Cost of living in Fortaleza (Brazil) is 67% cheaper than in Santa Barbara, California (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 440 prices entered by 43 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 66% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Fortaleza (Brazil) is 66% cheaper than in Santa Barbara, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Fortaleza | Santa Barbara, California | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R$ 26 ($4.56) | $23 | - 80% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R$ 36 ($6) | $10 | - 41% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R$ 11 ($1.98) | $8 | - 75% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R$ 5.63 ($0.98) | $1.21 | - 19% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R$ 12 ($2.01) | $5.63 | - 64% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R$ 8 ($1.40) | $5.50 | - 75% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R$ 19 ($3.23) | $9 | - 64% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R$ 13 ($2.35) | $3.67 | - 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R$ 7 ($1.27) | $2.09 | - 39% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R$ 5.81 ($1.01) | $3.42 | - 70% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R$ 40 ($7) | $20 | - 66% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R$ 10 ($1.80) | $2.12 | - 15% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R$ 4.86 ($0.85) | $3.66 | - 77% | |
| Housing | - 84% | |||
| Housing in Fortaleza (Brazil) is 84% cheaper than in Santa Barbara, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Fortaleza | Santa Barbara, California | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R$ 2,892 ($504) | $4,852 | - 90% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R$ 2,115 ($369) | $3,361 | - 89% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R$ 610 ($106) | $153 | - 30% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R$ 2,797 ($488) | $2,978 | - 84% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R$ 2,074 ($362) | $2,266 | - 84% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R$ 463 ($81) | $101 | - 20% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R$ 69 ($12) | $90 | - 87% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R$ 1,789 ($312) | $763 | - 59% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R$ 707 ($123) | - | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R$ 26 ($4.50) | $16 | - 72% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R$ 16 ($2.81) | $28 | - 90% | |
| Clothes | - 35% | |||
| Clothes in Fortaleza (Brazil) is 35% cheaper than in Santa Barbara, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Fortaleza | Santa Barbara, California | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R$ 252 ($44) | $59 | - 26% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R$ 254 ($44) | $69 | - 36% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R$ 384 ($67) | $102 | - 34% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R$ 287 ($50) | $108 | - 54% | |
| Transportation | - 25% | |||
| Transportation in Fortaleza (Brazil) is 25% cheaper than in Santa Barbara, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Fortaleza | Santa Barbara, California | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R$ 89,710 ($15,642) | $21,036 | - 26% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R$ 6 ($1.05) | $1.38 | - 24% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R$ 188 ($33) | $45 | - 27% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R$ 56 ($10) | - | - | |
| Personal Care | - 73% | |||
| Personal Care in Fortaleza (Brazil) is 73% cheaper than in Santa Barbara, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Fortaleza | Santa Barbara, California | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R$ 28 ($4.85) | $13 | - 63% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R$ 59 ($10) | $30 | - 66% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R$ 162 ($28) | $168 | - 83% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R$ 22 ($3.76) | $14 | - 73% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R$ 11 ($2.00) | $8 | - 76% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R$ 16 ($2.82) | $8 | - 66% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R$ 8 ($1.47) | $5.31 | - 72% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R$ 5.86 ($1.02) | $3.56 | - 71% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R$ 74 ($13) | $25 | - 49% | |
| Entertainment | - 58% | |||
| Entertainment in Fortaleza (Brazil) is 58% cheaper than in Santa Barbara, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Fortaleza | Santa Barbara, California | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R$ 76 ($13) | $59 | - 77% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R$ 59 ($10) | $25 | - 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R$ 242 ($42) | $226 | - 81% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R$ 249 ($43) | $98 | - 56% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R$ 28 ($4.95) | $15 | - 67% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R$ 15 ($2.68) | $5.16 | - 48% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R$ 12 ($2.02) | $7 | - 71% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R$ 3,769 ($657) | $1,200 | - 45% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R$ 0.85 ($0.15) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R$ 130 ($23) | $78 | - 71% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R$ 11 ($1.87) | $11 | - 83% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 67% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 440 prices entered by 43 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 22, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.17436
USD
/
BRL
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $15,000 in Santa Barbara, California you would need to make just about $4,943 (R$ 28,349) in Fortaleza.
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