Cost of living in São Paulo (Brazil) is 6% cheaper than in Cedar Falls, Iowa (United States)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 2,995 prices entered by 286 different people.
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Currency:
Food | - 31% | |||
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Food in São Paulo (Brazil) is 31% cheaper than in Cedar Falls, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
São Paulo | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R$ 40 ($8) | $11 | - 28% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R$ 34 ($7) | $7 | - 8% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R$ 12 ($2.36) | $2.62 | - 10% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R$ 6 ($1.17) | $0.76 | + 53% | |
12 eggs, large | R$ 14 ($2.63) | $1.64 | + 61% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R$ 9 ($1.65) | $2.55 | - 35% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R$ 28 ($5.40) | $4.25 | + 27% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R$ 10 ($1.98) | $3.54 | - 44% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R$ 6 ($1.22) | $1.33 | - 8% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R$ 6 ($1.24) | $6 | - 80% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R$ 43 ($8) | $12 | - 30% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | R$ 9 ($1.75) | $1.55 | + 13% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R$ 5.66 ($1.08) | $1.92 | - 44% | |
Housing | - 20% | |||
Housing in São Paulo (Brazil) is 20% cheaper than in Cedar Falls, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
São Paulo | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R$ 5,167 ($985) | $1,004 | - 2% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R$ 3,570 ($680) | $814 | - 16% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R$ 606 ($116) | $149 | - 22% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R$ 3,656 ($697) | $687 | + 1% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R$ 2,225 ($424) | $541 | - 22% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R$ 398 ($76) | $85 | - 10% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R$ 100 ($19) | $37 | - 48% | |
40” flat screen tv | R$ 1,969 ($375) | $346 | + 8% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R$ 699 ($133) | $84 | + 58% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R$ 33 ($6) | $11 | - 43% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | R$ 23 ($4.34) | $16 | - 73% | |
Clothes | + 5% | |||
Clothes in São Paulo (Brazil) is 5% more expensive than in Cedar Falls, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
São Paulo | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R$ 281 ($54) | $40 | + 33% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R$ 256 ($49) | $49 | - 1% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R$ 445 ($85) | $76 | + 11% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R$ 338 ($64) | - | - | |
Transportation | + 29% | |||
Transportation in São Paulo (Brazil) is 29% more expensive than in Cedar Falls, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
São Paulo | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R$ 120,282 ($22,926) | - | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R$ 5.80 ($1.11) | $0.73 | + 52% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | R$ 244 ($46) | $31 | + 51% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R$ 40 ($8) | $8 | - 1% | |
Personal Care | - 10% | |||
Personal Care in São Paulo (Brazil) is 10% cheaper than in Cedar Falls, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
São Paulo | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R$ 28 ($5.30) | $5.25 | + 1% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R$ 54 ($10) | $5.52 | + 87% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R$ 270 ($51) | $74 | - 30% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R$ 22 ($4.14) | $6.00 | - 31% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R$ 14 ($2.68) | $2.78 | - 3% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R$ 20 ($3.78) | $4.33 | - 13% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | R$ 9 ($1.67) | $2.49 | - 33% | |
Tube of toothpaste | R$ 7 ($1.36) | $1.38 | - 1% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R$ 70 ($13) | $16 | - 17% | |
Entertainment | - 0% | |||
Entertainment in São Paulo (Brazil) is about the same as in Cedar Falls, Iowa (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
São Paulo | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R$ 136 ($26) | $34 | - 23% | |
2 tickets to the movies | R$ 76 ($14) | $19 | - 25% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R$ 277 ($53) | $79 | - 33% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R$ 211 ($40) | $49 | - 18% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R$ 34 ($7) | $7 | - 0% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R$ 10 ($2.00) | $3.72 | - 46% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R$ 12 ($2.33) | $4.07 | - 43% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R$ 5,100 ($972) | $427 | + 128% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R$ 1.34 ($0.26) | - | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | R$ 136 ($26) | $25 | + 4% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R$ 11 ($2.05) | $7 | - 71% | |
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TOTAL | - 6% |

These prices were last updated on March 26, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.19060
USD
/
BRL
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $3,000 in Cedar Falls, Iowa you would need to make just about $2,809 (R$ 14,736) in São Paulo.
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