Cost of living in São Paulo (Brazil) is 76% cheaper than in New York City (United States)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 2,639 prices entered by 367 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 70% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in São Paulo (Brazil) is 70% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | New York City | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R$ 46 ($8) | $22 | - 65% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R$ 37 ($6) | $15 | - 58% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R$ 12 ($1.95) | $8 | - 76% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R$ 5.78 ($0.96) | $1.71 | - 44% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R$ 15 ($2.46) | $9 | - 72% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R$ 10 ($1.59) | $8 | - 79% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R$ 27 ($4.40) | $6 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R$ 13 ($2.17) | $5.03 | - 57% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R$ 9 ($1.46) | $2.62 | - 44% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R$ 6 ($1.03) | $8 | - 87% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R$ 55 ($9) | $25 | - 64% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R$ 10 ($1.69) | $3.11 | - 46% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R$ 4.58 ($0.76) | $4.53 | - 83% | |
| Housing | - 81% | |||
| Housing in São Paulo (Brazil) is 81% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | New York City | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R$ 6,322 ($1,047) | $5,313 | - 80% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R$ 4,133 ($685) | $4,018 | - 83% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R$ 621 ($103) | $316 | - 67% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R$ 4,278 ($708) | $4,371 | - 84% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R$ 2,673 ($443) | $2,618 | - 83% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R$ 480 ($80) | $224 | - 64% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R$ 80 ($13) | $72 | - 82% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R$ 1,843 ($305) | $446 | - 32% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R$ 652 ($108) | $173 | - 38% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R$ 34 ($5.64) | $16 | - 65% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R$ 26 ($4.25) | $35 | - 88% | |
| Clothes | - 46% | |||
| Clothes in São Paulo (Brazil) is 46% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | New York City | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R$ 280 ($46) | $84 | - 45% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R$ 265 ($44) | $67 | - 34% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R$ 472 ($78) | $138 | - 43% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R$ 394 ($65) | $289 | - 77% | |
| Transportation | - 72% | |||
| Transportation in São Paulo (Brazil) is 72% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | New York City | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R$ 125,720 ($20,821) | $57,529 | - 64% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R$ 5.60 ($0.93) | $1.08 | - 14% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R$ 277 ($46) | $192 | - 76% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R$ 43 ($7) | $40 | - 82% | |
| Personal Care | - 79% | |||
| Personal Care in São Paulo (Brazil) is 79% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | New York City | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R$ 23 ($3.79) | $22 | - 83% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R$ 41 ($7) | $55 | - 88% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R$ 341 ($56) | $183 | - 69% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R$ 17 ($2.80) | $18 | - 84% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R$ 14 ($2.29) | $10 | - 76% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R$ 19 ($3.11) | $17 | - 82% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R$ 8 ($1.27) | $8 | - 85% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R$ 5.42 ($0.90) | $1.97 | - 54% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R$ 73 ($12) | $45 | - 73% | |
| Entertainment | - 82% | |||
| Entertainment in São Paulo (Brazil) is 82% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | New York City | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R$ 128 ($21) | $102 | - 79% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R$ 74 ($12) | $52 | - 76% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R$ 280 ($46) | $575 | - 92% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R$ 293 ($48) | $183 | - 74% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R$ 37 ($6) | $23 | - 74% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R$ 16 ($2.67) | $8 | - 65% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R$ 13 ($2.08) | $14 | - 85% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R$ 3,417 ($566) | $1,189 | - 52% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R$ 1.66 ($0.27) | $1.74 | - 84% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R$ 131 ($22) | $325 | - 93% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R$ 12 ($1.99) | $21 | - 91% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 76% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 2,639 prices entered by 367 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 13, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.16561
USD
/
BRL
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $16,000 in New York City you would need to make just about $3,782 (R$ 22,838) in São Paulo.
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Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
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