The cost of living in Buenos Aires is skyrocketing: How much do you need to avoid poverty in July?

In a context of persistent inflation and wages that fail to keep pace with prices , data from the Buenos Aires Institute of Statistics and Census (IDECBA) reveal a new snapshot of the cost of living in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CABA) . In July 2025 , a typical family —made up of two adults and two minors—needed $1,925,468 to be considered middle class and at least $1,214,296 to avoid falling below the poverty line . Meanwhile, to avoid being classified as destitute , income needed to reach $651,816 .

According to NA, the survey shows that the consumer baskets used to measure poverty and extreme poverty rose by around 2.22% , a lower variation than the general inflation rate in Buenos Aires , which was 2.5% over the same period. Even so, the increase in basic costs continues to affect purchasing power, especially in middle- and low-income households.

• Basic Food Basket (CBA) : defines the poverty line. It rose 2.22% in July, bringing the income floor to $651,816 .
• Total Basic Basket (CBT) : measures the poverty line. It rose 1.9% , setting the threshold at $1,214,296 .
• Total Basket (CT) : Determines whether a person belongs to the middle class or higher strata. To reach this level, the minimum income is $1,925,468 .

Compared to July 2024, the poverty line grew by 30.5% , going from $929,845 to $1,214,296 , while the indigence line jumped from $521,602 to $651,816 .

1. Indigence : up to $651,816.24 .
2. Non-indigent poverty : between $651,816.25 and $1,214,296.21 .
3. Vulnerable non-poor : between $1,214,296.22 and $1,540,374.41 .
4. Fragile middle sector : between $1,540,374.42 and $1,925,468.02 .
5. Middle class : between $1,925,468.03 and $6,161,497.67 .
6. Wealthy sector : more than $6,161,497.68 .

Although the monthly increase in food baskets was slightly below general inflation, the annualized data makes it clear that the cost of living in Buenos Aires remains at historically high levels. For many families, reaching the middle-class threshold has become an increasingly distant goal, and the risk of falling into poverty remains high.