Cost of living in Brasília (Brazil) is 8% more expensive than in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,380 prices entered by 152 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 16% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Brasília (Brazil) is 16% more expensive than in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Brasília | Rio de Janeiro | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R$ 45 | R$ 41 | + 11% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R$ 39 | R$ 38 | + 3% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R$ 14 | R$ 10 | + 37% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R$ 5.40 | R$ 5.82 | - 7% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R$ 18 | R$ 13 | + 40% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R$ 8 | R$ 9 | - 10% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R$ 39 | R$ 22 | + 73% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R$ 15 | R$ 14 | + 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R$ 6 | R$ 8 | - 16% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R$ 8 | R$ 5.82 | + 29% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R$ 52 | R$ 41 | + 25% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R$ 11 | R$ 10 | + 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R$ 6 | R$ 4.56 | + 37% | |
| Housing | + 6% | |||
| Housing in Brasília (Brazil) is 6% more expensive than in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Brasília | Rio de Janeiro | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R$ 6,843 | R$ 4,776 | + 43% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R$ 4,850 | R$ 3,355 | + 45% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R$ 876 | R$ 1,141 | - 23% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R$ 3,727 | R$ 4,201 | - 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R$ 2,133 | R$ 2,718 | - 22% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R$ 464 | R$ 847 | - 45% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R$ 103 | R$ 89 | + 16% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R$ 1,973 | R$ 1,574 | + 25% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R$ 619 | R$ 652 | - 5% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R$ 35 | R$ 18 | + 93% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R$ 23 | R$ 21 | + 7% | |
| Clothes | + 9% | |||
| Clothes in Brasília (Brazil) is 9% more expensive than in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Brasília | Rio de Janeiro | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R$ 270 | R$ 248 | + 9% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R$ 259 | R$ 253 | + 3% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R$ 511 | R$ 409 | + 25% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R$ 378 | R$ 316 | + 20% | |
| Transportation | + 0% | |||
| Transportation in Brasília (Brazil) is about the same as in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Brasília | Rio de Janeiro | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R$ 106,724 | R$ 113,645 | - 6% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R$ 6 | R$ 6 | + 4% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R$ 248 | R$ 269 | - 8% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R$ 118 | R$ 56 | + 110% | |
| Personal Care | + 8% | |||
| Personal Care in Brasília (Brazil) is 8% more expensive than in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Brasília | Rio de Janeiro | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R$ 25 | R$ 15 | + 62% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R$ 53 | R$ 58 | - 7% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R$ 275 | R$ 285 | - 3% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R$ 23 | R$ 17 | + 34% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R$ 13 | R$ 13 | + 2% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R$ 17 | R$ 17 | - 5% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R$ 7 | R$ 5.92 | + 17% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R$ 7 | R$ 4.65 | + 41% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R$ 86 | R$ 53 | + 62% | |
| Entertainment | + 18% | |||
| Entertainment in Brasília (Brazil) is 18% more expensive than in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Brasília | Rio de Janeiro | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R$ 151 | R$ 123 | + 23% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R$ 66 | R$ 61 | + 8% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R$ 255 | R$ 219 | + 16% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R$ 242 | R$ 281 | - 14% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R$ 35 | R$ 36 | - 3% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R$ 14 | R$ 17 | - 18% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R$ 16 | R$ 11 | + 42% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R$ 2,951 | R$ 2,671 | + 10% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R$ 1.24 | R$ 0.73 | + 70% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R$ 183 | R$ 162 | + 13% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R$ 15 | R$ 11 | + 30% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 8% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,380 prices entered by 152 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 18, 2025.
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For example, you would need at least R$ 14,007 in Brasília to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with R$ 13,000 in Rio de Janeiro.
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