Cost of living in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 24% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 2,942 prices entered by 323 different people.
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Buenos Aires has artificial and unrealistic official exchange rates.
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Currency:
| Food | - 45% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 45% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R$ 41 (ARS $8,589) | ARS $21,965 | - 61% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R$ 38 (ARS $8,078) | ARS $14,138 | - 43% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R$ 10 (ARS $2,220) | ARS $5,337 | - 58% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R$ 5.82 (ARS $1,230) | ARS $1,724 | - 29% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R$ 13 (ARS $2,676) | ARS $5,494 | - 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R$ 9 (ARS $1,842) | ARS $2,626 | - 30% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R$ 22 (ARS $4,731) | ARS $12,773 | - 63% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R$ 14 (ARS $2,866) | ARS $2,790 | + 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R$ 8 (ARS $1,606) | ARS $1,295 | + 24% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R$ 5.82 (ARS $1,230) | ARS $2,815 | - 56% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R$ 41 (ARS $8,743) | ARS $8,351 | + 5% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R$ 10 (ARS $2,128) | ARS $3,606 | - 41% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R$ 4.56 (ARS $964) | ARS $1,328 | - 27% | |
| Housing | + 4% | |||
| Housing in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 4% more expensive than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R$ 4,776 (ARS $1,009,868) | ARS $1,068,750 | - 6% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R$ 3,355 (ARS $709,281) | ARS $801,317 | - 11% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R$ 1,028 (ARS $217,353) | ARS $97,677 | + 123% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R$ 4,201 (ARS $888,222) | ARS $788,102 | + 13% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R$ 2,718 (ARS $574,626) | ARS $516,371 | + 11% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R$ 847 (ARS $179,087) | ARS $82,002 | + 118% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R$ 89 (ARS $18,832) | ARS $23,196 | - 19% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R$ 1,574 (ARS $332,686) | ARS $547,391 | - 39% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R$ 652 (ARS $137,946) | ARS $299,259 | - 54% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R$ 18 (ARS $3,890) | ARS $6,832 | - 43% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R$ 21 (ARS $4,507) | ARS $5,880 | - 23% | |
| Clothes | - 44% | |||
| Clothes in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 44% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R$ 248 (ARS $52,368) | ARS $130,347 | - 60% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R$ 253 (ARS $53,393) | ARS $78,575 | - 32% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R$ 409 (ARS $86,420) | ARS $144,960 | - 40% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R$ 316 (ARS $66,774) | ARS $131,418 | - 49% | |
| Transportation | + 9% | |||
| Transportation in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 9% more expensive than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R$ 113,645 (ARS $24,027,410) | ARS $32,935,900 | - 27% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R$ 6 (ARS $1,278) | ARS $1,333 | - 4% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R$ 269 (ARS $56,911) | ARS $39,981 | + 42% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R$ 57 (ARS $12,011) | ARS $19,004 | - 37% | |
| Personal Care | - 33% | |||
| Personal Care in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 33% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R$ 15 (ARS $3,265) | ARS $6,342 | - 49% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R$ 58 (ARS $12,224) | ARS $20,338 | - 40% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R$ 285 (ARS $60,318) | ARS $37,189 | + 62% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R$ 17 (ARS $3,539) | ARS $12,320 | - 71% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R$ 13 (ARS $2,672) | ARS $4,081 | - 35% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R$ 17 (ARS $3,690) | ARS $7,454 | - 50% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R$ 5.92 (ARS $1,252) | ARS $2,753 | - 55% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R$ 4.65 (ARS $984) | ARS $3,774 | - 74% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R$ 53 (ARS $11,166) | ARS $18,504 | - 40% | |
| Entertainment | - 50% | |||
| Entertainment in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 50% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R$ 123 (ARS $26,041) | ARS $41,771 | - 38% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R$ 61 (ARS $12,903) | ARS $28,100 | - 54% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R$ 219 (ARS $46,384) | ARS $50,694 | - 9% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R$ 281 (ARS $59,340) | ARS $58,836 | + 1% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R$ 36 (ARS $7,516) | ARS $12,175 | - 38% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R$ 17 (ARS $3,592) | ARS $4,577 | - 22% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R$ 11 (ARS $2,380) | ARS $5,061 | - 53% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R$ 2,774 (ARS $586,426) | ARS $1,007,870 | - 42% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R$ 0.73 (ARS $154) | ARS $683 | - 77% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R$ 162 (ARS $34,278) | ARS $44,307 | - 23% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R$ 11 (ARS $2,369) | ARS $3,412 | - 31% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 24% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 2,942 prices entered by 323 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 20, 2025.
Exchange rate:
211.425
ARS
/
BRL
*
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require ARS $3,320,000 in Buenos Aires you would need to make just about ARS $2,517,834 (R$ 11,909) in Rio de Janeiro.
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