Argentina is the most expensive country for 70% of durable goods and clothing among nine economies

Food and service prices in Argentina are rising in dollars, while on the other hand, the prices of durable goods are decreasing, due to the escalation of trade openness and tax reductions that contrast with the appreciation of the peso.{#p-1788967125483-99733}

A report from IERAL (Mediterranean Foundation) assessed the competitiveness of the local basket by comparing the evolution of prices for consumer goods and services in Argentina against nine economies: Brazil, Chile, Mexico, the United States, France, Poland, Australia, China, and South Korea.{#p-1788969424777-20060}

Details of the report {#p-1788968461626-64596}

The most favorable evolution for consumers is concentrated in durable goods, clothing, and footwear. Argentina has historically been an expensive country in these sectors, due for example, to trade protection and a high internal tax burden. Thus, the gap between these values and those abroad is narrowing.{#p-1788968079156-16763}

Impact. It is estimated that the fashion industry generates about 20 million tons of waste globally each year.{#p-1788970846725-4659}

In this context, IERAL specified that Argentina was the most expensive country in 74% of the cases surveyed in this category during August. Although the figure remains at high levels, it represents a deceleration compared to the 82% recorded in May 2025 and the peak of 96% observed at the beginning of the measurements, in March of that same year.{#p-1788970483278-34766}

Cars, motorcycles, electronics, clothing, and footwear remain more expensive in Argentina than in the other surveyed countries. In a list of ten products, the country is the most expensive in the world for three: air fryers, dresses, and sneakers.{#p-1788968895351-74129}

IERAL emphasized that the removal of import barriers, reduction of tariffs, and the lowering of some internal taxes compensated for the effect of currency appreciation, making these goods cheaper compared to the world.{#p-1788968514501-50606}

The entity put the results in perspective against the evolution of the Multilateral Real Exchange Rate (TCRM). In August, this indicator was 5% above the level of November 2023, the last month of Alberto Fernández's administration, although it was still trading 40% below the historical average for the period 2000-2026. Maintaining that reference average would today equate to an exchange rate of $2,078.{#p-1788970561480-3858}

Cars, motorcycles, electronics, clothing, and footwear remain more expensive in Argentina than in the other surveyed countries.{#p-1788971058819-23698}

Industrial salaries compared to car and motorcycle purchases {#p-1788969109451-35386}

The price difference is also reflected when measuring the purchasing power of industrial salaries. To buy a car, an Argentine industrial worker needs the equivalent of 20 salaries, compared to 16 in Chile and only 6 in the USA.{#p-1788969111937-9832}

In the case of a low-displacement motorcycle, the ratio is 2.2 industrial salaries in Argentina compared to 1.4 in the US. For a pair of sneakers, however, the impact is lower: it represents about 7% of an Argentine industrial salary, compared to 14% in Brazil and Mexico, 4.7% in Chile, and 1.8% in the United States.{#p-1788969111937-8361}

Thus, Argentina maintains a higher purchasing power than Brazil and Mexico for acquiring the durable goods analyzed, but falls below Chile and the other surveyed countries.{#p-1788969185739-65532}

In the case of a low-displacement motorcycle, the ratio is 2.2 industrial salaries in Argentina compared to 1.4 in the US.{#p-1788971149103-29568}
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The situation in food {#p-1788969394638-42622}

In food and beverages, Argentina has increased its relative position: it is more expensive in 48% of a sample of ten products, compared to 47% observed three months ago.{#p-1788969528696-6791}

Brazil has lower prices than Argentina in nine of the ten products. Additionally, there are significant differences compared to Chile, Mexico, Poland, and South Korea, where between half and 70% of the goods are cheaper than in Argentina. Compared to China, the proportion reaches 90%.{#p-1788969453156-21142}

On the other hand, the US, Australia, and France have higher prices than Argentina, in a range that varies between 80% and 100% of the surveyed products.{#p-1788969568183-3201}

In finer detail, Argentina appears slightly expensive in some beverages, such as mineral water and beer, while showing somewhat lower prices in cheese, eggs, and white rice.{#p-1788969615135-57771}

Argentina appears slightly expensive in some beverages, such as mineral water and beer, while showing somewhat lower prices in cheese, eggs, and white rice.{#p-1788971184968-85453}

The increase in food prices in Argentina went from 53% in March 2025 to 39% in December of that year, but it accelerated again to represent 48% of the sample in August 2026. IERAL attributed the behavior of food prices to the exchange factor: the depreciation of 2025 made them cheaper in dollars, while the appreciation of 2026 absorbed part of that competitiveness.{#p-1788969672168-19937}

Services {#p-1788969789147-16929}

In both personal and family services, Argentina is more expensive in 38% of cases. The differences are notable compared to Brazil and China, where Argentina is more expensive in 90% and 80% of the compared services, respectively. Compared to Chile, the proportion is 60%.{#p-1788969836981-21962}

To take some graphic examples of the most relevant services, the country appears expensive for dining out in a restaurant and for mobile phone plans. In contrast, it is more economical for gym memberships, preschool education, gasoline, a cappuccino, and taxis.

Among the Most Expensive Countries in the World for Clothing

A study by IERAL on 100 countries (source: Numbeo) confirmed that Argentina leads global overpricing in clothing and footwear: it ranks 2nd in international brand dresses, 8th in sports shoes, and 10th in Levi's 501 jeans.

Continuing with the survey, mineral water (13th) and white bread (21st) show high prices in Argentina, while mid-range wine (89th), gym memberships (76th), and flank steak (56th) are among the most affordable.

In summary, the IERAL diagnosis still faces a severe competitiveness challenge in tradable goods, particularly impacting clothing, footwear, and durable goods, despite having recorded a significant contraction in the price gap since the highs of early 2025.