Cost of living in Brazil compared to Japan
Currency:
Food | - 33% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Brazil is 33% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Brazil | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R$ 39 (¥1,015) | ¥1,035 | - 2% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R$ 38 (¥988) | ¥817 | + 21% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R$ 12 (¥313) | ¥618 | - 49% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R$ 5.66 (¥148) | ¥237 | - 38% | |
12 eggs, large | R$ 13 (¥347) | ¥335 | + 4% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R$ 8 (¥203) | ¥439 | - 54% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R$ 27 (¥694) | ¥1,195 | - 42% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R$ 13 (¥326) | ¥822 | - 60% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R$ 7 (¥172) | ¥509 | - 66% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R$ 7 (¥172) | ¥312 | - 45% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R$ 50 (¥1,293) | ¥1,267 | + 2% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | R$ 10 (¥263) | ¥276 | - 5% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R$ 4.58 (¥119) | ¥293 | - 59% | |
Housing | - 56% | |||
Housing in Brazil is 56% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Brazil | Japan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R$ 4,097 (¥106,869) | ¥365,082 | - 71% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R$ 2,709 (¥70,661) | ¥197,811 | - 64% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R$ 730 (¥19,051) | ¥19,132 | - 0% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R$ 3,015 (¥78,627) | ¥145,654 | - 46% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R$ 1,974 (¥51,484) | ¥106,059 | - 51% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R$ 537 (¥13,996) | ¥8,349 | + 68% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R$ 92 (¥2,389) | ¥4,448 | - 46% | |
40” flat screen tv | R$ 1,834 (¥47,839) | ¥74,559 | - 36% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R$ 641 (¥16,713) | ¥25,414 | - 34% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R$ 31 (¥812) | ¥1,338 | - 39% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | R$ 22 (¥578) | ¥2,815 | - 79% | |
Clothes | + 8% | |||
Clothes in Brazil is 8% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Brazil | Japan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R$ 284 (¥7,406) | ¥9,315 | - 20% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R$ 280 (¥7,312) | ¥5,103 | + 43% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R$ 416 (¥10,843) | ¥9,892 | + 10% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R$ 322 (¥8,398) | ¥12,189 | - 31% | |
Transportation | - 14% | |||
Transportation in Brazil is 14% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Brazil | Japan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R$ 115,564 (¥3,014,121) | ¥3,060,780 | - 2% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R$ 6 (¥161) | ¥169 | - 5% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | R$ 249 (¥6,506) | ¥8,198 | - 21% | |
Personal Care | - 46% | |||
Personal Care in Brazil is 46% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Brazil | Japan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R$ 22 (¥563) | ¥2,133 | - 74% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R$ 51 (¥1,337) | ¥2,551 | - 48% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R$ 297 (¥7,736) | - | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R$ 24 (¥625) | ¥1,337 | - 53% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R$ 14 (¥355) | ¥930 | - 62% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R$ 22 (¥564) | ¥622 | - 9% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | R$ 8 (¥198) | ¥224 | - 12% | |
Tube of toothpaste | R$ 5.70 (¥149) | ¥188 | - 21% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R$ 59 (¥1,551) | ¥4,604 | - 66% | |
Entertainment | - 28% | |||
Entertainment in Brazil is 28% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Brazil | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R$ 117 (¥3,040) | ¥4,908 | - 38% | |
2 tickets to the movies | R$ 61 (¥1,600) | ¥3,881 | - 59% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R$ 237 (¥6,184) | ¥7,212 | - 14% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R$ 238 (¥6,208) | ¥8,269 | - 25% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R$ 32 (¥843) | ¥1,244 | - 32% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R$ 16 (¥429) | ¥547 | - 22% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R$ 12 (¥314) | ¥674 | - 53% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R$ 3,681 (¥95,999) | ¥51,659 | + 86% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R$ 1.50 (¥39) | ¥52 | - 25% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | R$ 141 (¥3,666) | ¥9,530 | - 62% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R$ 15 (¥399) | ¥613 | - 35% | |
TOTAL | - 34% |

These prices were last updated on June 14, 2025.
Exchange rate:
26.082
JPY
/
BRL
Cost of living in Brazil is 34% cheaper than in Japan
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