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Cost of living in Brazil: Food, transport, and more
Find out the cost of living in Brazil in 2025 and do your sums if you are planning to move to the green giant for a while this year.
The green giant is a country attracting many foreigners and digital nomads for tourism or long stays. It’s a regional reference in tourism, parties and culture, with easy residence and visa processes like the Brazilian digital nomad visa. You might think the cost of living in Brazil is expensive, but here it’s quite reasonable. A single person manages with $1,400 (€1,340) in costly cities like São Paulo and even $1,000 (€957) in Recife.
Join us on this journey through essential living expenses in Brazil, adjust your finances and plan the big move in 2025.
Average housing costs in Brazil
The cost of living in Brazil varies a lot by region, especially with housing. In São Paulo and Florianópolis, central flats cost about $1,000 (€957) or more. In Goiânia and Recife they range between $550-650 (€526-622) monthly. Here are some estimated housing prices in Brazil:
| Accommodation | Price range from the cheapest to the most expensive area |
| Furnished 1-bedroom flat | $320-980 (€304-933) |
| Furnished 2-bedroom flat | $450-1,200 (€335-1,148) |
| Furnished studio | $200-800 (€191-765) |
| Co-living | $200-400 (€191-382) |
Accommodation Cost in Brazil
Food costs in Brazil
Food and drinks in Brazil are much cheaper than in Argentina, for example. Monthly groceries in supermarkets like Carrefour or Assaí range from $80-180 (€76-172), depending on your habits. Here’s what basic grocery basket prices look like:
| Product | Prices | |
| Eggs (dozen) | $2.28 (€2.18) | |
| Bread (two days) | $0.80 (€0.77) | |
| Local cheese (500g) | $4.38 (€4.19) | |
| Chicken breast (500g) | $2.11 (€2.02) | |
| Minced beef (500g) | $4.39 (€4.20) | |
| Milk 1 litre | $0.97 (€0.93) | |
| Tomato (1kg) | $1.37 (€1.31) | |
| Apple (1kg) | $2.15 (€2.06) | |
| Local beer | $1.11 (€1.06) | |
| Coca Cola 2 l | $1.75 (€1.67) |
Food costs in Brazil
If you prefer eating out, Brazil’s pay-per-kilo restaurants are very popular. You pay depending on food weight. There are also pratos feitos: full dishes with rice, beans, farofa, chips and pork, chicken or beef. They cost only $3-5 (€2.87-4.78), perfect for lunch.
At pricier restaurants you’ll find meals with drinks from $7 (€6.70). Street or fast food starts at $6 (€5.74).
Transport costs in Brazil
Brazil’s transport system is wide and diverse, offering both public and private options, especially in major cities. In 2025 public transport fares rose in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, but remain affordable. Bus tickets cost under one dollar ($0.88). Train and metro fares increased to $0.91 (€0.87). There’s also a monthly travel card costing $42 (€40), valid on buses, trains and metros in any city.
Taxis and apps
Apps are cheaper than taxis and recommended by locals and travellers. Uber and 99 Taxis are the most popular. Base fares start at $1 (€0.96), available in both central and suburban areas.
Buying a car and fuel
If you plan to buy a car in Brazil, budget for fuel. Petrol costs $1.12 (€1.07) per litre. Bestsellers include the Fiat Strada and Volkswagen Polo, priced $16,000-27,000 (€15,305-25,827), depending on version.
Renting a bike
Across Brazil, you can rent a bike to explore cities while enjoying the sun and breeze. Monthly plans allow up to four 45-minute rides daily. Popular options exist in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Curitiba, though local alternatives with competitive prices also exist.
| Services | Prices |
| Biker Itaú | $6.31 (€6.00) monthly |
| Tembici | $6.48 (€6.00) monthly |
| Estácio Bike | $5 (€6.00) monthly |
Monthly bike rental costs in Brazil.
