Brazil is the world’s fifth largest country largest country and has so much to offer, from its rain forests and beaches to red-rock canyons and vibrant cities. Its ecosystems contain the widest varieties of flora and fauna on the planet. Brazil is country full of music, dance and festivals and is extremely welcoming to visitors.
If you are considering moving to Brazil, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in this part of the world.
Quick Brazil Facts:
- Population: 216,020,657 (2022 estimate)
- Official Language:Portuguese is the official language of Brazil.
- GDP Per Capita:US$8,537.94 (December 2021)
- Coffee: For the last 150 years, Brazil has been the world’s largest coffee producer, supplying over a third of the world’s coffee. Over two million hectares are dedicated to growing coffee beans, mainly arabica.
- Currency: Brazilian real (reais/BRL/R$). As of 2022 R$1 is $0.19 USD, £0.17, €0.20, $0.26 CAD, $0.31 AUD.
1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Brazil
You can save money by comparing moving companies in Brazil using our moving quote form above.
Above you can see container shipping rates to Brazil from countries all over the world.
2. Brazil Housing Costs
Property is generally very affordable in Brazil and non-residents can purchase and rent property in the country. Rio, São Paulo and Brasilia are the most expensive cities to live in. The more rural the area, the cheaper the property.
Monthly Rental Prices in Brazil
- 1 bedroom apartment in City Centre: BRL1,000 – BRL3,000
- 1 bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: BRL600 – BRL1,900
- 3-bedroom apartment in City Centre: BRL1,800 – BRL5,207.52
- 3-bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: BRL1,300 – BRL4,000
- Price per square metre to buy in City Centre BRL5,010 – BRL15,000
- Price per square metre to buy outside the city: BRL4,000 – BRL9,000
Source: NUMBEO
Brazil Housing Cost Comparison
Below are how rents in Brazil compare with other countries around the globe.
United Kingdom is 230.96% more expensive
United States is 443.86% more expensive
Australia is 279.68% more expensive
Canada is 303.2% more expensive
France is 175.65% more expensive
Germany is 211.3% more expensive
Spain is 134.56% more expensive
Italy is 143% more expensive
Source: NUMBEO
How to Save on Housing Costs
- Share an apartment or house. Living with a roommate or flatmate is a smart option for saving on housing costs. Have a look on these sites to find a room or flatmate – iRoommate, Erasmusu, roomlala, Spareroom, and Roomster.
- Different areas – different prices. Most expats live in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro due to the location of their jobs. These cities, along with Brasilia, are definitely the most expensive places to live in Brazil. Other state capital cities, such as Salvador, Vitória, Goiânia, Aracaju, João Pessoa and Fortaleza, are more affordable and still have a high standard of accommodation on offer.
3. Brazil Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs
The size of Brazil plus the many cultures that have influenced its history can be seen in the wide variety of foods available in the country. The Portuguese colonised Brazil in the sixteenth century and their influence is still felt. African slaves were brought in the work in the coffee plantations, bringing their food culture with them. After slavery was abolished, Brazil brought in Japanese and Europeans to work in the plantations. Brazil’s food culture is vibrant and enjoyable and varies from region to region.
- Inexpensive Restaurant- BRL15.00 – BRL45.00
- Domestic beer: BRL5.00 – BRL15.00
- Coke/Pepsi: BRL4.00 – BRL8.00
- 1L of milk: BRL3.50 – BRL7.50
- Loaf of Bread: BRL4.68 – BRL13.00
- 12 Eggs: BRL5.20 -BRL15.00
- 1kg Chicken Fillets: BRL12.00 – BRL27.00
- 1kg Beef: BRL30.00 – BRL60.00
- 1kg Apples: BRL4.00 – BRL12.00
- 1kg White Rice: BRL4.00 – BRL10.00
Source: NUMBEO
Below is how food and restaurant prices compare with other major countries in the world.
- UK restaurants are 56% more expensive and groceries are 48.57% more expensive than in Brazil.
- United States restaurants are 15% more expensive and groceries are 137.23% more expensive than in Brazil.
- Australian restaurants are 84% more expensive and groceries are 120.63% more expensive than in Brazil.
- Canadian restaurants are 1% more expensive and groceries are 118.8% more expensive than in Brazil.
- French restaurants are 83% more expensive and groceries are 99.33% more expensive than in Brazil.
- German restaurants are 3% more expensive and groceries are 71.5% more expensive than in Brazil.
- Spanish restaurants are 95% more expensive and groceries are 25.21% more expensive than in Brazil.
- Italian restaurants are 4% more expensive and groceries are 74.4% more expensive than in Brazil.
