Brasília vs Rio de Janeiro Cost of Living

Brasília (Brazil) · Overall index 32.2Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) · Overall index 34.8

Summary

  • Overall, Rio de Janeiro is 8% more expensive than Brasília.
  • Rent in Rio de Janeiro is 19% more expensive than in Brasília.
  • Dining out in Rio de Janeiro is 13% more expensive than in Brasília.
ItemBrasíliaRio de JaneiroDiff
Rent+19%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$976$1,094+12%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$562$716+27%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,892$2,097+11%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,038$1,336+29%
Groceries+5%
Milk (1L)$0.53$0.56+6%
White bread (500g)$1.86$1.68-10%
Rice (1kg)$2.36$2.23-6%
Eggs (12)$2.17$1.92-12%
Local cheese (1kg)$5.29$5.66+7%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$4.96$5.69+15%
Beef round (1kg)$8.71$7.82-10%
Apples (1kg)$2.27$2.48+9%
Bananas (1kg)$0.82$0.91+11%
Oranges (1kg)$1.78$2.17+22%
Tomatoes (1kg)$2.51$2.69+7%
Potatoes (1kg)$1.12$1.41+26%
Onions (1kg)$1.13$1.37+21%
Lettuce (1 head)$1.12$1.03-8%
Water (1.5L bottle)$0.98$1.13+15%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$6.36$6.11-4%
Transport+7%
Public transport, one-way ticket$0.85$0.850%
Public transport, monthly pass$38.4$45.1+17%
Taxi, base fare$1.33$1.45+9%
Taxi, per km$0.7$0.76+9%
Gasoline (1L)$0.3$0.33+10%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$9,484$9,328-2%
Dining out+13%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$7.31$9.25+27%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$37.4$43.7+17%
Fast food combo meal$4.33$4.67+8%
Cappuccino$1.85$2.15+16%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$0.93$0.88-5%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$2.67$2.63-1%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$2.64$3.39+28%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$0.77$0.87+13%
Telecom-6%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$31.2$29.5-5%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$29.7$30.7+3%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.16$0.15-6%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$8.16$7.03-14%
Utilities & household+8%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$68.5$81+18%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.1$0.11+10%
Tap water (1m³)$1.76$1.96+11%
Natural gas (1m³)$0.62$0.64+3%
Waste collection (monthly)$8.64$10.3+19%
Fitness club (monthly)$33.5$34.8+4%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$6.14$7.42+21%
Men's haircut$14.2$14.1-1%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$11.3$10.2-10%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$846$871+3%

2,954 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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