Being "middle class" in Buenos Aires already costs almost $2 million a month: how much do you need to avoid poverty?

The cost of living in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires continues to rise, putting thousands of families at risk. According to the latest report from the Buenos Aires Institute of Statistics and Census (DGEyC) , a typical family—consisting of two adults and two children—needed at least $1,167,271 in April to avoid falling below the poverty line, and $1,840,530 to be considered middle class .

While inflation in the city reached 2.3% monthly , the values ​​of basic food baskets grew slightly below: the Basic Food Basket (CBA) , which defines the poverty line, rose 1.44% , while the Total Basic Basket (CBT) , which measures poverty , did so by 1.71% .

These figures reflect an alarming reality: to avoid being considered destitute , a household needs to earn more than $630,787 a month . If they don't earn more than that amount, they can't even afford to buy essential food to survive.

The report details the monthly income ranges that define the socioeconomic level of each family:

• Poverty : less than $630,787
• Non-indigent poverty : between $630,787 and $1,167,271
• Vulnerable non-poor : between $1,167,271 and $1,472,424
• Fragile middle class : between $1,472,424 and $1,840,530
• Middle class : from $1,840,530 to $5,889,696
• Wealthy sector : more than $5,889,696

With these parameters, it is clear that even those who have formal jobs may fall outside the middle class , or directly below the vulnerability line.

Furthermore, compared to April 2024, the increase is striking: the poverty line went from $825,809 to $1,167,271 , and the extreme poverty line jumped from $467,177 to $630,787 , representing increases of more than 40% year-on-year .

The rising cost of living , even with inflation showing signs of slowing, continues to push thousands of families away from economic well-being . In a city where being " middle class " now requires an income close to two million pesos , the debate about redistribution and access to opportunities is more relevant than ever.