Cost of living in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 9% cheaper than in São Paulo (Brazil)
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,785 prices entered by 338 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 12% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 12% cheaper than in São Paulo (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | São Paulo | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R$ 40 | R$ 49 | - 18% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R$ 37 | R$ 37 | - 0% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R$ 10 | R$ 13 | - 22% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R$ 5.51 | R$ 5.86 | - 6% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R$ 13 | R$ 15 | - 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R$ 8 | R$ 10 | - 12% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R$ 21 | R$ 30 | - 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R$ 14 | R$ 14 | - 0% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R$ 8 | R$ 8 | - 9% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R$ 5.86 | R$ 7 | - 15% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R$ 44 | R$ 55 | - 19% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R$ 10 | R$ 11 | - 3% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R$ 4.52 | R$ 4.90 | - 8% | |
| Housing | + 1% | |||
| Housing in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is about the same as in São Paulo (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | São Paulo | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R$ 4,978 | R$ 6,296 | - 21% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R$ 3,487 | R$ 4,465 | - 22% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R$ 1,479 | R$ 609 | + 143% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R$ 4,599 | R$ 4,548 | + 1% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R$ 2,718 | R$ 3,032 | - 10% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R$ 847 | R$ 443 | + 91% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R$ 88 | R$ 90 | - 2% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R$ 1,574 | R$ 1,746 | - 10% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R$ 652 | R$ 705 | - 7% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R$ 18 | R$ 28 | - 34% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R$ 21 | R$ 26 | - 17% | |
| Clothes | - 21% | |||
| Clothes in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 21% cheaper than in São Paulo (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | São Paulo | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R$ 248 | R$ 315 | - 21% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R$ 253 | R$ 322 | - 21% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R$ 398 | R$ 497 | - 20% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R$ 316 | R$ 369 | - 15% | |
| Transportation | - 2% | |||
| Transportation in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is about the same as in São Paulo (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | São Paulo | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R$ 113,645 | R$ 126,478 | - 10% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R$ 5.99 | R$ 5.81 | + 3% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R$ 283 | R$ 291 | - 3% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | R$ 56 | R$ 46 | + 23% | |
| Personal Care | - 14% | |||
| Personal Care in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 14% cheaper than in São Paulo (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | São Paulo | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R$ 15 | R$ 25 | - 38% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R$ 58 | R$ 49 | + 17% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R$ 285 | R$ 329 | - 13% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R$ 17 | R$ 17 | - 3% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R$ 13 | R$ 14 | - 12% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R$ 17 | R$ 23 | - 24% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R$ 5.92 | R$ 8 | - 26% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R$ 4.65 | R$ 7 | - 36% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R$ 53 | R$ 79 | - 33% | |
| Entertainment | - 27% | |||
| Entertainment in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) is 27% cheaper than in São Paulo (Brazil) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Rio de Janeiro | São Paulo | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R$ 123 | R$ 139 | - 11% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R$ 61 | R$ 73 | - 17% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R$ 219 | R$ 374 | - 41% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R$ 291 | R$ 318 | - 9% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R$ 36 | R$ 39 | - 8% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R$ 17 | R$ 17 | - 1% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R$ 11 | R$ 13 | - 16% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R$ 2,671 | R$ 3,548 | - 25% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R$ 0.73 | R$ 1.67 | - 56% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R$ 162 | R$ 170 | - 5% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R$ 11 | R$ 12 | - 7% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 9% | ||
These prices were last updated on March 20, 2025.
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,785 prices entered by 338 different people.
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