chile
Rents in the city can run from 250,000 CLP to 450,000 CLP for a one-bedroom apartment in Santiago while a three-bedroom will run from 450,000 CLP to 600,000 CLP. Outside Santiago prices will be a bit lower --150,000 to 300,000 CLP for a one-bedroom and 250,000 to 400,000 CLP for a three-bedroom.
Car and transportation in Chile
As of 2019 gas prices have been steadily increasing from 700 CLP to almost 900 CLP per litre. That would be about 3,400 CLP per gallon or about 4.60 USD per gallon.
Insurance and taxes for a car vary depending on the overall value of your car. Local annual taxes are paid on your vehicle, which includes a minimal fee for insurance. For an older pickup truck, it may only be 75,000 CLP while an SUV may be around 250,000 CLP.
Cars in Chile hold their value longer because used vehicles cannot be imported, and Chile does not manufacture autos. New imported vehicles are more expensive because of the importation tax of 26%. Because of the excellent bus services found throughout the country, the majority of Chileans live quite easily without a car; however, you can still easily purchase a vehicle. Just note that the cost may be a bit higher than that of the USA, and don't expect to find a good second-hand car for under 3,000,000 CLP.
If you do opt for public transportation, prices per bus or subway trip can vary from 500 pesos in smaller cities to approximately 800 pesos in Santiago. Bus and subway prices have notoriously steadily increased in the last few years, and this has been another large factor in sparking recent countrywide protests in 2019.
Phone and Internet in Chile
Companies such as Movistar and VTR offer packages for phone, internet, and TV services from 40-600,000 CLP per month as of 2019. There is typically a promotional price for these packages from 30-40,000 CLP for the first 3 to 6 months of contracted services.
For mobile phone plans, there are a few more choices of providers. They all offer relatively similar prepaid plans or fixed monthly plans, starting at 9,990 CLP per month. Movistar and Entel both have mobile plans starting at 13 GB with 350 minutes. Claro offers 15 GB with unlimited minutes to 100 numbers. Finally, a newer company called WOM offers 15 GB and 700 minutes at this price.
Heating and cooking in Chile
While several newer apartment buildings and homes have switched to electric, many homes still use propane tanks for heating and cooking. A large container of 50 kilos is around 55,000 CLP. A family of four could easily use a large tank for cooking and hot water. Instant gas hot water is typical as are propane stoves.
Electric bills in Chile
Electricity in Chile is not cheap. Chile is currently in an energy crisis which they are trying to solve with wind and solar power in order to reduce prices in the future. Residential rates are higher than agricultural or industrial rates. In 2019, the leading electric company, Enel, introduced a 10% increase in prices as well as a new system to measure and calculate the energy consumed. As of 2019, a rural residential rate could be as high as 30 USD per kilowatt-hour.
Food in Chile
Most large grocery store chains like Jumbo and Lider have points you can accumulate from purchases for discounts as well as special sales days like 10% off meat on Wednesdays for Club Lider members. There are also discount markets like Alvi's which offer discounts if you buy in bulk.
Furthermore, there are many Feria Libres, or open-air markets, throughout cities where you can buy fresh produce and other products from locals tax-free. Here you can find an ample amount of fruits, vegetables, fish, and homemade cheese as well as used goods and hand-crafted artisan items.
If you are looking for a nice homemade dinner, you can get a nice bottle of Chilean wine for 4,000 CLP, and a good steak (filet mignon) will run about 13,000 CLP per kilo while ground beef is a bit cheaper at 6,000 CLP per kilo.
Other goods in Chile
While Chile does produce many of its own goods, often these seem to be lower quality than their imported counterparts. However, since imports are taxed at 26%, Chilean-made products are often cheaper. As a bonus, buying local helps support the local economy as well. In terms of appliances, known in Chile as línea blanca or electrodomésticos, you can buy a new Fensa (a Chilean brand) refrigerator for 150,000 CLP and a new Mademsa (another Chilean brand) stove for 160,000 CLP.
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