Thread: BRAZIL offers one of the lowest Living Cost in the World

According to some statistics, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo are among the chepeast cities to live in the world. Though Brazil is considered to be the largest city of South America, it is said that living cost there is lower than any other countries on this world.

So enjoy the diversity of amazon and beauty of their beaches! Come and See Brazil!

Could you please tell me on average what a typical Brazilian worker makes
annually? Also do you would happen to know if insurance is expensive over there? Like Car Insurance, life insurance and
homeowners insurance. Thanks in advance!

Hi danno, the salary vary a lot by the region in the country. I believe the highest salaries you will find in Rio and Sao Paulo, then after that in the list you have places like Porto Alegre and Curitiba and in the bottom of the list places like Acre and some areas in the Northeast of the country. The insurances are expensive I'm afraid... Life insurance for example can cost you about 1 minim salary something about 500 reals per month. I reckon the average salary if you work in a shopping center will be around 1200 reals with commission included, food tickets and transport tickets... It's hard to live with this money if you need to pay rent and other stuff, but this is a reality in Brazil...

Ps. I don't believe Rio and Sao Paulo can be the cheapest cities to live in the world...In my opinion Asia has many countries where you are able to live with less than 500USD per month, I think in Rio and Sao Paulo will be very difficult...

Yes, that´s true. Brazil has one of the lowest living costs in the world. Renting a house in Brazil is lower than other developed countries.

Hummm, it's a very interesting point. I would definitely live with my girlfriend in Brazil if we have a good opportunity of work. You said is cheap to rent a house right? But what about the salaries??? Can you give me an idea please? How much will be to rent a house in Rio or Sao Paulo, and an average salary?

Well, I will tell you about São Paulo city, the state where I live.

The average salaries for skilled professionals, fluent in English and Portuguese, and graduated in Universities, are around R$ 4.000,00 (BRL) to R$6.000,00 (BRL). It would be $2,400.00 USD to $3,600.00 USD, but if you were not skilled, and not graduated, the average can be around $900.00 (USD).

The rent of a good Flat, in a good region, can be around $900.00 to $1,500.00. Depends of the region, and the number of rooms.

There is a world study which says that the Happyness Salary (which if you earn more, you won´t be happier) is around $6,000.00 for Americans, for example. But for Brazilians, this salary would be $3,500.00.

What a bout electricity and water bill? Is it also cheap?

sao paulo...cheap. this study says something different!

Cost of Living survey 2010 - City rankings

Guys i don't think its the lowest cost in the world!!
i have visited some countries in which you can live at a monthly cost almost half of Brazilians!
but i know if you trying to have a quality living with some extra facilities then Brazil is simply great. so really come to Brazil and see the Beauty of Amazon.

Originally Posted by to.travel

According to some statistics, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo are among the chepeast cities to live in the world.

Is that a joke???

Brazil is by far the most expensive country in South America and at least 2-3 times more expensive than Asia. Even not cheaper than cities like Berlin.
I was shocked on my first trip to Brazil about the costs of living, afte I spend 2 years in Thailand.

Brazil is expensive and the cost of living is going up. I spend roughly USD$833 on all of my monthly expenses.This includes rent, internet bill, food, transportation, light and water. Now salaraies vary. People with University education here can earn anywhere between USD$900 to USD$7000 per month. It depends on the area they work in.

Please, let me reply all:

The Brazilian living cost is really growing up and too fast. You are correct!

But this is happening in the last 2 or 3 years, due to the hard crisis in U.S.A., Europe, and Japanese economies.

The US Dollar has been depreciating day-by-day against the Brazilian currency (Real - BRL).

Brazilian economy has been valorizing too much in the last years, due to the vast oil discoveries in Santos and Rio.

The FED has been printing and inundating U.S.A. and the world with too many Dollars.

A big part of those printed Dollars have been coming to Brazil as investments, because the Brazilian prime rate (SELIC) is one of the highest in the world, so many investors prefer to earn more money investing in the Brazilian bonds.

You can be sure that when FED begins to raise the American Prime Rate, specialists say next year 2012), most of the investments in Brazil will come back to the American bonds, and then the living costs in Brazil will be back as in the past...very low!

It depends... when you look for hotels and lodges, the prices are expensive now... somewhat more expensives than Europe!

In the past, the Brazilian currency BRL was undervalued about 3 or 4 times against USD, now this ratio is about 1,8 times.

When a currency appreciates, the living costs tend to go up.

I will have to agree with Rapagueiro on this matter. I have traveled extensively throughout the world and Brazil is much cheaper than North America or most of Europe. In my humble opinion I believe that in comparison to SE Asia or Asia in general, it is double the cost of traveling there. But it is all relative. Salaries in Asia are much lower than the minimum wage in Brazil. A lot of the poor in Asia have to subsist on salaries equivalent to 30 USD. I believe the average minimum wage in Brazil is roughly R300. Although it would be difficult to live on that in Rio or Sao Paulo.

Yeah.. Brazil is a nice place to live.. but to live a comfortable life their you need to find an stable job to support you and your family.. The wages are good there.. You can search the internet and you can surely find lots of information about brazil there..