Cost of living in Brazil

Compare the cost of your home country to the actual living costs in Brazil, simply select your home currency and see the difference!

All data is kept up to date by local members and actual students. Our latest update was on: 30th of June 2020

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Food			Price in R$
12 eggs dozen, large			12.50 BRL
1 beer pint in local shops, markets			7 BRL
1 kg of tomatoes			8.50 BRL
Full chicken 2kg			38.75 BRL
1litre 100% fruit juice			8.50 BRL
1 package of cigarettes imported brands			25 BRL
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples			7.50 BRL
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality			48.95 BRL
2.5 liters of Coca-Cola			0.95 BRL
1 Bread loaf standard			9.50 BRL
Whole fat Yogurt. 500ml			12 BRL
1x6 pack Dardanelle tuna			18.50 BRL
Heinz baked beans 1 tin			8 BRL
1.5 kg Sugar			10 BRL
2 liter cooking oil			20 BRL
Yum-yum noodles per pack			2.00 BRL
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes			5.50 BRL
1 liter milk			8.50 BRL
Fast food restaurant large serving/ take away			25 BRL
Housing
Utilities per month (water, electricity, gas) for 2 people in flat			165 BRL
Wi-Fi monthly fee 8 Mbps (1 month)			145 BRL
Laundry detergent (bleach, sunlight liquid, washing surf… altogether)			58.50 BRL
House Cleaning fee per day			105 BRL
Large Gas heater price range upwards.			200 BRL
Original branded Electric Fans			200 BRL
Original branded Electric kettle.			120 BRL
40 inches Beko flat screen HD TV set			2000 BRL
Single bed Blankets			120 BRL
Personal Care
Avon for women and men cologne			100 BRL
Ladies hair plaiting.			60 BRL
Ladies Sanitaryware (Pads and Tampoons)			18 BRL
Men's haircut			40 BRL
Ibuprofen, Panadol, Grandpa Pain killers box of 12 dosses			24.50 BRL
Mobile package local network providers’ talk-time, data and messages			65 BRL
1 month of gym subscription.			105 BRL
Earphones original (Samsung. iPhone)			90 BRL
Unisex Loris perfume			30 BRL
Gadgets maintenance and repairs (cellphone, laptops, tablets...) starting price.			100 BRL
Smart phones (Samsung, Xiaomi, HTC, IPhone) price range upwards			1000 BRL
Laptops (Samsung, Lenovo, Hp, Monster, Dell etc.) price range upwards			3000 BRL
Entertainment
Boat cruise with refreshments and finger snacks			120 BRL
Go carting 30mins			120 BRL
Movie House 3d cinema			30 BRL
Summer Festivals (jet, bumper cars, lucky deep ...(per ticket)			15 BRL
Photo shoot			120 BRL
Cappuccino / expresso/ coffee			12.50 BRL
3 course dinner local restaurant two people			96.50 BRL
3 course dinner classy, exotic restaurant two people			150 BRL
Play station 4 console without games.			2000 BRL
Spalding Basketball			200 BRL
Original branded Racket and Wilson’s tennis balls			500 BRL
Transportation
Taxi fare on average 5-10km			45 BRL
Public transport per trip one way maximum fare			30 BRL
1 liter petrol/diesel			6.50 BRL
1 day rent a car cost			140 BRL
Driver’s license			2300 BRL
Clothes
1 pair of jeans (Denim or similar)			150 BRL
1 pair of men’s formal shoes			215 BRL
1 pair original sport/casual shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands)			280 BRL
1 classy summer dress (Zara, H&M or similar retailers)			135.79 BRL
Ladies formal shoes original and durable			120 BRL
Back-pack, gym bag (Nike, Adidas, New balance)			150 BRL

While the cost of living is lower in Brazil than in most western countries, it can be quite varied. From shopping to essentials, our guide explores the basics. It should be moted in some instances, such as manufactured goods, Brazil can be relatively expensive in comparison to the US or UK.

But due to low labor costs, many services are much comparatively less expensive. For most obvious reasons, some of Brazil’s largest cities (Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Brasilia) rank among the most expensive in the country. Let’s get started;

Accommodation

Accommodation, especially rentals, are likely to be the largest expense here. The average monthly rental on a furnished 274 sq m (900 sqe ft) accommodation will cost around R$1,973 (USD $528) rising to R$3,182 ($852) in certain areas. These depend on township and location.

The cost of accommodation is typically higher in major cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro but would need to be considered against the additional expense of a daily commute from rural areas effectively.

Shopping

Clothing, electronics and manufactured items can be very expensive, with jeans, shoes, and sports clothing likely to cost more than in the United States. Here, cars are also expensive, but public transport is significantly cheaper than in both the US and UK.

Compared with London, goods and services generally cost less in Rio de Janeiro-the capital, with grocery and consumer prices being more than 60% cheaper.

Purchasing essentials such as meat and bread from local markets is a great way to save money and enjoy locally produced goods. Depending on the region this could mean inexpensive seafood or meats in some instances.

Most restaurants are likely to include a 10% service charge with the bill, although tipping is optional for many other service industries including bars, hairdressers, and taxis.

Internet

As an essential of the modern world, the number of internet connections in Brazil continues to grow. Towards the end of 2017, there were an estimated 38 million active household subscriptions, a huge increase on the 14 million just six years before. This has been, in part, the result of Programa Nacional de Banda Larga (PNBL), the government’s plan for improving the country’s data infrastructure, which began around 2010. The internet is available to nearly 60% of the population.

Wages

Brazil has a minimum wage set by the government, which is adjusted every year. This can be adjusted by the federal government in each state, but it must adhere to the national minimum.

The current national minimum wage was set in 2017 at R$937 ($245) per month. São Paulo state offers one of the highest minimum wages in Brazil with a rate of R$1,000 (£263) per month in case you get your charm in working with a Brazilian firm, be advised

Cost of living in Brazil chart 

Prices may vary depending on location and service provider. The table below is based on average prices for March 2020. 

Note the equivalent denomination to any other currency is subject to prevailing exchange rates, be sure to check how these compare with your local currency on the web.

Accommodation (monthly rent)

Groceries

Eating out

Utilities

Transport