Cost of Living in Brazil

"If a person wishes to have a comfortable lifestyle including a housekeeper and a groundsman, I would say the minimum is $5,000 a month. (US dollars)," wrote a person living in Taiba.

"The cost of living in Brazil varies greatly depending on a variety of factors such as whether one lives in a large city or rural village. In general, those living in the cities will find housing, transportation, medical costs, and other necessities to be more expensive than those living in rural areas. Groceries, however, are typically the same cost no matter where one lives in Brazil. Additionally, the cost of utilities varies depending on the location and the city," explained one expat living in Brazil.

"Living in Brazil compared to the United States can be more cost-effective in certain aspects. Generally, food, housing, and other everyday items are more affordable, meaning that day-to-day living costs can be substantially reduced. Furthermore, the Brazilian currency, the Brazilian Real (BRL), is often much weaker than the US Dollar (USD), meaning that you can get more BRL in exchange for a single USD. This can lead to potential savings when travelling, shopping and other activities involving currency exchanges. Overall, if you manage your money well and adjust to the local lifestyle, you could save significant amounts of money," explained one expat living in Brazil.

"We have found it much hard financially then we thought we would. Prices here have doubled, not just on food but on petrol/gasoline. We are struggling financially," said one expat in Taiba.

"Housing costs are expensive, I don't know much about it though, but cheaper than London," said one person in Rio de Janeiro.

"The average cost of housing in Brazil is typically high, and the level of cost is dependent on the specific city or region. In more affluent cities and regions, housing can be significantly more expensive than in places with a lower median income. Additionally, rental prices can vary greatly depending on location, size, and amenities offered," remarked one expat in Brazil.

"If moving to Sao Paulo know that prices are out of control and that there are lots of hidden costs to renting. I am from Chicago, where I lived in Lincoln Park. 1. Rent, a 2 bedroom apt in Jardins(200 sq meters) will run about BRL 8000/mo. 2. The Next biggest cost is the Condo fee which everyone must pay, about BRL 2000/mo. 3. Next there is the IPTU or the property tax in Jardins expect to pay BRL 600/mo. 4. Then of course you need insurance, expect to pay BRL 250/mo," explained one expat living in Sao Paulo.

"In the USA buying property of any type on or very near the ocean is way out of our price range. We bought this one to include a complete furnishing package and its built against a State park where future construction is limited due to the park. So the villa was much cheaper than in the States for a house of the same size. Because we bought our in 2007 I keep looking on the net for houses in the area and for pricing. $150k to 200k (USD) for a similar villa is the average cost as of this week. Electricity costs are high as they are everywhere in Brazil due to the lack of infrastructure," said one expat in Praia de Pipa.

"The rental price for a nice 1 bedroom apartment in Brazil can vary greatly depending on its size, location, amenities, and other factors. On average, one could expect to pay between $350 and $1000 per month for a 1 bedroom apartment in Brazil. The rental price for a nice 2 bedroom apartment in Brazil varies in a similar way, with average monthly rates typically ranging between $500 and $1500 per month," commented one expat living in Brazil.

"Rental properties in Brazil typically include a refrigerator, stove, microwave and washing machine. Depending on the property, other items such as air conditioners, dishwashers or dryers may also be provided. For outdoor living areas, some rental properties might offer a barbecue grill. Common extras often seen in rental properties in Brazil include basic furniture, kitchenware and utensils," said an expat in Brazil.