São Paulo

Brazil

12,400,232 people769m elevationAmerica/Sao Paulo27

Overview

Monthly Cost

$1,358

1 person, with rent

Safety

out of 100

Quality of Life

out of 200

Healthcare

out of 100

Pollution

lower is better

São Paulo is Brazil's most expensive city but still offers 40-50% savings vs US metros. Expect to pay premium for neighborhoods like Jardins and Pinheiros. Budget-conscious expats can find deals in Moema, Butantã, or outside the center.

Cost of Living

Monthly costs in São Paulo in USD. Editorial estimates combined with Numbeo data.

Numbeo Estimated Monthly Cost (1 person, with rent)

$1,358

Food: $111

Housing (monthly rent)

Studio

Budget$350

Mid-range$450

Upscale$600

1 Bedroom

Budget$450

Mid-range$620

Upscale$850

2 Bedroom

Budget$700

Mid-range$950

Upscale$1,400

Food

Monthly Groceries

Budget$120

Mid-range$200

Premium$350

Dining (per meal)

Street food$5

Casual restaurant$8

Nice restaurant$18

Upscale$50

Transportation

Public transit (monthly)$40

Uber/taxi (avg ride)$5

Fuel (monthly)$110

Parking (monthly)$80

Utilities

Electric (low)$35

Electric (average)$50

Electric (high)$75

Water$22

Gas$20

Internet$25

Lifestyle

Gym membership$30

Cleaning (weekly)$25

Coworking space$150

Healthcare

Doctor visit$60

Basic insurance (monthly)$120

Comprehensive insurance$250

Other

Phone plan$18

Subscriptions$30

Quality of Life

Numbeo indices for São Paulo. Higher is better unless noted otherwise.

Quality of Life98/200

Composite index (0-200)

Safety30/100

Healthcare60/100

Purchasing Power57/200

Relative to NYC baseline

Climate99/100

Cost of Living40/100

Lower = more affordable (NYC = 100)

Pollution79/100

Lower = cleaner

Traffic239/250

Lower = less congestion

Crime70/100

Lower = less crime

Rent16/100

Lower = cheaper rent (NYC = 100)

Prices

55 item prices in São Paulo from Numbeo (USD).

