Cost of living in São Paulo (Brazil) is 18% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa)
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,485 prices entered by 346 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 20% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in São Paulo (Brazil) is 20% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R$ 40 (R 140) | R 141 | - 1% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R$ 34 (R 120) | R 75 | + 61% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R$ 12 (R 44) | R 44 | - 2% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R$ 6 (R 22) | R 18 | + 19% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R$ 14 (R 49) | R 42 | + 15% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R$ 9 (R 31) | R 25 | + 21% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R$ 28 (R 100) | R 68 | + 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R$ 10 (R 37) | R 26 | + 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R$ 6 (R 23) | R 21 | + 5% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R$ 6 (R 23) | R 21 | + 9% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R$ 43 (R 151) | R 98 | + 54% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R$ 9 (R 32) | R 23 | + 42% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R$ 5.66 (R 20) | R 16 | + 26% | |
| Housing | + 14% | |||
| Housing in São Paulo (Brazil) is 14% more expensive than 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$ 5,167 (R 18,193) | R 13,780 | + 32% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R$ 3,570 (R 12,571) | R 10,879 | + 16% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R$ 606 (R 2,134) | R 1,590 | + 34% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R$ 3,656 (R 12,873) | R 8,082 | + 59% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R$ 2,225 (R 7,834) | R 5,851 | + 34% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R$ 398 (R 1,400) | R 1,305 | + 7% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R$ 100 (R 353) | R 670 | - 47% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R$ 1,969 (R 6,935) | R 6,060 | + 14% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R$ 699 (R 2,461) | R 1,875 | + 31% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R$ 33 (R 115) | R 93 | + 23% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R$ 23 (R 80) | R 53 | + 52% | |
| Clothes | + 29% | |||
| Clothes in São Paulo (Brazil) is 29% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R$ 281 (R 989) | R 844 | + 17% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R$ 256 (R 900) | R 591 | + 52% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R$ 445 (R 1,567) | R 1,667 | - 6% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R$ 338 (R 1,189) | R 1,353 | - 12% | |
| Transportation | + 7% | |||
| Transportation in São Paulo (Brazil) is 7% more expensive 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$ 120,282 (R 423,525) | R 328,375 | + 29% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R$ 5.80 (R 20) | R 24 | - 14% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R$ 244 (R 859) | R 812 | + 6% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R$ 40 (R 140) | R 162 | - 14% | |
| Personal Care | + 23% | |||
| Personal Care in São Paulo (Brazil) is 23% 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$ 28 (R 98) | R 60 | + 62% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R$ 54 (R 190) | R 233 | - 18% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R$ 270 (R 950) | R 569 | + 67% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R$ 22 (R 76) | R 44 | + 72% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R$ 14 (R 50) | R 32 | + 53% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R$ 20 (R 70) | R 57 | + 22% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R$ 9 (R 31) | R 32 | - 5% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R$ 7 (R 25) | R 23 | + 9% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R$ 70 (R 248) | R 181 | + 37% | |
| Entertainment | + 46% | |||
| Entertainment in São Paulo (Brazil) is 46% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| São Paulo | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R$ 136 (R 478) | R 510 | - 6% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R$ 76 (R 266) | R 238 | + 12% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R$ 277 (R 975) | R 792 | + 23% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R$ 211 (R 742) | R 647 | + 15% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R$ 34 (R 121) | R 83 | + 45% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R$ 10 (R 37) | R 34 | + 7% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R$ 12 (R 43) | R 30 | + 46% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R$ 5,100 (R 17,959) | R 9,055 | + 98% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R$ 1.34 (R 4.73) | R 1.80 | + 162% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R$ 136 (R 478) | R 457 | + 5% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R$ 11 (R 38) | R 47 | - 19% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 18% | ||
These prices were last updated on March 28, 2023.
Exchange rate:
3.521
ZAR
/
BRL
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,485 prices entered by 346 different people.
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