Best Cities to Live in Chile
Considering a relocation to Chile? The country offers a variety of cities that combine quality of life, natural beauty, and reasonably modern infrastructure — but each comes with its own trade-offs. Below is a curated list of top Chilean cities to live in, each with verifiable data and commentary to help you form realistic expectations.
Why it stands out
- Santiago is the largest city in Chile (the “Gran Santiago” metro has over 6 million inhabitants) and hosts the lion’s share of business, professional services, international schools and major transport links.
- According to one cost-/quality-of-living dataset, Santiago has a “liveability” index of ~81 with cost of living (rent included) approximately US $1,100/month.
- Some of the best residential neighbourhoods for expats or those seeking higher-end amenities include Las Condes, Vitacura and Providencia — modern, well-connected with international schools, shopping and services.
Considerations
- Pollution: In winter months, Santiago’s basin geography traps air pollution, which may affect outdoor lifestyle or health considerations.
- Cost: Although cheaper than many major global capitals, for Chile it is among the most expensive cities in the country.
- Scale and pace: As the major hub it brings hustle — traffic, higher density, etc.
Ideal for
Professionals, remote-workers, families who want full amenities (schools, transport, international links) and who don’t mind the cost/pollution trade-off.
Valparaíso & Viña del Mar (Coastal Central Region)
Why they stand out
- Valparaíso is a UNESCO World Heritage city with a bohemian, historic port-city atmosphere, steep hills, vibrant art scene and seaside location.
- Viña del Mar, neighbouring Valparaíso, is more of a modern coastal resort/city hybrid (“Garden City”) with good amenities and beach lifestyle.
- Cost of living tends to be lower than Santiago. For example, one dataset lists Valparaíso’s cost of living ~US $908/month (liveability ~74) in Chile.
Considerations
- While cheaper than Santiago, still not ultra-cheap compared to rural or smaller cities.
- Beach/coastal cities carry weather/sea-climate trade-offs (cooler ocean temperatures, possibly more tourism traffic).
- Some safety/maintenance issues: in art-heavy, older port zones of Valparaíso there may be infrastructure or security variations.
Ideal for
People wanting seaside living with urban services, culture, and somewhat slower pace than a capital; good for remote workers or retirees.
La Serena (Coquimbo Region)
Why it stands out
- La Serena is a coastal city in the north-central zone with mild, pleasant weather (~15-25 °C average) and high appeal for laid-back living.
- It’s less expensive: In one guide for retirees the rent for a 2-room apartment in La Serena was quoted at around US $428/month and monthly expenses around US $1,700 for a single retiree.
- Proximity to nature: beaches, Elqui Valley (famous for stargazing) and a more relaxed pace of life.
Considerations
- Being smaller and less central than Santiago means fewer direct international flights or some high-end services might be more challenging.
- If working locally you may find fewer large multinational companies compared to the capital.
- Beach/coast location means some seasonality or tourist influx could impact housing cost or congestion.
Ideal for
Retirees, remote workers, nature-lovers who want beach + sun + lower cost and are comfortable being outside the major metro bustle.
Concepción (Biobío Region)
Why it stands out
- Concepción is one of Chile’s larger regional cities 0(industry, universities, culture) that offers city living without the top-tier cost of the capital.
- One cost reference: A one-bedroom apartment rental was quoted at around US $380/month and monthly cost for a retiree ~US $902 in one guide.
- Good access to healthcare, airports etc: it’s more “urban” than smaller towns but with lower cost.
Considerations
- Safety: As with many larger cities, petty crime can be higher in certain districts; it’s important to select neighbourhoods carefully.
- Infrastructure may not be as premium or globally connected as Santiago.
- Fewer international schools or expat-services than major hubs.
Ideal for
Those who want genuine city scale (not small town) with lower cost, possibly families or professionals who either work locally or remotely.
Puerto Varas / Southern Chile (Lake District)
Why it stands out
- Although smaller, this city and the wider Southern Lake District offer scenic beauty, outdoor lifestyle (lakes, volcanoes, forest).
- Safety and quality of life are well rated: one source describes Puerto Varas as having “very low crime rate” and cost of living around US $900-$1,300/month.
- Good pick for nature-lovers & remote workers wanting strong lifestyle rather than urban hustle.
Considerations
- Smaller city means fewer big-city amenities, possibly fewer international flights, fewer corporate jobs.
- Climate may be cooler, wetter (especially winter) than central/north Chile.
- Depending on your remote work setup, connectivity/infrastructure must be checked (though many parts are well-connected).
Ideal for
Remote professionals, retirees, couples/families who prioritise nature, calm, quality of environment over urban intensity.
Summary Comparison Table
| City | Approx. Cost (rent + living) | Strengths | Trade-offs |
| Santiago | ~US $1,100/month | Top services, connectivity, professional jobs | Pollution, higher cost, urban hustle |
| Valparaíso / Viña del Mar | ~US $900/month (or less) | Coastal culture, artistic vibe, somewhat cheaper | Tourist season, fewer big-city jobs |
| La Serena | ~US $800-1,700 range | Beach + sun, relaxed pace, lower cost | Smaller city infrastructure, less global reach |
| Concepción | ~US $900/month | City scale at lower cost | Some crime risk, fewer expat amenities |
| Puerto Varas (Lake District) | ~US $900-1,300/month | Nature, safety, lifestyle change | Fewer big city amenities, colder climate |
Final Considerations & Tips
- Language: Spanish is essential. While you’ll find some English speakers — especially in expat-zones — most daily life (administration, interactions, paperwork) will require Spanish.
- Jobs/Income source: If you plan to move and work locally, check job market in your profession. If you’re remote working or have foreign-currency income, your options broaden significantly.
- Residency & legal aspects: Review visa/residency requirements, tax implications, property-ownership rules. Chile offers relatively stable frameworks compared to some neighbours.
- Neighbourhood matters: Even in the “right city”, selecting the right district is crucial (safety, amenities, transport, services). For example, in Santiago neighbourhoods such as Las Condes, Vitacura or Providencia are better suited to expats.
- Lifestyle fit: Decide what you value: beach vs mountains, city vs calm, cost vs amenities.
Visit first: Especially if planning relocation, spend time in the city (and different seasons) to test commute, services, climate, feel.
