The monthly cost of a pensioner household in Buenos Aires
A couple of pensionable age, up to 74, who rent a home in the City of Buenos Aires required $2,526,219 to cover their consumption basket during August 2026, according to a report by the city's Defensoría del Pueblo. The survey found the cost for this type of household climbed 2.2% from July, when it stood at $2,471,203, and accumulated a 16.6% increase since January. Compared with August 2025, when the basket had reached $1,867,543, the year-on-year advance was 35.3%.[S1][S2]
Housing tenure made a substantial difference to the total. A couple with the same characteristics but owning their home needed $1,714,568 in August, some $811,651 less than those who rent. For the renting couple, the food basket came to $638,994, while basic household goods and services required $1,390,706; within that last component, rent was calculated at $811,651.[S1][S2]
Health spending accounted for $187,337, goods and services for household maintenance for $73,287, and personal goods and services for $235,895. The report also estimated that the daily value of the total basket for a pensioner couple who rent was $84,207 during August.[S1][S2]
The Defensoría builds six types of household to measure the cost of living for older adults, taking into account age, household composition, whether members own or rent their home, and whether they contract prepaid medical services.[S1][S2]
