With an intriguing mix of cultures, landscapes, and opportunities, Brazil offers an exciting new home to British expats with a sense of adventure. Before making your big move to South America’s largest country, it’s important to take a close look at the cost of living in Brazil so you can make sure you will enjoy a comfortable lifestyle.

Sign up for a Moneycorp personal account and send money to Brazil conveniently.

 

The currency in Brazil

The currency in Brazil is the Brazilian Real (R$). The official currency code, which you will see displayed at Moneycorp, is BRL. The Brazilian Real replaced the Cruzeiro Real in 1994. The exchange rate is floating, which means the currency’s value is determined by supply and demand. The Banco Central do Brasil does not intervene in the FX market to determine the level of the exchange rate. £1 is worth R$6.23 on 6 February 2023 at 2pm.

 

Where to live in Brazil

If you can decide where you want to live in Brazil, think carefully about the kind of lifestyle you would like to have. Life in the capital Brasilia and large cities such as Sao Paulo is fast paced, as these locations are centred around business and commerce. Coastal cities such as Florianopolis and Rio de Janeiro tend to offer a more relaxed pace of life.

If you’re not planning on buying a car, you will need to take public transport into consideration when deciding where to live. According to the 2023 Mercer Cost of Living Survey, Sao Paulo is the world’s 168th most expensive city to live in, while Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia are the 176th and 200th most expensive cities.

 

How much does accommodation cost in Brazil?

is likely to be your largest expense, so it’s important to get a good idea of average prices when considering the cost of living in Brazil. Rental and property prices vary from city to city, although they tend to be much lower than what you would pay in the UK. All figures taken from Numbeo.com and exchange rates were calculated at 2pm on 6 February 2023.

 

Sao Paulo

Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£475.70 (2963.75 R$)
Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£283.79 (1768.09 R$)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£881.47 (5491.77 R$)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£588.50 (3666.52 R$)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (city centre)	£2163.90 (13481.58 R$)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (outside centre)	£1433.82 (8933.03 R$)

 

Rio de Janeiro

Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£329.38 (2052.14 R$)
Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£219.45 (1367.24 R$)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£674.13 (4200.00 R$)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£490.51 (3056.00 R$)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (city centre)	£1821.73 (11349.77 R$)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (outside centre)	£1084.00 (6753.55 R$)

 

Florianopolis

Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£311.38 (1940.00 R$)
Monthly rent for 1 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£214.83 (1338.46 R$)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (city centre)	£612.60 (3816.67 R$)
Monthly rent for 3 bedroom apartment (outside centre)	£472.61 (2944.44 R$)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (city centre)	£1528.03 (9520.00 R$)
Price per square meter to buy apartment (outside centre)	£1147.63 (7150.00 R$)

 

How much does transport cost in Brazil?

Brazil’s major towns and cities usually have reliable public transport links, such as buses, taxis, and, in some places, metros as well as domestic and international airports. Transport options are more limited in smaller towns. If you travel across the country, you may need to use planes, buses, or boats. Given the vast size of the country, you might find it convenient to purchase a car, especially if you’re planning to travel longer distances. The cost of public transport is one of the reasons the average cost of living in Brazil is so low compared to the UK and most European countries.

 

Single bus ticket	£0.76 (4.75 R$)
Monthly public transport ticket	£35.31 (220.00 R$)
Petrol (1 litre)	£1.04 (6.49 R$)
Volkswagen Golf	£16050.77 (100000.00 R$)
Toyota Corolla	£21744.42 (135472.77 R$)

 

What is the cost of living in Brazil compared to the UK

From food and basic groceries to goods and services, the cost of living in Brazil compared to the UK is significantly lower. British expats with budgets of various sizes can enjoy a good quality of life in this diverse country.

 

Milk (1 litre)	£0.84 (5.22 R$)
Bread (500g loaf)	£1.15 (7.16 R$)
Eggs (12pk)	£1.57 (9.78 R$)
Water (1.5 litre bottle)	£0.53 (3.30 R$)
Chicken Breast (1kg)	£3.27 (20.40 R$)
Cappuccino (regular, in a restaurant)	£1.27 (7.89 R$)
Beer (500ml, in a restaurant/pub)	£1.32 (8.25 R$)
Cinema ticket	£5.46 (34.00 R$)
Gym membership (monthly)	£18.13 (112.98 R$)
Preschool/Kindergarten (monthly)	£232.20 (1446.65 R$)
Primary School (yearly)	£4856.48 (30256.98 R$)

 

Sign up for a personal account with Moneycorp

Make sure you can send money to Brazil securely, conveniently, and at favourable rates. Sign up for a Moneycorp account and manage your foreign exchange with ease in Britain and Brazil.