Compare countries · Argentina vs Chile
Argentina vs Chile
Argentina(South America)·
Chile(South America)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Argentina leads on 3, Chile on 8, 2 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Argentina cheaper than Chile?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Argentina at 41.3 and Chile at 39.0. Chile is about 6% cheaper overall.
Is Argentina or Chile safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Argentina scores 1.92 and Chile scores 1.83. Chile ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Argentina or Chile?
On the UN Human Development Index, Argentina scores 0.865 and Chile scores 0.878. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Argentina compared to Chile?
GNI per capita runs $14,650 in Argentina against $16,960 in Chile; people live 77.5 years on average against 81.4; Numbeo users rate healthcare 68 against 64. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Argentina
41.3
Around the global middle
Chile
39.0
Better than 58% of countries
Chile: 6% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Argentina
12.1
Better than 63% of countries
Chile
11.6
Better than 65% of countries
Chile: 4% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Argentina
1.92
Better than 56% of countries
Chile
1.83
Better than 68% of countries
Chile: more peaceful (1.83 vs 1.92).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Argentina
36.8
Worse than 87% of countries
Chile
39.3
Worse than 82% of countries
Chile: higher perceived safety (39.3 vs 36.8).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Argentina
0.865
Better than 76% of countries
Chile
0.878
Better than 77% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Argentina
$32,587
Better than 62% of countries
Chile
$37,774
Better than 68% of countries
Chile: 16% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Argentina
77.5 yrs
Better than 66% of countries
Chile
81.4 yrs
Better than 81% of countries
Chile: 3.9 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Argentina
67.8
Better than 61% of countries
Chile
63.6
Around the global middle
Argentina: better-rated healthcare (67.8 vs 63.6).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Argentina
113 Mbps
Better than 62% of countries
Chile
338 Mbps
Better than 97% of countries
Chile: 198% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Argentina
52/100
Around the global middle
Chile
61/100
Better than 61% of countries
Chile: freer press (61 vs 52 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Argentina
6.43
Better than 70% of countries
Chile
6.30
Better than 66% of countries
Argentina: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.43 vs 6.30).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Argentina
575
Better than 74% of countries
Chile
517
Around the global middle
Argentina: stronger English proficiency (575 vs 517).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Argentina
95.4
Better than 92% of countries
Chile
95.6
Better than 93% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Deciding between Argentina and Chile for real?
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Chile profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.