Cost of Living in Coyhaique 2026: A Complete Guide for New Residents

Coyhaique: the capital of Chilean Patagonia

Coyhaique is the capital of the Aysen Region and the largest city between Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas. With a population of roughly 60,000, it serves as the administrative, commercial, and service hub for the entire region. Surrounded by rivers, native forests, and mountains, it is the gateway to the Carretera Austral, Patagonian lakes, and some of the most spectacular landscapes in southern Chile.

Despite its remote location, Coyhaique has seen steady growth in recent years. New residents are drawn by the quality of life, closeness to nature, and job opportunities in the public sector, aquaculture, and tourism.

But before packing your bags, it helps to understand the real costs of living here. Some categories are cheaper than Santiago, while others may surprise you. This guide breaks down every major expense with updated figures for 2026.

Housing: rent and property prices

Monthly rent

Rent is one of the categories where Coyhaique is noticeably more affordable than Santiago or Valparaiso. Typical 2026 prices:

Furnished room or studio: CLP 200,000 to 300,000/month
1-bedroom apartment: CLP 300,000 to 420,000/month
2 to 3-bedroom house: CLP 400,000 to 650,000/month
Large house (4+ bedrooms, good neighborhood): CLP 700,000 to 950,000/month

Rental supply is limited compared to major cities. Peak demand hits in February and March when public servants and transferred professionals arrive. It is best to start looking well in advance.

Buying property

For those looking to buy, Coyhaique offers significantly lower prices than central Chile:

1-2 bedroom apartment: UF 1,800 to 2,800
2-3 bedroom house (residential neighborhood): UF 3,000 to 5,500
Large house (good area): UF 5,500 to 9,000
Rural property with house on the outskirts: UF 4,000 to 12,000

For context, a 3-bedroom house in a decent Santiago neighborhood can easily exceed UF 8,000 to 12,000. In Coyhaique, comparable properties sell for roughly half that price.

Food and groceries

Coyhaique has Lider and Unimarc supermarkets along with local shops and corner stores. Prices for staple goods run about 10% to 20% higher than Santiago due to the cost of transporting goods from central Chile. Some locally sourced items like lamb and garden vegetables can be cheaper at farmers’ markets and ferias.

Reference prices (2026)

Bread (1 kg): CLP 1,500 to 2,000
Milk (1 liter): CLP 1,100 to 1,400
Eggs (dozen): CLP 3,200 to 4,000
Chicken (1 kg): CLP 3,500 to 4,500
Beef (1 kg): CLP 7,000 to 10,000
Lamb (1 kg): CLP 5,500 to 8,000
Rice (1 kg): CLP 1,200 to 1,600
Seasonal fruits and vegetables: similar to Santiago in summer, 20-30% more expensive in winter

Dining out

Coyhaique’s restaurant scene has grown in recent years. A lunch set menu costs between CLP 5,500 and 8,000. Dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant runs about CLP 30,000 to 50,000 including drinks.

Estimated monthly food budget

Single person: CLP 180,000 to 250,000
Couple: CLP 300,000 to 400,000
Family of 4: CLP 450,000 to 600,000

Heating: the expense you cannot overlook

This is probably the most important and most underestimated part of living costs in Coyhaique. The city has long, cold winters with temperatures regularly dropping to -5 or -10 degrees Celsius between June and August. Heating is not optional. It is a basic necessity for at least 7 months of the year.

Firewood: the most common option

Most households in Coyhaique heat with firewood (lena). It is efficient and relatively affordable, though it creates air pollution problems that the city addresses with increasingly strict regulations.

Certified dry firewood per cubic meter: CLP 55,000 to 75,000
Typical annual consumption (average house): 12 to 18 cubic meters
Annual firewood cost: CLP 660,000 to 1,350,000 (roughly CLP 55,000 to 112,000/month when averaged)

Certified firewood with a “sello verde” (green seal) costs more but burns cleaner and is mandatory during air quality alerts.

Alternatives

Liquid gas (LPG): A 45 kg cylinder costs around CLP 65,000 to 80,000. Some households use 1 to 2 cylinders per month in winter.
Electric heaters: Expensive and impractical as a primary source, but useful as a supplement.
Wood pellets: A growing alternative, priced at CLP 7,000 to 9,000 per 15 kg bag.

Utilities and household bills

Electricity

Average monthly bill: CLP 40,000 to 70,000
Bills can rise in winter if electric heaters are used as a supplement.

Water

Average monthly bill: CLP 15,000 to 25,000
Aguas Patagonia is the local water utility.

Internet

Connectivity has improved significantly. Movistar, Entel, and local providers like TuMundo offer fiber optic service across much of the city.

