Cost of living in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 6% cheaper than in São Paulo (Brazil)
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,563 prices entered by 428 different people.
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| Food | - 11% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 11% cheaper than in São Paulo (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | São Paulo | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R$ 40 | R$ 45 | - 12% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R$ 33 | R$ 36 | - 9% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R$ 11 | R$ 12 | - 8% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R$ 5.74 | R$ 5.75 | - 0% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R$ 12 | R$ 14 | - 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R$ 8 | R$ 9 | - 8% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R$ 28 | R$ 28 | - 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R$ 8 | R$ 11 | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R$ 5.89 | R$ 6 | - 7% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R$ 5.69 | R$ 6 | - 11% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R$ 49 | R$ 47 | + 3% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R$ 9 | R$ 10 | - 14% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R$ 4.57 | R$ 5.92 | - 23% | |
| Housing | + 3% | |||
| Housing in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is about the same as in São Paulo (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | São Paulo | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R$ 5,188 | R$ 5,122 | + 1% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R$ 3,388 | R$ 3,468 | - 2% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R$ 535 | R$ 793 | - 33% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R$ 3,978 | R$ 3,784 | + 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R$ 2,280 | R$ 2,240 | + 2% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R$ 918 | R$ 466 | + 97% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R$ 92 | R$ 104 | - 12% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R$ 1,840 | R$ 1,949 | - 6% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R$ 952 | R$ 655 | + 45% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R$ 31 | R$ 27 | + 15% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R$ 25 | R$ 23 | + 11% | |
| Clothes | - 0% | |||
| Clothes in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is about the same as in São Paulo (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | São Paulo | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R$ 293 | R$ 271 | + 8% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R$ 259 | R$ 256 | + 1% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R$ 416 | R$ 486 | - 14% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R$ 308 | R$ 358 | - 14% | |
| Transportation | - 8% | |||
| Transportation in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 8% cheaper than in São Paulo (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | São Paulo | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R$ 92,848 | R$ 115,151 | - 19% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R$ 5.42 | R$ 5.31 | + 2% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R$ 233 | R$ 247 | - 6% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R$ 41 | R$ 40 | + 4% | |
| Personal Care | - 11% | |||
| Personal Care in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 11% cheaper than in São Paulo (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | São Paulo | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R$ 20 | R$ 22 | - 9% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R$ 44 | R$ 56 | - 22% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R$ 249 | R$ 305 | - 18% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R$ 25 | R$ 23 | + 10% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R$ 14 | R$ 14 | + 5% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R$ 19 | R$ 19 | + 1% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R$ 7 | R$ 9 | - 20% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R$ 6 | R$ 5.96 | + 4% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R$ 66 | R$ 69 | - 5% | |
| Entertainment | - 10% | |||
| Entertainment in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 10% cheaper than in São Paulo (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | São Paulo | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R$ 133 | R$ 134 | - 1% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R$ 64 | R$ 79 | - 19% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R$ 262 | R$ 247 | + 6% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R$ 191 | R$ 225 | - 15% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R$ 32 | R$ 35 | - 9% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R$ 16 | R$ 11 | + 40% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R$ 11 | R$ 13 | - 9% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R$ 3,845 | R$ 5,479 | - 30% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R$ 1.29 | R$ 1.24 | + 4% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R$ 137 | R$ 151 | - 9% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R$ 10 | R$ 11 | - 14% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 6% | ||
These prices were last updated on September 24, 2023.
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,563 prices entered by 428 different people.
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require R$ 15,000 in São Paulo you would need to make just about R$ 14,111 in Rio de Janeiro.
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