Cost of living in São Paulo (Brazil) is 7% more expensive than in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,179 prices entered by 390 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 8% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in São Paulo (Brazil) is 8% 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$ 43 | R$ 42 | + 2% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R$ 36 | R$ 36 | + 2% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R$ 12 | R$ 10 | + 29% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R$ 5.31 | R$ 5.27 | + 1% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R$ 14 | R$ 12 | + 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R$ 9 | R$ 9 | + 8% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R$ 27 | R$ 24 | + 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R$ 13 | R$ 12 | + 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R$ 9 | R$ 8 | + 15% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R$ 6 | R$ 6 | + 3% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R$ 58 | R$ 48 | + 22% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R$ 10 | R$ 10 | + 2% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R$ 4.52 | R$ 4.83 | - 6% | |
| Housing | + 3% | |||
| Housing in São Paulo (Brazil) is about the same as 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$ 6,083 | R$ 5,264 | + 16% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R$ 3,927 | R$ 3,429 | + 15% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R$ 732 | R$ 790 | - 7% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R$ 4,240 | R$ 4,858 | - 13% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R$ 2,606 | R$ 2,786 | - 6% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R$ 558 | R$ 384 | + 45% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R$ 93 | R$ 96 | - 3% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R$ 1,836 | R$ 1,697 | + 8% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R$ 630 | R$ 694 | - 9% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R$ 33 | R$ 22 | + 51% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R$ 24 | R$ 22 | + 9% | |
| Clothes | - 8% | |||
| Clothes in São Paulo (Brazil) is 8% 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$ 273 | R$ 252 | + 9% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R$ 237 | R$ 289 | - 18% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R$ 446 | R$ 427 | + 5% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R$ 401 | R$ 346 | + 16% | |
| Transportation | - 2% | |||
| Transportation in São Paulo (Brazil) is about the same as 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$ 134,846 | R$ 117,032 | + 15% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R$ 5.58 | R$ 5.81 | - 4% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R$ 292 | R$ 304 | - 4% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R$ 45 | R$ 56 | - 21% | |
| Personal Care | + 12% | |||
| Personal Care in São Paulo (Brazil) is 12% 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$ 20 | R$ 19 | + 7% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R$ 65 | R$ 57 | + 15% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R$ 352 | R$ 338 | + 4% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R$ 20 | R$ 19 | + 6% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R$ 13 | R$ 12 | + 9% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R$ 19 | R$ 18 | + 5% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R$ 8 | R$ 5.64 | + 44% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R$ 5.49 | R$ 5.21 | + 5% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R$ 74 | R$ 52 | + 42% | |
| Entertainment | + 41% | |||
| Entertainment in São Paulo (Brazil) is 41% 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$ 124 | R$ 132 | - 6% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R$ 70 | R$ 67 | + 5% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R$ 308 | R$ 201 | + 53% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R$ 301 | R$ 264 | + 14% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R$ 40 | R$ 31 | + 28% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R$ 15 | R$ 17 | - 8% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R$ 12 | R$ 10 | + 15% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R$ 3,797 | R$ 2,880 | + 32% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R$ 2.04 | R$ 0.73 | + 180% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R$ 136 | R$ 164 | - 17% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R$ 12 | R$ 10 | + 19% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 7% | ||
These prices were last updated on October 13, 2024.
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,179 prices entered by 390 different people.
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