Cost of living in Brazil: Healthcare services
Both locals and foreigners with legal status can access free care through SUS, the Unified Health System. It covers emergencies and specialised consultations. Still, waiting times can be long and quality varies by region. That’s not ideal for patients with pre-existing conditions needing close monitoring. Many Brazilians and foreigners choose private or international health insurance for immediate access to clinics. Without insurance, you’ll pay costs like:
| Medical service | Average monthly cost |
| General medical consultation | $50-120 (€47-114) |
| Consultation with a specialist | $100-250 (€95-239) |
| Hospitalisation (per night) | $200-1,500 (€191-1434) |
| Emergency care | $100-300 (€95-286) |
| Laboratory tests | $30-100 (€28-95) |
| Dental care | $50-200 (€97-191) |
Prices of medical services in Brazil
Internet and call plan prices in Brazil
Claro, Vivo and TIM dominate telecom and internet. Prices for mobile and fibre plans include:
| Provider | Telephone | Internet | Price for one month |
| Claro | Plans: 15 GB, 25 GB, 50 GB, 80 GB.-Social media-WhatsApp unlimited-Calls unlimited | Broadband: 300-500 Mbps.-Wifi-Globoplay streaming included | Mobile: from $5.26-21 (€5.03-20.09). Internet: from $18-21 (€17-20). |
| Vivo | Plans 14-34 GB-Free SIM-Unlimited apps-Unlimited calls and SMS in Brazil-Cinemark discounts-Amazon Prime included-Data rollover. | Fibre: 500 Mbps-1 GB.-Apps included-Free wifi and installation-Amazon Prime included. | Telephone: $10-18 (€9.50-17) Internet: $21-52 (€20-50) |
| TIM | Plans: Plans 14-100 GB-WhatsApp unlimited-Apple TV+-TIM points programme-Data rollover-International roaming. | Internet: 600 Mbps, 80 GB and 30 GB. | Telephone: $5-30 (€4.78-28) Internet: $8-21 (€7.65-20) |
Top telecom providers in Brazil: Approximate plans and prices.
Should you contract these services?
These offers look attractive and fit Brazil’s cost of living. Still, most plans start with promo prices, then increase to standard monthly rates. If you’ll stay short-term in Brazil for studies, travel or remote work as a digital nomad, your best choice is a Holafly monthly eSIM:
- It’s global, so works in 170 countries.
- It’s virtual and activates with one click. No need to swap physical SIMs when travelling.
- It connects to the best local network. You stay online even in Brazil’s remotest areas.
- You pay one fixed monthly fee, billed automatically. No hidden extras.
Choose between 25 GB or unlimited data, depending on your needs. Stay connected stress-free. You can also buy a Brazil eSIM from Holafly for shorter stays.
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 160 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
Leisure costs in Brazil
How much does fun cost in Brazil? It depends on your plans. A cinema ticket costs $6 (€5.70). Two theatre tickets in good seats are $40 (€38). If you prefer staying home, streaming services cost monthly: Disney+ $5 (€4.78), Netflix $5-9 (€4.78-8.61), Amazon Prime $3 (€2.87), and Globoplay Brazil $4 (€3.83).
Tourist activities and entry costs
- São Paulo Zoo: $17.55 (€16.79) per adult. Three-hour visit, includes parking and snack.
- Christ the Redeemer (Rio de Janeiro): $5-18 (€4.78-17.22), varying by season. Includes interior access with panoramic views.
- Sugarloaf Mountain (Rio de Janeiro): about $32 (€30) for cable car access to the summit.
- Iguazu National Park (Foz do Iguaçu): entry is about $17 (€16.26) per person.
- Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (Maranhão): a three-day tour costs $250 (€239).
- São Paulo Museum of Art: entry $17 (€16.26).
Now you’ve got essential cost of living details in Brazil. This country is more affordable than Argentina or Chile. Take advantage, crunch your numbers and start planning your experience in the green giant.
