Cost of living in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 13% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa)
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,431 prices entered by 161 different people.
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| Food | + 10% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 10% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R$ 37 (R 144) | R 165 | - 13% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R$ 33 (R 128) | R 77 | + 66% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R$ 11 (R 42) | R 44 | - 4% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R$ 6 (R 25) | R 19 | + 29% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R$ 11 (R 45) | R 49 | - 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R$ 7 (R 29) | R 25 | + 16% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R$ 26 (R 104) | R 92 | + 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R$ 8 (R 33) | R 27 | + 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R$ 5.90 (R 23) | R 22 | + 7% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R$ 5.74 (R 23) | R 24 | - 5% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R$ 44 (R 173) | R 87 | + 99% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R$ 8 (R 33) | R 26 | + 26% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R$ 4.06 (R 16) | R 18 | - 10% | |
| Housing | - 7% | |||
| Housing in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 7% cheaper than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R$ 4,490 (R 17,672) | R 22,528 | - 22% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R$ 3,044 (R 11,983) | R 15,383 | - 22% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R$ 556 (R 2,190) | R 1,263 | + 73% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R$ 3,697 (R 14,551) | R 12,531 | + 16% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R$ 2,126 (R 8,368) | R 8,282 | + 1% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R$ 620 (R 2,442) | R 907 | + 169% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R$ 84 (R 331) | R 715 | - 54% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R$ 1,872 (R 7,367) | R 5,197 | + 42% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R$ 766 (R 3,015) | R 1,649 | + 83% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R$ 28 (R 111) | R 119 | - 7% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R$ 22 (R 86) | R 63 | + 36% | |
| Clothes | + 29% | |||
| Clothes in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 29% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R$ 256 (R 1,007) | R 870 | + 16% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R$ 244 (R 959) | R 639 | + 50% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R$ 433 (R 1,703) | R 1,633 | + 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R$ 275 (R 1,082) | R 1,356 | - 20% | |
| Transportation | + 19% | |||
| Transportation in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 19% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R$ 88,017 (R 346,450) | R 399,668 | - 13% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R$ 6 (R 24) | R 24 | + 4% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R$ 211 (R 830) | R 595 | + 40% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R$ 41 (R 162) | R 122 | + 33% | |
| Personal Care | + 0% | |||
| Personal Care in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is about the same as in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R$ 20 (R 79) | R 122 | - 35% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R$ 48 (R 191) | R 261 | - 27% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R$ 242 (R 954) | R 713 | + 34% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R$ 24 (R 94) | R 51 | + 84% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R$ 14 (R 56) | R 32 | + 73% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R$ 18 (R 72) | R 66 | + 9% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R$ 7 (R 29) | R 47 | - 37% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R$ 5.98 (R 24) | R 32 | - 27% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R$ 66 (R 259) | R 233 | + 11% | |
| Entertainment | + 47% | |||
| Entertainment in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 47% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R$ 129 (R 508) | R 407 | + 25% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R$ 60 (R 236) | R 206 | + 15% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R$ 183 (R 720) | R 941 | - 23% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R$ 190 (R 748) | R 644 | + 16% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R$ 32 (R 127) | R 106 | + 20% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R$ 16 (R 62) | R 34 | + 83% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R$ 11 (R 42) | R 39 | + 7% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R$ 4,433 (R 17,451) | R 9,964 | + 75% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R$ 1.29 (R 5.06) | R 1.58 | + 220% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R$ 135 (R 531) | R 655 | - 19% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R$ 10 (R 38) | R 53 | - 28% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 13% | ||
These prices were last updated on June 04, 2023.
Exchange rate:
3.936
ZAR
/
BRL
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,431 prices entered by 161 different people.
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For example, you would need at least R 79,099 (R$ 20,096) in Rio de Janeiro to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with R 70,000 in Cape Town.
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