Argentine homes are priced and sold in US dollars, a habit that comes from decades of peso inflation. In August 2026 Buenos Aires apartments averaged USD 2,476 per m² (Zonaprop), from about USD 1,000 in the far south of the city to over USD 6,000 in Puerto Madero. The price is paid in dollars at closing, but taxes, fees, and running costs are mostly in pesos.
Last updated September 24, 2026 · Part of the Investment guide
Why property is priced in dollars
After repeated devaluations and high inflation, Argentines came to treat real estate as a dollar asset. Sellers quote in USD, deeds usually record a USD price, and savings for a home are kept in dollars. For foreign buyers this is convenient: you compare prices directly with home, and the purchase price is not exposed to the peso during negotiation.
The flip side is that many owners judge value in dollars, so prices do not fall just because the peso weakens. They moved in a long down-cycle from 2018 to 2023 and have been recovering slowly since.
What property costs in 2026
Buenos Aires is the only market with a regular public price index. The figures are asking prices; closing prices tend to be lower.
- Typical Buenos Aires apartments: studio about USD 110,000; one bedroom about USD 131,000; two bedrooms about USD 180,000.
- Outside Buenos Aires there is no official index. Use recent comparable sales from local brokers and see the region guides for Bariloche, Mendoza, and Córdoba.
- More neighborhoods: Buenos Aires market report.
| Market | Price level (2026) | Source / note |
|---|---|---|
| Buenos Aires city, average apartment | USD 2,476 per m² | Zonaprop, August 2026 |
| Puerto Madero | USD 6,148 per m² | Most expensive neighborhood |
| Palermo | USD 3,437 per m² | Most popular with foreigners |
| Núñez | USD 3,399 per m² | Residential north |
| Villa Lugano | USD 1,056 per m² | Cheapest average in the city |
| Buenos Aires city, houses | USD 1,829 per m² | Small market in the city |
How payment works at closing
Most purchases are paid in US dollars on the day the deed is signed. Two methods are common: the buyer's dollars are counted and handed over in a bank's safe-deposit area, or the money is transferred between accounts at the same bank. Foreign buyers usually wire the funds to an Argentine account in their name beforehand.
Argentina lifted most currency controls for individuals in April 2025, so dollars can move more freely than in previous years. Banks still apply anti-money-laundering checks, so keep documents showing where the money comes from. Ask the escribano which payment method they will accept before you send funds.
| Payment method | How it works | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Cash dollars at a bank | Counted in the bank's vault room at closing | Security, counting fees, bank's rules on large cash |
| Bank transfer in USD | Wire to your Argentine account, then transfer to the seller | Transfer times, both parties at the same bank simplifies it |
| Deposit at reservation | Usually cash or transfer to the broker or escribano | Get a signed receipt and the conditions for refund |
What is still paid in pesos
Even with a dollar price, much of the cost of owning is in pesos, so exchange rates still matter.
- Stamp tax and registry fees, calculated in pesos on the deed value or fiscal value.
- Escribano and broker fees are often agreed as a percentage of the dollar price but invoiced with VAT, sometimes in pesos.
- Property tax (in Buenos Aires the ABL bill), utilities, and building expenses (expensas).
- Rent from local tenants may be in pesos or dollars; since 2023 both are allowed.
Reading an asking price
Treat the asking price as the opening position. Divide it by the covered area to get the price per m², then compare it with the neighborhood average. Adjust for building age, monthly expenses, floor, light, balcony, and parking. Check whether the listed area includes balconies or shared space; Argentine listings often quote total area. Then add closing costs to get your real total.
Prices outside Buenos Aires
No public index covers Mendoza, Bariloche, Córdoba, or Patagonia, so prices there are set by recent sales and the broker's judgment. Views and location drive price more than size: in Bariloche, lake views and the distance along the lakeside road can double the price of similar houses. In Mendoza, water rights matter more than the house for vineyard land. Ask brokers for closed sales, not just listings, and compare several.
How much room for negotiation?
Asking prices in Argentina usually include negotiation margin, especially for properties that have been listed for months. Offers below the asking price are normal. Your strongest arguments are building expenses, needed repairs, time on the market, and a ready cash closing. Put your offer in writing through the broker with a deadline, and make any deposit conditional on the escribano's title checks.
Questions buyers ask
Can I pay for Argentine property in pesos?
It is possible if the seller agrees, but almost all residential sales are agreed and paid in US dollars.
How much does a house in Argentina cost?
It depends heavily on location. In Buenos Aires city, houses averaged USD 1,829 per m² in August 2026 and apartments USD 2,476 per m². A one-bedroom apartment averages around USD 131,000.
Are Argentine property prices rising?
Slowly. Buenos Aires asking prices rose about 1.1% in the first eight months of 2026 and remain around 11.5% below their peak.
Why are Argentine homes priced in dollars?
Decades of inflation and devaluations made Argentines treat property as a dollar asset, so sellers quote and are paid in USD.
How much can I negotiate on an asking price?
Offers below the asking price are normal, especially on properties listed for months. Use building costs, repairs, and a ready cash closing as arguments.