Cost of living in São Paulo (Brazil) is about the same as in Johannesburg (South Africa)
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,026 prices entered by 250 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 3% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in São Paulo (Brazil) is about the same as in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R$ 46 (R 141) | R 177 | - 20% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R$ 37 (R 114) | R 91 | + 26% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R$ 12 (R 38) | R 52 | - 26% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R$ 5.68 (R 17) | R 24 | - 26% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R$ 15 (R 47) | R 52 | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R$ 10 (R 30) | R 29 | + 2% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R$ 28 (R 88) | R 121 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R$ 13 (R 41) | R 30 | + 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R$ 9 (R 27) | R 24 | + 11% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R$ 7 (R 20) | R 23 | - 11% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R$ 57 (R 175) | R 124 | + 42% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R$ 10 (R 31) | R 26 | + 20% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R$ 4.66 (R 14) | R 14 | + 1% | |
| Housing | + 3% | |||
| Housing in São Paulo (Brazil) is about the same as in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R$ 6,373 (R 19,618) | R 14,758 | + 33% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R$ 4,166 (R 12,824) | R 12,628 | + 2% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R$ 680 (R 2,094) | R 2,181 | - 4% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R$ 4,356 (R 13,409) | R 9,335 | + 44% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R$ 2,763 (R 8,506) | R 7,457 | + 14% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R$ 538 (R 1,657) | R 1,928 | - 14% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R$ 85 (R 260) | R 662 | - 61% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R$ 1,835 (R 5,649) | R 5,457 | + 4% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R$ 652 (R 2,008) | R 1,736 | + 16% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R$ 33 (R 102) | R 128 | - 21% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R$ 25 (R 78) | R 115 | - 32% | |
| Clothes | + 6% | |||
| Clothes in São Paulo (Brazil) is 6% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R$ 304 (R 935) | R 887 | + 5% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R$ 284 (R 873) | R 768 | + 14% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R$ 471 (R 1,450) | R 1,646 | - 12% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R$ 393 (R 1,211) | R 1,348 | - 10% | |
| Transportation | - 14% | |||
| Transportation in São Paulo (Brazil) is 14% cheaper than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R$ 127,152 (R 391,434) | R 440,461 | - 11% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R$ 5.66 (R 17) | R 25 | - 29% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R$ 285 (R 879) | R 988 | - 11% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R$ 49 (R 150) | R 194 | - 23% | |
| Personal Care | + 5% | |||
| Personal Care in São Paulo (Brazil) is 5% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R$ 23 (R 72) | R 89 | - 19% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R$ 46 (R 140) | R 248 | - 43% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R$ 351 (R 1,082) | R 522 | + 107% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R$ 18 (R 56) | R 52 | + 7% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R$ 14 (R 44) | R 39 | + 14% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R$ 22 (R 66) | R 72 | - 8% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R$ 8 (R 24) | R 34 | - 29% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R$ 5.42 (R 17) | R 26 | - 36% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R$ 84 (R 257) | R 137 | + 88% | |
| Entertainment | + 34% | |||
| Entertainment in São Paulo (Brazil) is 34% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R$ 131 (R 402) | R 498 | - 19% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R$ 74 (R 227) | R 249 | - 9% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R$ 304 (R 937) | R 963 | - 3% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R$ 293 (R 902) | R 690 | + 31% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R$ 39 (R 120) | R 102 | + 18% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R$ 16 (R 51) | R 35 | + 44% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R$ 13 (R 39) | R 39 | - 2% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R$ 3,556 (R 10,948) | R 9,905 | + 11% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R$ 2.08 (R 6) | R 1.72 | + 271% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R$ 135 (R 417) | R 649 | - 36% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R$ 12 (R 37) | R 54 | - 32% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 0% | ||
These prices were last updated on January 22, 2025.
Exchange rate:
3.078
ZAR
/
BRL
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,026 prices entered by 250 different people.
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