Cost of living in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 23% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 3,018 prices entered by 325 different people.
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Buenos Aires has artificial and unrealistic official exchange rates.
You can also get this comparison using the parallel street rate in Buenos Aires.
Full price comparison, by category
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Currency:
| Food | - 44% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 44% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R$ 41 (ARS $8,678) | ARS $23,470 | - 63% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R$ 38 (ARS $8,161) | ARS $13,356 | - 39% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R$ 10 (ARS $2,243) | ARS $5,337 | - 58% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R$ 5.82 (ARS $1,242) | ARS $1,673 | - 26% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R$ 13 (ARS $2,704) | ARS $4,385 | - 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R$ 9 (ARS $1,861) | ARS $2,626 | - 29% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R$ 22 (ARS $4,779) | ARS $12,773 | - 63% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R$ 14 (ARS $2,895) | ARS $2,790 | + 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R$ 8 (ARS $1,622) | ARS $1,295 | + 25% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R$ 5.82 (ARS $1,243) | ARS $2,587 | - 52% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R$ 41 (ARS $8,833) | ARS $8,351 | + 6% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R$ 10 (ARS $2,150) | ARS $3,465 | - 38% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R$ 4.56 (ARS $974) | ARS $1,328 | - 27% | |
| Housing | + 5% | |||
| Housing in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 5% more expensive than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R$ 4,776 (ARS $1,020,255) | ARS $1,101,140 | - 7% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R$ 3,355 (ARS $716,576) | ARS $808,642 | - 11% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R$ 1,028 (ARS $219,589) | ARS $91,011 | + 141% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R$ 4,201 (ARS $897,358) | ARS $788,102 | + 14% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R$ 2,718 (ARS $580,536) | ARS $516,371 | + 12% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R$ 847 (ARS $180,929) | ARS $82,002 | + 121% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R$ 89 (ARS $19,026) | ARS $22,381 | - 15% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R$ 1,574 (ARS $336,108) | ARS $547,391 | - 39% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R$ 652 (ARS $139,365) | ARS $299,259 | - 53% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R$ 18 (ARS $3,930) | ARS $6,255 | - 37% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R$ 21 (ARS $4,554) | ARS $5,880 | - 23% | |
| Clothes | - 44% | |||
| Clothes in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 44% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R$ 248 (ARS $52,907) | ARS $130,347 | - 59% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R$ 253 (ARS $53,942) | ARS $78,575 | - 31% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R$ 409 (ARS $87,309) | ARS $138,380 | - 37% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R$ 316 (ARS $67,461) | ARS $131,418 | - 49% | |
| Transportation | + 9% | |||
| Transportation in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 9% more expensive than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R$ 113,645 (ARS $24,274,545) | ARS $32,935,900 | - 26% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R$ 6 (ARS $1,291) | ARS $1,292 | - 0% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R$ 269 (ARS $57,496) | ARS $41,586 | + 38% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R$ 57 (ARS $12,135) | ARS $18,740 | - 35% | |
| Personal Care | - 32% | |||
| Personal Care in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 32% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R$ 15 (ARS $3,298) | ARS $6,342 | - 48% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R$ 58 (ARS $12,349) | ARS $20,338 | - 39% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R$ 285 (ARS $60,938) | ARS $37,189 | + 64% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R$ 17 (ARS $3,576) | ARS $12,320 | - 71% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R$ 13 (ARS $2,699) | ARS $4,081 | - 34% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R$ 17 (ARS $3,728) | ARS $7,454 | - 50% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R$ 5.92 (ARS $1,265) | ARS $2,753 | - 54% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R$ 4.65 (ARS $994) | ARS $3,774 | - 74% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R$ 53 (ARS $11,281) | ARS $18,504 | - 39% | |
| Entertainment | - 49% | |||
| Entertainment in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 49% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R$ 123 (ARS $26,308) | ARS $45,527 | - 42% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R$ 61 (ARS $13,035) | ARS $16,622 | - 22% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R$ 219 (ARS $46,861) | ARS $50,694 | - 8% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R$ 281 (ARS $59,950) | ARS $69,033 | - 13% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R$ 36 (ARS $7,593) | ARS $9,928 | - 24% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R$ 17 (ARS $3,629) | ARS $4,488 | - 19% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R$ 11 (ARS $2,405) | ARS $4,844 | - 50% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R$ 2,774 (ARS $592,457) | ARS $1,007,870 | - 41% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R$ 0.73 (ARS $156) | ARS $683 | - 77% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R$ 162 (ARS $34,630) | ARS $37,309 | - 7% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R$ 11 (ARS $2,393) | ARS $3,412 | - 30% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 23% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 3,018 prices entered by 325 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 14, 2025.
Exchange rate:
213.600
ARS
/
BRL
*
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require ARS $3,200,000 in Buenos Aires you would need to make just about ARS $2,459,730 (R$ 11,516) in Rio de Janeiro.
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