Cost of living in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 10% cheaper than in Santos, Sao Paulo (Brazil)
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,107 prices entered by 127 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 9% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 9% cheaper than in Santos, Sao Paulo (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Santos, Sao Paulo | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R$ 38 | R$ 33 | + 17% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R$ 33 | R$ 30 | + 9% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R$ 12 | R$ 10 | + 15% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R$ 6 | R$ 5.12 | + 26% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R$ 12 | R$ 14 | - 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R$ 8 | R$ 13 | - 38% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R$ 26 | R$ 26 | + 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R$ 9 | R$ 9 | + 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R$ 6 | R$ 7 | - 6% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R$ 6.00 | R$ 7 | - 10% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R$ 45 | R$ 48 | - 8% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R$ 8 | R$ 10 | - 12% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R$ 4.34 | R$ 9 | - 51% | |
| Housing | + 8% | |||
| Housing in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 8% more expensive than in Santos, Sao Paulo (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Santos, Sao Paulo | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R$ 4,006 | R$ 4,063 | - 1% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R$ 3,118 | R$ 2,827 | + 10% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R$ 854 | R$ 817 | + 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R$ 3,673 | R$ 1,798 | + 104% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R$ 2,257 | R$ 1,612 | + 40% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R$ 665 | R$ 866 | - 23% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R$ 81 | R$ 135 | - 40% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R$ 1,846 | R$ 2,363 | - 22% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R$ 712 | R$ 522 | + 36% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R$ 28 | R$ 26 | + 10% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R$ 21 | R$ 21 | - 1% | |
| Clothes | + 18% | |||
| Clothes in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 18% more expensive than in Santos, Sao Paulo (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Santos, Sao Paulo | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R$ 272 | R$ 229 | + 19% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R$ 237 | R$ 200 | + 18% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R$ 443 | R$ 354 | + 25% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R$ 271 | R$ 270 | + 0% | |
| Transportation | - 25% | |||
| Transportation in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 25% cheaper than in Santos, Sao Paulo (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Santos, Sao Paulo | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R$ 99,038 | R$ 170,086 | - 42% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R$ 7 | R$ 6 | + 4% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R$ 224 | R$ 302 | - 26% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R$ 41 | R$ 29 | + 45% | |
| Personal Care | + 0% | |||
| Personal Care in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is about the same as in Santos, Sao Paulo (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Santos, Sao Paulo | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R$ 27 | R$ 13 | + 103% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R$ 42 | R$ 62 | - 33% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R$ 265 | R$ 264 | + 0% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R$ 22 | R$ 23 | - 5% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R$ 12 | R$ 11 | + 4% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R$ 16 | R$ 18 | - 14% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R$ 8 | R$ 6 | + 23% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R$ 5.29 | R$ 4.28 | + 24% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R$ 64 | R$ 51 | + 25% | |
| Entertainment | - 9% | |||
| Entertainment in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 9% cheaper than in Santos, Sao Paulo (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | Santos, Sao Paulo | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R$ 133 | R$ 107 | + 25% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R$ 59 | R$ 81 | - 26% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R$ 156 | R$ 171 | - 9% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R$ 193 | R$ 178 | + 8% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R$ 33 | R$ 31 | + 6% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R$ 16 | R$ 9 | + 77% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R$ 11 | R$ 11 | - 3% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R$ 4,126 | R$ 4,464 | - 8% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R$ 1.29 | R$ 1.91 | - 33% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R$ 134 | R$ 116 | + 16% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R$ 9 | R$ 12 | - 20% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 10% | ||
These prices were last updated on March 28, 2023.
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,107 prices entered by 127 different people.
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require R$ 13,000 in Santos, Sao Paulo you would need to make just about R$ 11,737 in Rio de Janeiro.
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