Cost of living in São Paulo (Brazil) is 26% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 4,527 prices entered by 512 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.
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Currency:
| Food | - 46% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in São Paulo (Brazil) is 46% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R$ 46 (ARS $7,855) | ARS $20,861 | - 62% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R$ 37 (ARS $6,359) | ARS $12,953 | - 51% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R$ 12 (ARS $2,141) | ARS $4,748 | - 55% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R$ 5.68 (ARS $974) | ARS $1,588 | - 39% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R$ 15 (ARS $2,608) | ARS $3,345 | - 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R$ 10 (ARS $1,655) | ARS $2,880 | - 43% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R$ 28 (ARS $4,875) | ARS $8,564 | - 43% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R$ 13 (ARS $2,311) | ARS $2,520 | - 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R$ 9 (ARS $1,511) | ARS $1,307 | + 16% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R$ 7 (ARS $1,120) | ARS $2,409 | - 54% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R$ 57 (ARS $9,760) | ARS $7,282 | + 34% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R$ 10 (ARS $1,754) | ARS $3,033 | - 42% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R$ 4.66 (ARS $799) | ARS $1,580 | - 49% | |
| Housing | - 3% | |||
| Housing in São Paulo (Brazil) is about the same as in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R$ 6,373 (ARS $1,092,787) | ARS $1,133,520 | - 4% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R$ 4,166 (ARS $714,326) | ARS $689,151 | + 4% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R$ 680 (ARS $116,618) | ARS $86,117 | + 35% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R$ 4,356 (ARS $746,883) | ARS $613,349 | + 22% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R$ 2,763 (ARS $473,810) | ARS $439,683 | + 8% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R$ 538 (ARS $92,313) | ARS $59,714 | + 55% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R$ 85 (ARS $14,504) | ARS $26,860 | - 46% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R$ 1,835 (ARS $314,684) | ARS $460,363 | - 32% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R$ 652 (ARS $111,875) | ARS $258,783 | - 57% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R$ 33 (ARS $5,658) | ARS $7,340 | - 23% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R$ 25 (ARS $4,322) | ARS $5,266 | - 18% | |
| Clothes | - 50% | |||
| Clothes in São Paulo (Brazil) is 50% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R$ 304 (ARS $52,062) | ARS $143,226 | - 64% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R$ 284 (ARS $48,616) | ARS $84,330 | - 42% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R$ 471 (ARS $80,782) | ARS $163,036 | - 50% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R$ 393 (ARS $67,431) | ARS $120,444 | - 44% | |
| Transportation | + 9% | |||
| Transportation in São Paulo (Brazil) is 9% more expensive than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R$ 127,152 (ARS $21,803,723) | ARS $34,323,700 | - 36% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R$ 5.66 (ARS $971) | ARS $1,186 | - 18% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R$ 285 (ARS $48,937) | ARS $31,909 | + 53% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R$ 49 (ARS $8,373) | ARS $11,371 | - 26% | |
| Personal Care | - 31% | |||
| Personal Care in São Paulo (Brazil) is 31% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R$ 23 (ARS $4,020) | ARS $7,806 | - 48% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R$ 46 (ARS $7,803) | ARS $19,149 | - 59% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R$ 351 (ARS $60,260) | ARS $29,395 | + 105% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R$ 18 (ARS $3,131) | ARS $8,705 | - 64% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R$ 14 (ARS $2,475) | ARS $3,060 | - 19% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R$ 22 (ARS $3,693) | ARS $5,946 | - 38% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R$ 8 (ARS $1,361) | ARS $4,206 | - 68% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R$ 5.42 (ARS $929) | ARS $3,639 | - 74% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R$ 84 (ARS $14,331) | ARS $13,488 | + 6% | |
| Entertainment | - 45% | |||
| Entertainment in São Paulo (Brazil) is 45% cheaper than in Buenos Aires (Argentina) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Buenos Aires | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R$ 131 (ARS $22,381) | ARS $42,297 | - 47% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R$ 74 (ARS $12,662) | ARS $18,899 | - 33% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R$ 304 (ARS $52,198) | ARS $54,324 | - 4% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R$ 293 (ARS $50,223) | ARS $70,152 | - 28% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R$ 39 (ARS $6,671) | ARS $11,767 | - 43% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R$ 16 (ARS $2,826) | ARS $5,411 | - 48% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R$ 13 (ARS $2,149) | ARS $8,473 | - 75% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R$ 3,556 (ARS $609,822) | ARS $1,481,960 | - 59% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R$ 2.08 (ARS $356) | ARS $573 | - 38% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R$ 135 (ARS $23,210) | ARS $45,199 | - 49% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R$ 12 (ARS $2,050) | ARS $4,666 | - 56% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 26% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 4,527 prices entered by 512 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 22, 2025.
Exchange rate:
171.478
ARS
/
BRL
*
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require ARS $3,530,000 in Buenos Aires you would need to make just about ARS $2,619,138 (R$ 15,274) in São Paulo.
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