Home to a third of Latin America’s population, Brazil’s upbeat music, sandy beaches, and colourful carnivals make it an exciting destination for expats looking to move abroad. While bustling cities and industrial complexes make its economy thrive, it is also renowned for its dense rainforests, namely, the Amazon.
Affordability is one of the biggest factors to consider when choosing a country to move abroad.
Wondering how much it costs to live in Brazil? In this blog, we have broken down every aspect of the cost of living to help you with your decision.
Housing
Whether you choose to rent a property or buy a house, accommodation is a top priority when moving to a new place. These costs will vary slightly based on whether you choose to live in the city centre or on the outskirts.
Here are some of the differences in the cost of living in Brazil based on buying or renting a property.
Monthly Rent in Brazil
| Accommodation Type | Average Price (BRL)* | Price Range (BRL)* | Average Price (GBP)* | Price Range (GBP)* |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | R$1,550 | R$1,000 – 2,750 | £260 | £165 – 450 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment outside City Centre | R$1,000 | R$650 – 1,820 | £165 | £100 – 300 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | R$3.000 | R$1,800 – 6,000 | £500 | £300 – 1000 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment outside City Centre | R$2,1oo | R$1,250 – 4000 | £350 | £200 – 650 |
Buying an Apartment in Brazil (Price per square metre)
| Location | Average Price (BRL)* | Price Range (BRL)* | Average Price (GBP)* | Price Range (GBP)* |
| Apartment in City Centre | R$8,200 | R$5,000 – 13,000 | £1,350 | £820 – 2,150 |
| Apartment outside City Centre | R$5,700 | R$3,700 – 10,000 | £950 | £600 – 1,650 |
Monthly Utility Bills
When considering housing costs, it is also essential to consider the added cost of utilities that will be applicable.
| Utility Type | Average Price (BRL)* | Price Range (BRL)* | Average Price (GBP)* | Price Range (GBP)* |
| Basic (Electricity, Water, Cooling, Garbage) | R$370 | R$240 – 700 | £60 | £40 – 115 |
| Mobile Phone Call Plans with 10 GB+ Data | R$100 | R$50 – 120 | £16 | £8 – 20 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or more, Cable, ADSL) | R$100 | R$80 – 150 | £16 | £13 – 25 |
Daily Expenses
Another important factor when considering the cost of living in Brazil is daily expenses. Whether you choose to eat out or make your meals, drive your car, or use public transport, budgeting these expenses will help you save money. Naturally, these costs may differ if you are considering a move to the busy capital, Rio de Janeiro.
Groceries
| Item | Average Price (BRL)* | Price Range (BRL)* | Average Price (GBP)* | Price Range (GBP)* |
| Milk (1 litre, regular) | R$5 | R$4 – 7 | £0.80 | £0.65 – 1.15 |
| Loaf of fresh white bread | R$7.50 | R$5 – 14 | £1.25 | £0.80 – 2.30 |
| Eggs (12, regular) | R$10 | R$6 – 15.5 | £1.65 | £1 – 2.50 |
| Local Cheese (1 Kg) | R$40 | R$25 – 80 | £6.50 | £4 – 13 |
| Chicken Fillets (1 Kg) | R$20 | R$12 – 26 | £3 | £2 – 4.30 |
| Apples (1 Kg) | R$9 | R$4 – 14 | £1.50 | £0.60 – 2.30 |
| Bananas (1 Kg) | R$6 | R$3 – 10 | £1 | £0.50 – 1.65 |
| Onions (1 Kg) | R$5 | R$3 – 8 | £0.80 | £0.50 – 1.30 |
| Potatoes (1 Kg) | R$5 | R$3 – 8 | £0.80 | £0.50 – 1.30 |
| Tomato (1 Kg) | R$8 | R$4 – 12 | £1 | £0.60 – 2 |
| Water (1.5 litre bottle) | R$3 | R$2 – 5 | £0.50 | £0.30 – 0.80 |
Dining Out
| Item | Average Price (BRL)* | Price Range (BRL)* | Average Price (GBP)* | Price Range (GBP)* |
| Meal for two people (mid-range restaurant, three courses) | R$140 | R$90 – 300 | £23 | £15 – 50 |
| McDonald’s McMeal (or equivalent combo) | R$35 | R$30 – 40 | £5.80 | £5 – 6.60 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 litre draught) | R$9 | R$5 – 15 | £1.50 | £0.80 – 2.50 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 litre bottle) | R$15 | R$10 – 25 | £2.50 | £1.65 – 4.10 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | R$8 | R$4 – 15 | £1.30 | £0.60 – 2.50 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 litre bottle) | R$5 | R$4 – 8 | £0.80 | £0.60 – 1.30 |
Transport
| Item | Average Price (BRL)* | Price Range (BRL)* | Average Price (GBP)* | Price Range (GBP)* |
| One-way ticket (Local transport) | R$4.90 | R$4.10 – 6 | £0.80 | £0.70 – 1 |
| Monthly Pass (regular price) | R$220 | R$140 – 340 | £36 | £23 – 56 |
| Taxi Start (normal tariff) | R$6 | R$5 – 10 | £1 | £0.80 – 1.65 |
| Taxi Start 1 Km (normal tariff) | R$4 | R$3 -10 | £0.60 | £0.50 – 1.65 |
| Taxi 1 hour waiting (normal tariff) | R$34 | R$21 – 55 | £5.60 | £3.50 – 9 |
| Gasoline (1 litre) | R$6.20 | R$5 – 8 | £1 | £0.80 – 1.30 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4L 90 KW Trendline or Equivalent New Car | R$100,000 | R$85,000 – 132,500 | £16,530 | £14,050 – 22,000 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6L 97 KW Comfort or Equivalent New Car | R$138,800 | R$120,000 – 153,000 | £23,000 | £20,000 – 25,300 |
Healthcare and Education
When considering the cost of living in Brazil, you must prioritise healthcare and education. These are equally as important as food and housing, and vital to one’s quality of life. Public healthcare and education are free in Brazil. However, many expats choose to opt for private services. As such, we have broken down the costs for your convenience.
Healthcare
| Type | Average Price (BRL)* | Average Price (GBP)* |
| Cold Medicine (1 week) | R$20 | £3.30 |
| 1 Box of Antibiotics (12 doses) | R$45 | £4.40 |
| GP Consultation (15 mins) | R$265 | £45 |
| Dentist (2 appointments, per month) | R$160 | £26 |
| Ophthalmologist | R$180 | £30 |
| Gynecologist | R$300 | £50 |
| Cardiologist | R$400 | £66 |
Education
| Type | Yearly Average (BRL)* | Yearly Average (GBP)* |
| Private Preschool or Kindergarten | R$17,000 | £2,800 |
| International Primary School | R$32,000 | £5,300 |
| International Secondary School | R$72,000 | £12,000 |
With all of this in mind, on average, it costs approximately £1,600 per month for a family of four to live (excluding rent) in Brazil. For one person, the monthly living cost without rent would be in the region of £450.
So if you are thinking of moving to Brazil, you’ll have figured out that on average, the cost of living is significantly lower than in the UK. Combining that with the incredible culture that this nation has, a new life in Brazil can be both fulfilling and affordable.
Are you ready for this exciting chapter of your life? We are here to help you with your move. Request your quote now.
*All prices are approx. as of October 2023.
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