Cost of living in São Paulo (Brazil) is 6% more expensive than in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
How much money will you need in São Paulo?
Find out with your own Salary Calculation.
Find out with your own Salary Calculation.
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,453 prices entered by 422 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
| Food | + 15% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in São Paulo (Brazil) is 15% more expensive than in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Rio de Janeiro | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R$ 45 | R$ 39 | + 16% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R$ 36 | R$ 34 | + 6% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R$ 12 | R$ 9 | + 28% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R$ 5.55 | R$ 5.15 | + 8% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R$ 14 | R$ 12 | + 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R$ 9 | R$ 8 | + 12% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R$ 29 | R$ 25 | + 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R$ 11 | R$ 10 | + 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R$ 7 | R$ 5.90 | + 12% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R$ 6 | R$ 6 | - 1% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R$ 47 | R$ 43 | + 11% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R$ 10 | R$ 9 | + 12% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R$ 5.69 | R$ 4.36 | + 31% | |
| Housing | - 7% | |||
| Housing in São Paulo (Brazil) is 7% cheaper than in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Rio de Janeiro | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R$ 5,108 | R$ 4,870 | + 5% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R$ 3,511 | R$ 3,479 | + 1% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R$ 811 | R$ 1,139 | - 29% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R$ 3,788 | R$ 3,986 | - 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R$ 2,203 | R$ 2,290 | - 4% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R$ 482 | R$ 809 | - 40% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R$ 107 | R$ 97 | + 11% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R$ 1,879 | R$ 2,112 | - 11% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R$ 665 | R$ 943 | - 29% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R$ 27 | R$ 28 | - 4% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R$ 23 | R$ 24 | - 6% | |
| Clothes | - 7% | |||
| Clothes in São Paulo (Brazil) is 7% cheaper than in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Rio de Janeiro | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R$ 272 | R$ 266 | + 2% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R$ 246 | R$ 295 | - 17% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R$ 456 | R$ 418 | + 9% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R$ 370 | R$ 285 | + 30% | |
| Transportation | + 10% | |||
| Transportation in São Paulo (Brazil) is 10% more expensive than in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Rio de Janeiro | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R$ 112,835 | R$ 78,990 | + 43% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R$ 5.42 | R$ 5.66 | - 4% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R$ 253 | R$ 234 | + 8% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R$ 43 | R$ 48 | - 10% | |
| Personal Care | + 10% | |||
| Personal Care in São Paulo (Brazil) is 10% more expensive than in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Rio de Janeiro | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R$ 22 | R$ 20 | + 13% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R$ 55 | R$ 47 | + 15% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R$ 304 | R$ 269 | + 13% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R$ 23 | R$ 23 | + 2% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R$ 14 | R$ 16 | - 10% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R$ 20 | R$ 19 | + 4% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R$ 9 | R$ 7 | + 31% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R$ 7 | R$ 4.98 | + 35% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R$ 72 | R$ 61 | + 19% | |
| Entertainment | + 15% | |||
| Entertainment in São Paulo (Brazil) is 15% more expensive than in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Rio de Janeiro | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R$ 144 | R$ 131 | + 10% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R$ 78 | R$ 74 | + 5% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R$ 248 | R$ 254 | - 2% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R$ 265 | R$ 221 | + 20% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R$ 37 | R$ 31 | + 23% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R$ 12 | R$ 16 | - 21% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R$ 13 | R$ 12 | + 2% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R$ 5,344 | R$ 3,634 | + 47% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R$ 1.24 | R$ 1.20 | + 4% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R$ 146 | R$ 142 | + 3% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R$ 11 | R$ 9 | + 22% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 6% | ||
These prices were last updated on December 04, 2023.
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,453 prices entered by 422 different people.
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Abu Dhabi is 11% cheaper than in Dubai
- Cost of living in London is 100% more expensive than in Madrid
- Cost of living in New York City is about the same as in London
- Cost of living in Dubai is 40% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in Barcelona, Spain is about the same as in Madrid
- Cost of living in Singapore is 26% more expensive than in Hong Kong
- Cost of living in Mexico City is 36% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in Santiago, Chile is 4% cheaper than in Mexico City
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 4% more expensive than in Santiago, Chile
- Cost of living in Rome is about the same as in Madrid
Compare other countries
Are you moving to São Paulo? Do you know how much money you will need there to maintain your current standard of living?
Find out what is the real equivalent in São Paulo of your current salary and improve your chances of a happy relocation.
Get a Salary Calculation for São Paulo
Do you live in Rio de Janeiro? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
Prices recently added
- 1 kg of potatoes in Dhaka costs Taka 80 (36 minutes ago)
- Hourly rate for domestic cleaning help in Montreal costs C$20 (38 minutes ago)
- Hourly rate for babysitter services in Johor Bahru costs RM20 (about 1 hour ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Barcelona, Venezuela costs $10 (about 2 hours ago)
- 1 liter of gasoline in Manila costs Php8 (about 2 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Rio de Janeiro costs R$ 35 (about 3 hours ago)