I lived in Brazil for a year. I split my time between São Paulo, Salvador, and a short month in Floripa. I kept my receipts. I tracked my bills. And yes, I messed up a few times (hello, surprise condo fee). If you’d like to see the expanded version with even more line-by-line numbers, I originally detailed it for Brazzil Magazine in What I Really Spend Living in Brazil: A Straight-Talk Review. You know what? Brazil can feel cheap one week and pricey the next. It depends on where you live, what you eat, and how you get around.
For context, prices are in reais (R$). Rates move. Stores run promos. But these are real numbers I paid, or saw with my own eyes, in 2023–2024.
For a broader perspective on Brazil’s ever-shifting cost of living, you might browse the reporting at Brazzil Magazine, which keeps tabs on price trends and expat experiences nationwide. Another handy resource is the crowd-sourced database at Numbeo’s detailed Brazil cost-of-living page, which updates its figures in real time.
Rent, keys, and that “condomínio” bill
Housing hit me first. Rent looks fair on websites, then you meet “condomínio” (building fee) and IPTU (local tax). They add up. Here’s what I actually paid:
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São Paulo (Pinheiros, 1-bed): R$3,200 rent + R$650 condomínio + R$60 IPTU = R$3,910/month
Power: R$220–R$320 (more with heat). Internet: R$120 (300 Mbps, Vivo). -
Salvador (Pituba, 1-bed): R$2,100 rent + R$420 condomínio + R$35 IPTU = R$2,555/month
Power: R$160–R$240. Internet: R$110 (Claro). -
Florianópolis (Canasvieiras, 1-bed, summer month): R$3,000 rent + R$500 condomínio = R$3,500
Yes, summer rates jump near the beach.
Landlords asked for two or three months deposit, or a guarantor. I paid by Pix or boleto. Quick note: older buildings run cheaper but may use more power. Newer places keep bills lower but charge a higher condomínio for the pool, the gym, and that very polite doorman.
Food: feira wins, malls lose
My food bill changed a lot from city to city. Street markets (feira) saved me money. Fancy malls did not. For a day-by-day taste comparison, The Taste of Brazil: A Week on My Plate shows how varied – and affordable – seven days of Brazilian meals can be.
What I paid most weeks:
- Rice 5 kg: R$25–R$38
- Beans 1 kg: R$6–R$12
- Chicken breast 1 kg: R$18–R$28
- Beef (picanha) 1 kg: R$70–R$110
- Eggs (12): R$9–R$14
- Milk 1 L: R$4–R$7
- French bread (pão francês) 1 kg: R$12–R$18
- Coffee 500 g: R$14–R$28
- Fresh fruit at feira (mangoes, bananas, papaya): R$2–R$7 per item or per small bunch
Eating out:
- Prato feito (daily plate): R$20–R$35
- Buffet per kilo: R$60–R$90/kg
- Mid-range dinner for two: R$120–R$220
- Espresso: R$5–R$9
- Beer 600 ml: R$10–R$18
- Caipirinha: R$15–R$30
One small joy: my corner padaria in São Paulo sold warm pão de queijo for R$5 each. I bought one too often. No regrets.
Monthly food spend, real life:
- Cooking most meals at home: R$700–R$1,100
- Eating out 2–3 times a week: R$1,200–R$1,800
- Heavy delivery habit: add R$200–R$400 (fees sneak up)
Getting around without losing your cool
I love walking, but it’s not always practical. Here’s what I used and paid:
- São Paulo Metro/Bus: my trips were R$5–R$6 each
- Salvador Bus: most rides R$4–R$5
- Uber across town (SP): R$18–R$40, late nights cost more
- Gasoline: R$5.50–R$7.00 per liter
- Parking garages in SP: R$10–R$20 per hour near busy spots
I used a Bilhete Único card in São Paulo. It saved time. In a normal month, I spent R$200–R$350 on transit and Uber. On rainy weeks? More Uber. Much more.
Phone, internet, and those random “boletos”
My phone line was Claro with 15–20 GB data. I paid R$30–R$50 per month on promo. Friends on Vivo paid about the same. Home internet ran R$100–R$160 for 300–500 Mbps. Setup fees popped up, but I got them waived once by asking nicely and then waiting a week. Patience helps here.
Health: SUS exists, but I did both
The public system (SUS) is free. Lines can be long. I used a private clinic twice:
- Walk-in GP: R$150
- Urgent care stitches (small kitchen cut): R$240
- Dental cleaning: R$150–R$250
- Private plan quotes I got: R$280–R$900 per month (age and coverage matter)
I kept a small emergency fund. It helped me sleep.
Work and play
Coworking and fun stuff varied by neighborhood:
- Coworking hot desk: R$25–R$50 per day, or R$350–R$700 per month
- Gym: R$80–R$200 per month (chains run promos)
- Movie ticket: R$20–R$40
- Football match: R$40–R$120 (league games)
- Beach days: free. Sunscreen: not free. R$30–R$60.
Silly but true: I spent more on açaí bowls in Rio than on my gym plan. They were cold. I was weak.
If you’re curious how the cost of a polished, U.S-style lounge night stacks up against your Brazilian bar tab, picture sleek couches, DJ sets, and craft cocktails that might equal an entire Friday budget in São Paulo. A quick look at Tryst Fremont will show current drink prices, entry fees, and vibe photos, letting you benchmark Brazil’s nightlife costs before you splurge.
Help at home and childcare
I hired a diarista (cleaner) once a month in SP and twice in Salvador:
- Cleaner day rate: R$120–R$200 (cash or Pix; I added lunch and bus fare)
- Daycare (private creche quotes I saw): R$900–R$2,500 per month
- Part-time nanny (daily): R$140–R$220, widely varied
If you bring a pet, vet visits felt fair. My dog’s checkup plus vaccines in SP was R$220.
Sample monthly budgets I actually lived
Note: These are my real months, not theory. Yours may vary. To gauge how these figures stack up against local earnings, take a look at I Lived on a Brazilian Paycheck—Here’s My Honest Take on the Average Salary. It’ll give you clarity on what a typical wage actually covers.
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Lean month in Salvador (solo, cooking at home)
Rent + condo + IPTU: R$2,555
Utilities + internet: R$330
Food: R$850
Transit/Uber: R$220
Phone: R$40
Fun + gym: R$220
Total: R$4,215 -
Mid-range month in São Paulo (solo, mix of eating out)
Rent + condo + IPTU: R$3,910
Utilities + internet: R$420
Food: R$1,400
Transit/Uber: R$320
Phone: R$45
Fun + gym + two shows: R$450
Cleaner (1x): R$160
Total: R$6,705 -
Summer month in Floripa (close to beach)
Housing: R$3,500
Utilities + internet: R$300
Food: R$1,100
Transit/Uber: R$260
Fun (yes, lots): R$600
Total