The discussion around access to housing in Argentina has resurfaced, highlighting the ongoing disparity between income levels and real estate prices. As the price per square meter remains pegged to the US dollar, while salaries lag significantly behind the rising cost of living, the prospect of traditional home ownership for workers is becoming increasingly remote. This situation poses a critical challenge for many Argentines trying to improve their living conditions through property ownership.

The minimum wage, set at $346,800 monthly as of February 2026, is a crucial benchmark for assessing purchasing power, calculating social benefits, and establishing legal thresholds. According to the decree issued by the government in December 2025, this wage applies to full-time workers, with hourly workers earning $1,734 per hour. This new minimum wage framework sheds light on the difficulties faced by many in affording housing, especially in urban areas where real estate values are significantly inflated compared to average earnings.

This significant gap between wages and real estate prices underscores the urgent need for policy reforms aimed at increasing housing accessibility and affordability for the working population in Argentina. Without interventions to address these economic disparities, many individuals and families may find themselves locked out of the housing market, perpetuating cycles of poverty and limiting upward mobility for future generations.