Source: NUMBEO
Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries
- Know your supermarkets: There’s a large selection of supermarkets in Brazil, plus independent stores and many great markets to explore. You’ll find Carrefour supermarkets in every city and they stock a good variety of imported foods as well as local produce. Wal-Mart sold up and moved out in 2022. Brazilian supermarkets and hypermarkets include Assai Atacadista which is part of the massive GPA Group. They have hypermarkets, supermarkets and small stores dotted around the country. Each state has its own supermarket brand but, due to the political situation, they open and close regularly.
- Find Cheap Eats:Restaurants are very affordable in most of Brazil. Ask around for recommendations and keep an eye on social media posts. The following sites have some suggestions – Rio de Janeiro Cheap Eats, Wanderlog, The Culture Trip, Places to Visit – Brazil and Steemit.
4. Brazil Alcohol Costs
Alcohol in Brazil is very affordable. Popular local drinks in Brazil include Caninha, Alua, Bombeirinho, Caipirinha, Pinga, Caju Amigo, and Cachaca. Imported wine, beer and spirits are much more expensive than locally produced drinks and the selection is much greater.
- Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: BRL9.80 – BRL25.00
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: BRL20.00 – BRL60.00
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a supermarket: BRL5.00 – BRL15.00
- Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: BRL6.00 – BRL20.00
- Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: BRL20.00 – BRL60.00
Source: Numbeo
How to drink for less in Brazil
- Keep an eye on social media posts for last minute specials. You can also ask locals or expats who’ve been in your area and know the lay of the land.
- Late afternoon and early evening happy hours are common in the large cities and tourist destinations. Have a look at the following websites for ideas of where to drink to less – Trip Advisor, Rough Guides, YELP, The Culture Trip, and Cheap Cocktails.
5. Brazil Transportation Fares
Travelling by bus is the most common form of public transportation in Brazil. There are local and long distance buses that are affordable and fairly reliable. Due to the size of Brazil it’s often more sensible to fly long distance routes rather than take the bus.
The best metro systems are in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Other cities do have metro systems but they are old, crowded and need to be upgraded. There are a few passenger train routes aimed at tourists. Most rail transport is used for cargo. Travelling by boat is common on the coast and on the Amazon river where sometimes this is the only form of transport.
Below are some example ticket costs.
- One-way ticket (local transport) – BRL3.90 – BRL5.50
- Monthly Pass (regular price) – BRL150.00 – BRL338.00
- Taxi start (normal tariff) –BRL4.80 – BRL10.00
- Taxi 1km (normal tariff) –BRL2.75 – BRL8.75
Source: Numbeo
How to save money on public transport
- Buy an Air Pass if you are planning long distance trips within Brazil for a few months.
- Intercity buses are reasonably priced, but journeys can take a long time.
6. Cost of Internet in Brazil
HughesNet is famous in Brazil for providing the fastest internet (25 Mbps) in the country followed by Frontier (24 Mbps).
7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure
Brazil has equatorial and tropical climates in the central and northern regions and subtropical climates in southern regions. The average temperature in Brazil is between 22C to 26C. However, the temperatures in Brazil do vary from region to region. The highest temperature recorded in the state of Nova Maringa was 44.8C. whereas the lowest temperature recorded was 2.5C. in the rainforest town of Cruzeiro do Sul. The average rainfall in Brazil varies from 1,000 mm to 1,800 mm, depending on the region.
Below are some clothing prices, along with other useful prices.
- Pair of Jeans (Levi’s 501 or similar): BRL99.00 – BRL400.00
- Summer Dress: BRL90.00 – BRL350.00
- Running Shoes (Trainers): BRL200.00 – BRL600.00
- Business Shoes: BRL150.00 – BRL450.00
- Gym membership: BRL70.00 – BRL200.00
- Movie (cinema) ticket: BRL25.00 – BRL50.00
- Short doctor’s visit (15 minutes): BRL270
- Deodorant: BRL12
- Shampoo: BRL18
- Toilet rolls: BRL7
Source: NUMBEO and Expatistan
8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Brazil
Anyone can drive in Brazil with a valid driving licence from their home country and an International Driving Licence in Portuguese. If you stay longer than 6 months, you will need to get a Brazilian driving licence. The roads in Brazil are in need of serious repair. Even the major roads are full of potholes. That said, most expats do have cars and some companies will supply a car and a driver.
When buying a car, have it checked over by a reputable garage or someone who knows about cars as there is no such thing as a roadworthy certificate.
Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Brazil:
- Volkswagen Golf: BRL80,000 – BRL130,000
- 1 litre (¼ gallon) of gas (petrol): BRL5.50 – BRL7.60
- Other fees (if any):The average monthly cost of driving a basic four seater car in Brazil is BRL1,300 – this figure does not include depreciation.
