Cost of living in Nicaragua compared to Brazil
Currency:
Food | + 39% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Nicaragua is 39% more expensive than in Brazil | ||||
Nicaragua | Brazil | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 452 C$ (R$ 68) | R$ 38 | + 78% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 235 C$ (R$ 36) | R$ 38 | - 6% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 101 C$ (R$ 15) | R$ 12 | + 24% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 43 C$ (R$ 6) | R$ 5.63 | + 15% | |
12 eggs, large | 87 C$ (R$ 13) | R$ 13 | - 2% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 48 C$ (R$ 7) | R$ 8 | - 3% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 91 C$ (R$ 14) | R$ 27 | - 49% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 153 C$ (R$ 23) | R$ 13 | + 84% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 95 C$ (R$ 14) | R$ 6 | + 129% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 52 C$ (R$ 8) | R$ 7 | + 17% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 797 C$ (R$ 121) | R$ 48 | + 150% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 50 C$ (R$ 8) | R$ 10 | - 25% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 48 C$ (R$ 7) | R$ 4.48 | + 62% | |
Housing | - 45% | |||
Housing in Nicaragua is 45% cheaper than in Brazil | ||||
Nicaragua | Brazil | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 10,000 C$ (R$ 1,514) | R$ 4,114 | - 63% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 7,000 C$ (R$ 1,060) | R$ 2,733 | - 61% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,198 C$ (R$ 181) | R$ 685 | - 74% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 7,000 C$ (R$ 1,060) | R$ 3,006 | - 65% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 3,600 C$ (R$ 545) | R$ 1,958 | - 72% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 600 C$ (R$ 91) | R$ 533 | - 83% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 855 C$ (R$ 129) | R$ 90 | + 43% | |
40” flat screen tv | 15,263 C$ (R$ 2,311) | R$ 1,857 | + 24% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 3,393 C$ (R$ 514) | R$ 644 | - 20% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 263 C$ (R$ 40) | R$ 34 | + 19% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 231 C$ (R$ 35) | R$ 22 | + 61% | |
Clothes | - 21% | |||
Clothes in Nicaragua is 21% cheaper than in Brazil | ||||
Nicaragua | Brazil | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,942 C$ (R$ 294) | R$ 285 | + 3% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,000 C$ (R$ 151) | R$ 273 | - 45% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,725 C$ (R$ 413) | R$ 411 | + 0% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 2,600 C$ (R$ 394) | R$ 324 | + 21% | |
Transportation | - 44% | |||
Transportation in Nicaragua is 44% cheaper than in Brazil | ||||
Nicaragua | Brazil | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 556,894 C$ (R$ 84,315) | R$ 114,992 | - 27% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 48 C$ (R$ 7) | R$ 6 | + 16% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 510 C$ (R$ 77) | R$ 253 | - 69% | |
Personal Care | + 3% | |||
Personal Care in Nicaragua is about the same as in Brazil | ||||
Nicaragua | Brazil | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 278 C$ (R$ 42) | R$ 22 | + 93% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 84 C$ (R$ 13) | R$ 51 | - 75% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 650 C$ (R$ 98) | R$ 303 | - 67% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 150 C$ (R$ 23) | R$ 24 | - 4% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 160 C$ (R$ 24) | R$ 14 | + 75% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 221 C$ (R$ 34) | R$ 22 | + 54% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 117 C$ (R$ 18) | R$ 8 | + 133% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 69 C$ (R$ 10) | R$ 5.89 | + 76% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 257 C$ (R$ 39) | R$ 60 | - 35% | |
Entertainment | - 38% | |||
Entertainment in Nicaragua is 38% cheaper than in Brazil | ||||
Nicaragua | Brazil | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 446 C$ (R$ 68) | R$ 114 | - 41% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 391 C$ (R$ 59) | R$ 61 | - 3% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 700 C$ (R$ 106) | R$ 246 | - 57% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,000 C$ (R$ 151) | R$ 235 | - 36% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 300 C$ (R$ 45) | R$ 32 | + 42% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 250 C$ (R$ 38) | R$ 16 | + 130% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 79 C$ (R$ 12) | R$ 12 | - 2% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 16,876 C$ (R$ 2,555) | R$ 3,732 | - 32% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2.00 C$ (R$ 0.30) | R$ 1.58 | - 81% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 559 C$ (R$ 85) | R$ 140 | - 39% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 168 C$ (R$ 25) | R$ 15 | + 68% | |
TOTAL | - 25% |

These prices were last updated on July 18, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.15140
BRL
/
NIO
Cost of living in Nicaragua is 25% cheaper than in Brazil
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