Cost of living in São Paulo (Brazil) is 30% cheaper than in Arcata, California (United States)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 2,688 prices entered by 292 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 38% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in São Paulo (Brazil) is 38% cheaper than in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R$ 42 ($8) | $16 | - 47% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R$ 34 ($7) | $9 | - 24% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R$ 12 ($2.40) | $6 | - 61% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R$ 6 ($1.21) | $1.20 | + 1% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R$ 13 ($2.68) | $5.05 | - 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R$ 8 ($1.64) | $6 | - 75% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R$ 28 ($5.61) | $8 | - 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R$ 10 ($2.07) | $3.25 | - 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R$ 6 ($1.29) | $1.48 | - 13% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R$ 7 ($1.35) | - | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R$ 43 ($8) | - | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R$ 9 ($1.88) | - | - | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R$ 5.56 ($1.11) | - | - | |
| Housing | - 32% | |||
| Housing in São Paulo (Brazil) is 32% cheaper than in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R$ 4,968 ($990) | $1,589 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R$ 3,618 ($721) | - | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R$ 549 ($109) | $212 | - 48% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R$ 3,556 ($708) | $1,328 | - 47% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R$ 2,137 ($426) | - | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R$ 341 ($68) | - | - | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R$ 96 ($19) | $53 | - 64% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R$ 2,096 ($418) | - | - | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R$ 695 ($138) | - | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R$ 28 ($5.62) | - | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R$ 23 ($4.54) | - | - | |
| Clothes | - 54% | |||
| Clothes in São Paulo (Brazil) is 54% cheaper than in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R$ 266 ($53) | - | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R$ 248 ($49) | $158 | - 69% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R$ 466 ($93) | - | - | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R$ 344 ($69) | - | - | |
| Transportation | + 1% | |||
| Transportation in São Paulo (Brazil) is about the same as in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R$ 112,569 ($22,428) | - | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R$ 5.49 ($1.09) | $1.00 | + 9% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R$ 249 ($50) | - | - | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R$ 42 ($8) | - | - | |
| Personal Care | ||||
| Personal Care in São Paulo (Brazil) is about the same as in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R$ 22 ($4.32) | - | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R$ 50 ($10) | - | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R$ 269 ($54) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R$ 19 ($3.82) | - | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R$ 14 ($2.76) | - | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R$ 19 ($3.78) | - | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R$ 10 ($1.95) | - | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R$ 5.41 ($1.08) | - | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R$ 69 ($14) | - | - | |
| Entertainment | ||||
| Entertainment in São Paulo (Brazil) is about the same as in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R$ 135 ($27) | - | - | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R$ 81 ($16) | - | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R$ 267 ($53) | - | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R$ 215 ($43) | - | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R$ 35 ($7) | - | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R$ 11 ($2.16) | - | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R$ 12 ($2.44) | - | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R$ 5,045 ($1,005) | - | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R$ 1.41 ($0.28) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R$ 139 ($28) | - | - | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R$ 11 ($2.23) | - | - | |
 |
TOTAL | - 30% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 2,688 prices entered by 292 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 30, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.19923
USD
/
BRL
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $5,300 in Arcata, California you would need to make just about $3,732 (R$ 18,734) in São Paulo.
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