Item	Average	Range
Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant, Restaurants	8.55	5.70 – 13.29
Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks), Restaurants	43.68	24.69 – 85.46
Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal), Restaurants	7.98	6.84 – 9.12
Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter), Restaurants	2.28	1.14 – 3.80
Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle), Restaurants	3.32	2.28 – 5.70
Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle), Restaurants	1.26	0.95 – 1.90
Bottled Water (0.33 Liter), Restaurants	0.85	0.57 – 1.33
Milk (Regular, 1 Liter), Markets	1.13	0.85 – 1.42
Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf), Markets	1.90	1.33 – 2.85
Eggs (12, Large Size), Markets	2.78	1.37 – 4.56
Local Cheese (1 kg), Markets	12.57	7.98 – 18.99
Bottled Water (1.5 Liter), Markets	0.85	0.57 – 1.90
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range), Markets	9.50	4.75 – 14.24
Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle), Markets	1.44	0.76 – 2.85
Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle), Markets	2.55	1.14 – 3.80
Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro), Markets	2.75	2.28 – 3.80
One-Way Ticket (Local Transport), Transportation	0.97	0.95 – 1.04
Chicken Fillets (1 kg), Markets	5.01	3.80 – 6.65
Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price), Transportation	46.81	41.78 – 74.45
Gasoline (1 Liter), Transportation	1.15	1.12 – 1.23
Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car), Transportation	22789.86	22579.05 – 28487.32
1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre, Rent Per Month	659.00	474.79 – 949.58
1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre, Rent Per Month	444.83	284.87 – 759.66
3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre, Rent Per Month	1461.47	854.62 – 3418.48
3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre, Rent Per Month	938.92	664.70 – 1519.32
Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage), Utilities (Monthly)	82.83	47.48 – 170.92
Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher), Utilities (Monthly)	20.34	17.09 – 28.49
Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data), Utilities (Monthly)	16.10	7.60 – 24.69
Monthly Fitness Club Membership, Sports And Leisure	38.76	18.80 – 75.97
Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend), Sports And Leisure	38.93	28.49 – 47.48
Cinema Ticket (International Release), Sports And Leisure	9.50	7.60 – 11.39
Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar), Clothing And Shoes	62.66	28.49 – 94.96
Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M), Clothing And Shoes	55.80	28.49 – 94.96
Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range), Clothing And Shoes	96.67	56.97 – 142.44
Men's Leather Business Shoes, Clothing And Shoes	87.14	37.98 – 151.93
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre, Buy Apartment Price	2801.61	2278.99 – 3798.31
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre, Buy Apartment Price	2100.24	1519.32 – 2848.73
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax), Salaries And Financing	819.13	—
Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %), Salaries And Financing	12.10	10.00 – 15.00
Taxi Start (Standard Tariff), Transportation	1.24	1.14 – 1.90
Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff), Transportation	0.81	0.76 – 1.33
Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff), Transportation	9.69	8.36 – 11.39
Apples (1 kg), Markets	2.82	1.52 – 3.80
Oranges (1 kg), Markets	1.69	0.76 – 3.80
Potatoes (1 kg), Markets	1.42	0.95 – 2.28
Lettuce (1 Head), Markets	1.25	0.66 – 1.71
Cappuccino (Regular Size), Restaurants	2.11	1.33 – 3.42
White Rice (1 kg), Markets	1.35	0.76 – 3.42
Tomatoes (1 kg), Markets	1.91	1.14 – 2.85
Bananas (1 kg), Markets	1.88	1.14 – 2.85
Onions (1 kg), Markets	1.25	0.57 – 2.85
Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg), Markets	10.27	7.60 – 13.29
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car), Transportation	32523.57	30386.48 – 36083.94
Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child, Childcare	486.73	227.90 – 911.59
International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child, Childcare	16665.46	9495.77 – 28487.32

Safety & Crime

Crime and safety indices for São Paulo. Safety scores are out of 100 (higher = safer).

Overall

Safety Index30

Crime Index70

Safe Walking (Day)0

Safe Walking (Night)-1

Crime Increasing1

Concern Levels

Home Break-in0

Mugging / Robbery1

Car Theft1

Physical Attack0

Verbal Harassment0

Drug Problems1

Property Crime1

Corruption2

Based on 905 Numbeo contributors.

Healthcare

Healthcare quality indices for São Paulo. Scores out of 100 (higher = better).

Quality Ratings

Overall Healthcare Index60

Skill & Competency1

Speed0

Modern Equipment1

Accuracy1

Friendliness1

Responsiveness0

Cost & Insurance

Cost Satisfaction0

Insurance Coverage

None

Public

18%

Private

42%

Employer Sponsored

34%

Based on 259 Numbeo contributors.

Environment

Environmental quality for São Paulo. Quality scores are out of 100 (higher = better). Pollution scores: lower = cleaner.

Quality Scores

Air Quality-1

Drinking Water0

Green Spaces & Parks0

Cleanliness-1

Comfort to Spend Time0

Garbage Disposal-1

Pollution Levels

Pollution Index79

Water Pollution1

Noise & Light Pollution1

PM2.517.0 µg/m³

PM1028.0 µg/m³

Based on 192 Numbeo contributors.

Transport & Traffic

Traffic and commute data for São Paulo.

Traffic Indices

Traffic Index239

Time Index51

Inefficiency Index285

CO₂ Emission Index7399

Commute

Average Commute

51 min

Transport Modes

Car

46%

Bus/Trolleybus

17%

Train/Metro

13%

Walking

11%

Working from Home

Motorcycle

Bicycle

Tram/Streetcar

Based on 235 Numbeo contributors.

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