Cost of Living in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Are you considering a move to Sao Paulo, Brazil, and wondering about the cost of living? Sao Paulo is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in Sao Paulo and help you understand whether $1545 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $462.59.

Restaurants
Markets
Transportation
Childcare
Clothing
Rent Per Month
Buy Apartment
Salaries
Sao Paulo, Brazil
restaurant

Restaurants

Price

World Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

7.17 $

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

40.98 $

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

7.79 $

Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)

2.46 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

4.1 $

Cappuccino (regular)

1.89 $

Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)

1.31 $

Water (12 oz small bottle)

0.93 $

store

Markets

Price

World Range

Milk (regular), (1 gallon)

1.13 $

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)

2.0 $

Rice (white), (1 lb)

1.37 $

Eggs (regular) (12)

2.77 $

Local Cheese (1 lb)

10.8 $

Chicken Fillets (1 lb)

4.35 $

Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

9.28 $

Apples (1 lb)

2.42 $

Banana (1 lb)

1.8 $

Oranges (1 lb)

1.24 $

Tomato (1 lb)

1.86 $

Potato (1 lb)

1.26 $

Onion (1 lb)

1.34 $

Lettuce (1 head)

0.99 $

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

0.81 $

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

10.24 $

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

1.62 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

3.35 $

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

2.46 $

commute

Transportation

Price

World Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

0.9 $

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

49.17 $

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

1.23 $

Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)

0.82 $

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

10.04 $

Gasoline (1 gallon)

1.08 $

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

22536.37 $

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

30877.39 $

mark_as_unread

Utilities (Monthly)

Price

World Range

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment

63.68 $

1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)

--

Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)

22.95 $

kitesurfing

Sports And Leisure

Price

World Range

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

31.11 $

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

38.3 $

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat

8.2 $

child_friendly

Childcare

Price

World Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

479.35 $

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

12341.34 $

checkroom

Clothing And Shoes

Price

World Range

1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

61.01 $

1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)

58.22 $

1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)

88.31 $

1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes

77.17 $

night_shelter

Rent Per Month

Price

World Range

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

541.34 $

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre

356.83 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre

1180.92 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre

739.07 $

home

Buy Apartment Price

Price

World Range

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre

2692.19 $

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre

1871.93 $

account_balance_wallet

Salaries And Financing

Price

World Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

462.59 $

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

10.69 %

Cost of Living in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the monthly cost of living in Sao Paulo?

The monthly expenses for living in Sao Paulo come to a total of approximately $1545. This includes an average monthly rent of around $541 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $75 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $516 per month.

How affordable is living in Sao Paulo?

Living in Sao Paulo appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $462.59. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Sao Paulo, you would likely need an income exceeding $462.59.

What is the average salary in Sao Paulo?

In Sao Paulo, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $462.59, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.

What is the average rent in Sao Paulo?

The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of Sao Paulo is approximately $541. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $356.83 for such an apartment.

What is the cost of groceries in Sao Paulo?

The expense for groceries in Sao Paulo can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $394 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.

What is the cost of living in Brazil?

The cost of living in Brazil can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout Brazil.

Sao Paulo, Brazil

How Safe Is Sao Paulo, Brazil for Travel?
Warnings & Dangers in Sao Paulo, Brazil

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

If you take into consideration all the possible dangers in Sao Paulo, it is an averagely safe city. As in any other city, some unsafe parts should be avoided, particularly at night.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

Public transport in Sao Paulo can be considered unsafe. While the metro and buses are believed to be generally safe, buses and bus stops are risky, mainly at night.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

Areas around Praca de Sé, the metro and bus, and train stations, as well as crowded zones, are the main locations of the pickpockets. Thieves also operate in markets and hotels. Caution is compulsory when traveling at night through rural areas since a few precautions will minimize the chance of being pickpocketed.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Some natural disasters, like the flooding caused by the heavy rainfall, which affects the mud to rush down the mountains and destroy the towns by knocking down houses are possible in Sao Paulo.

MUGGING RISK: HIGH

Mugging and kidnapping are very common in Sao Paulo particularly in urban areas where tourists are forced to take their money from ATMs and give it to the kidnappers to be released. The best solution to avoid the risk of being kidnapped during the night is to travel in a private car.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

When the terrorism risk is concerned, Sao Paulo is believed to be a very safe city and it is marked as a low-threat location for terrorist activity.

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

Tourist places are locations where lawbreakers will try to scam you. In Sao Paulo, tourists should be extremely cautious around ATMs and avoid being surrounded by groups of teenagers with strange behavior or people who want to help them.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women are generally safe in Sao Paulo and can walk alone through the city, but still, nights are extremely dangerous, so it is not always advisable for a female to find herself alone on empty and dark streets.

Useful Information & Tips
credit_card

Visas

Tourists from the US who want to visit Brazil have to pay a 160$ fee to get the visa. However, some other countries do not need visas if it is less than 90 days visit. Travelers can check the official Brazil tourism website to get information about visas.

currency_exchange

Currency

Brazil’s official currency is the Brazilian Real (R$). Even though Brazil is one of the most expensive countries in South America, it is considered a relatively cheap tourist destination.

cloudy_snowing

Weather

Sao Paulo is the city that can be visited throughout the whole year because winter temperatures range between 8 and 21 °C. The record high temperature was 37.8 °C and the lowest −2 ° C. Because of its elevation, Sao Paulo has a temperate climate.

flight_takeoff

Airports

There are two main airports in Sao Paulo, São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport and Congonhas-São Paulo Airport for domestic flights. The number of air passenger movements makes Sao Paulo one of the top 15 busiest airports in the world. Other alternative airports are Viracopos-Campinas International Airport, São José dos Campos Airport and Jundiaí Airport which can be used to avoid the crowds.

health_and_safety

Travel Insurance

When traveling anywhere in the world, accidents and illnesses cannot be predicted. So when traveling to Sao Paulo, it is suggested to have international travel health insurance as well as the insurance in case of theft and loss of personal items.

Sao Paulo, Brazil

What about weather in Sao Paulo, Brazil ?
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 82°F 82°F 81°F 78°F 73°F 72°F 72°F 74°F 75°F 77°F 79°F 81°F
Temp 74°F 75°F 73°F 71°F 66°F 63°F 63°F 64°F 66°F 69°F 71°F 73°F
Low 69°F 69°F 68°F 65°F 60°F 57°F 56°F 57°F 60°F 63°F 65°F 67°F
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 27°C 27°C 27°C 25°C 22°C 22°C 22°C 23°C 23°C 25°C 26°C 27°C
Temp 23°C 23°C 22°C 21°C 18°C 17°C 17°C 17°C 18°C 20°C 21°C 22°C
Low 20°C 20°C 20°C 18°C 15°C 13°C 13°C 13°C 15°C 17°C 18°C 19°C

Comparison Cost of living in other cities in Brazil with Sao Paulo

Comparison Cost of living in other cities

Cost of living in countries