Ways to save money driving in Brazil
- Car sharing or pooling is the best option to save money. Try Car Sharing in Brazil, Car Pool Brazil, BlaBla Car, and Ride Hailing Apps.
- Taxis are an option in the cities, especially as you’ll avoid parking fees. Try Uber and Uphail.
Need your car/vehicle moved to Brazil? Then read our guide to Car Transport & Vehicle Shipping
9. Taxes in Brazil
Non-residents are taxed a flat rate of 25% on their Brazilian source of income. If you become a Brazilian resident, you are taxed between 0% and 27% on your worldwide income. The rate for capital gains is 15%. There’s no national property tax but local municipalities usually levy a local property tax which varies from municipality to municipality. For more information visit Tax Summaries.
VAT in Brazil ranges from 17% to 20%, depending on the state you are in. For details, refer to Tax Summaries.
10. Flight Costs from Brazil
If you do make the move to Brazil, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:
- London: BRL2,452
- Paris: BRL2,561
- New York: BRL2,391
- Toronto: BRL2,691
- Sydney: BRL6,233
- Berlin: BRL2,453
- Cape Town: BRL4,218
- Rome: BRL2,890
Other Brazil Relocation Tips
The above costs and prices should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Brazil. However, perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.
11. Relocating to Brazil Alone
Moving to a different country can be stressful but moving alone can be daunting. The happy, carnival atmosphere in Brazil and its friendly people will help you ease into your new life. Here are a few tips about settling in Brazil.
- Meetups:Join Meetup groups which appeal to you such as coffee tasting, surfing, IT or learning the samba – it’s a great way to meet people.
- Attend local events: Brazilians love to party and use any excuse to arrange festivals, concerts, theatre etc. Have a look at the following websites to see which events appeal to you: Festivals and Events in Brazil, TheCultureTrip, Frommers and Veloso.
12. Moving to Brazil with a Family
Moving to a different country with a family is exciting but challenging. If you are moving to Brazil with your family, consider the following.
- New parents (or parents-to-be):Get advice from new parents already living in Brazil through various groups including Moms’ Night Out Groups in Brazil, Brazilian Mothers’ Club, and Mission Moms and Friends.
- Live in a family-friendly area:There are many areas in Brazil that are not safe, so do your homework. Embassies are often very helpful on this front. Have a look at the following sites for information – Expat Arrivals, Support Adventure, Life from a Bag and Expat.
- Find things to do with the kids:There’s so much for kids to do in Brazil. Have a look at the following websites for inspiration – Brazil with Kids, Tavel Triangle, Rain Forest Cruises, Family Holiday in Brazil, and Inspirock.
13. Moving to Brazil for Work
Moving to a new country for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move. While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move.
There are lot of opportunities in Brazil, especially as many multinationals have offices in the country. IT, education, healthcare, engineering, agriculture, hospitality and tourism, finance and social care are just a few of the sectors that are looking for experienced people.
Below are things to consider when moving for work:
- Salary:The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea, how much more you’ll want to be making to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Glassdoor and Payscale.
- How to find work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Brazil, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: . You may also want to google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.
- If you aren’t sure where to start with your job search, the following sites are good places to start: LinkedIn, Indeed, Jooble, Wage Centre and Intern Brazil.
14. Moving to Brazil from Australia
São Paulo is a popular place to live and work for Australians. If you are moving from Australia to Brazil and want to meet fellow Australians, consider the following.
- Size comparison:Australia and Brazil are almost the same in size but their population size differs considerably. The population of Australia is only 25,739,000 whereas the population of Brazil is 213,993,000.
- Join expat groups:Connect with fellow Australians in Brazil through Meetup, InterNations, and Facebook.
15. Moving to Brazil from Canada
Around 12,000 Canadians live in Brazil. If you are moving to Brazil from Canada and want to meet fellow Canadians, consider the following.
- Size:Canada is the 2nd largest country and Brazil is the 5th largest country in the world. But the population of Canada is a mere 38,246,000 to Brazil’s 213,993,000.
- Expat groups:Connect with fellow Canadians through sites such as Meetup and InterNations.
16. Moving to Brazil from the United Kingdom
There’s a large British contingent living and working in Brazil. If you are moving to Brazil from the UK and want to meet fellow Brits, consider the following.
- Size: Brazil is around 35 times the size of the UK, with a population of 213,993,000 compared with the UK’s population of 68,703,797.
- Expat groups:Connect with fellow Brits in Brazil through Meetup and InterNations.
Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Brazil you can start by comparing moving quotes here.
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