Fiber optic plan (100-300 Mbps): CLP 20,000 to 30,000/month
Mobile phone plan (with data): CLP 10,000 to 20,000/month

Monthly utilities summary (excluding heating)

Total basic services for an average household run about CLP 85,000 to 140,000/month. Adding heating, the cost can reach CLP 200,000 to 280,000/month in winter.

Transportation and fuel

Coyhaique has no train or metro system. Public transit is limited to a few colectivo (shared taxi) routes and infrequent city buses. Most residents depend on a personal vehicle.

Fuel

This is where the gap with Santiago is most noticeable. Coyhaique consistently records the highest gasoline prices in the entire country.

Gasoline 93 octane: CLP 1,050 to 1,100/liter
Gasoline 95 octane: CLP 1,100 to 1,150/liter
Diesel: CLP 950 to 1,050/liter

These prices are CLP 100 to 200 per liter higher than Santiago, a result of transportation costs to the region.

Monthly fuel expense

An average driver covering the city and its surroundings can expect to spend CLP 80,000 to 150,000 per month on fuel.

Flights

Balmaceda Airport (BBA) connects Coyhaique to Santiago, Puerto Montt, and Punta Arenas. One-way fares to Santiago typically range from CLP 80,000 to 180,000, with significant seasonal variation. LATAM and JetSMART operate regular flights.

Healthcare

Public system

Hospital Regional de Coyhaique is the main healthcare facility in the region. It covers basic and some intermediate specialties. For complex procedures or specialties not available locally, patients are referred to Puerto Montt or Santiago.

Primary care is available free of charge through Fonasa at local CESFAM clinics.

Private healthcare

Private clinics and practices are available with general practitioners and some specialists. A private consultation costs between CLP 30,000 and 50,000. There are no high-complexity private hospitals in the city.

Pharmacies

Cruz Verde, Salcobrand, and local pharmacies are present. Medication prices are generally the same as the rest of Chile.

Education

Schools

Coyhaique has municipal, subsidized, and a few private schools. The offering covers primary and secondary education, though with fewer options than larger cities.

Municipal schools: Free
Subsidized schools: Free or with minimal co-payment
Private schools: CLP 80,000 to 200,000/month

Higher education

The city hosts campuses of Universidad Austral de Chile (UACh), Universidad de Magallanes (UMAG), and technical training centers like INACAP. Available programs are more limited than Santiago or Concepcion but cover high-demand regional fields such as aquaculture, nursing, forestry engineering, and education.

Comparison with Santiago

Category	Coyhaique	Santiago
3-bedroom house rent	CLP 450,000 - 650,000	CLP 600,000 - 1,200,000
Groceries (basic basket)	10-20% more expensive	Baseline
Gasoline 95 (per liter)	CLP 1,100 - 1,150	CLP 950 - 1,000
Firewood/heating monthly	CLP 55,000 - 112,000	N/A (gas heating)
Fiber optic internet	CLP 20,000 - 30,000	CLP 15,000 - 25,000
Private medical consultation	CLP 30,000 - 50,000	CLP 30,000 - 60,000

The overall picture: housing is considerably cheaper in Coyhaique, but fuel, heating, and some food items offset part of that difference.

Why it remains affordable

Despite higher costs in certain categories, Coyhaique offers something that big cities simply cannot match: quality of life. The commute to work rarely exceeds 15 minutes. There is no significant traffic congestion. Children grow up surrounded by nature. The air is clean most of the year (outside of winter episodes caused by wood smoke).

Additionally, as an “extreme zone,” the Aysen Region offers tax benefits. Public sector workers receive a zone bonus, and there are special housing subsidies available for the region.

Tips for building your budget

Prioritize heating: Budget at least CLP 80,000/month averaged across the year. Winter will be more, summer almost nothing.
Buy firewood in summer: Prices are lower and you have time to let it dry properly.
Take advantage of local products: Lamb, trout, wild berries, and garden vegetables are fresher and sometimes cheaper than goods shipped from northern Chile.
Consider a fuel-efficient vehicle: With the highest gasoline prices in the country, a low-consumption car makes a real difference.
Book flights early: Fares to Santiago fluctuate significantly by season.
Look into available subsidies: Check SERVIU’s extreme zone programs if you are planning to buy property.

Estimated monthly budget (single person)

Item	Monthly range (CLP)
Rent (1 bedroom)	300,000 - 420,000
Food	180,000 - 250,000
Utilities + heating	120,000 - 200,000
Transportation	80,000 - 150,000
Healthcare (Isapre/Fonasa)	40,000 - 80,000
Entertainment and miscellaneous	50,000 - 100,000
Estimated total	770,000 - 1,200,000

For a family of four, the typical monthly budget sits between CLP 1,300,000 and 2,000,000, depending on lifestyle and housing situation.

Coyhaique is not the cheapest city in Chile, but it offers a cost-to-quality-of-life ratio that few places can match. If you value nature, tranquility, and a more human pace of life, the numbers add up.