Cost of living in Brazilian state capitals in 2026: São Paulo costs R$ 5,253/month and Macapá just R$ 2,003
Living in São Paulo costs R$ 5,253 per month. In Macapá (AP), the same standard of living is R$ 2,003. The 162% difference between Brazil's most expensive and most affordable capital reveals a country with extremely unequal cost of living — and explains why more and more Brazilians question whether it's worth paying the price of life in major Southeast metropolises.
The Cities Score survey on cost of living in Brazil's 27 state capitals, based on IBGE, DIEESE and ANP data, shows that Brazil has affordable capitals hidden in the North and Northeast — and prohibitive capitals in the Southeast and South that consume most of the salary on rent before any other expense.
Cost of living ranking in capitals (2026)
| # | Capital/State | Region | Monthly Cost | Rent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Aracaju (SE) | Northeast | R$ 2,058.00 | R$ 1,300.00 | 79/100 |
| 🥈 | Teresina (PI) | Northeast | R$ 2,026.00 | R$ 1,250.00 | 79/100 |
| 🥉 | Macapá (AP) | North | R$ 2,002.80 | R$ 1,200.00 | 78/100 |
| 4 | São Luís (MA) | Northeast | R$ 2,154.80 | R$ 1,400.00 | 76/100 |
| 5 | Rio Branco (AC) | North | R$ 2,114.00 | R$ 1,300.00 | 73/100 |
| 6 | Maceió (AL) | Northeast | R$ 2,433.56 | R$ 1,700.00 | 72/100 |
| 7 | Palmas (TO) | North | R$ 2,299.40 | R$ 1,500.00 | 72/100 |
| 8 | João Pessoa (PB) | Northeast | R$ 2,405.60 | R$ 1,600.00 | 71/100 |
| 9 | Belém (PA) | North | R$ 2,356.00 | R$ 1,500.00 | 69/100 |
| 10 | Porto Velho (RO) | North | R$ 2,368.00 | R$ 1,500.00 | 68/100 |
| 11 | Boa Vista (RR) | North | R$ 2,332.00 | R$ 1,400.00 | 66/100 |
| 12 | Campo Grande (MS) | Center-West | R$ 2,539.00 | R$ 1,600.00 | 65/100 |
| 13 | Cuiabá (MT) | Center-West | R$ 2,617.80 | R$ 1,700.00 | 63/100 |
| 14 | Fortaleza (CE) | Northeast | R$ 2,748.00 | R$ 1,900.00 | 62/100 |
| 15 | Recife (PE) | Northeast | R$ 2,800.40 | R$ 2,000.00 | 61/100 |
| 16 | Goiânia (GO) | Center-West | R$ 2,879.20 | R$ 2,000.00 | 60/100 |
| 17 | Salvador (BA) | Northeast | R$ 2,968.80 | R$ 2,100.00 | 54/100 |
| 18 | Manaus (AM) | North | R$ 3,018.00 | R$ 2,100.00 | 52/100 |
| 19 | Natal (RN) | Northeast | R$ 3,386.00 | R$ 2,600.00 | 50/100 |
| 20 | Porto Alegre (RS) | South | R$ 3,191.20 | R$ 2,200.00 | 49/100 |
| 21 | Belo Horizonte (MG) | Southeast | R$ 3,341.00 | R$ 2,400.00 | 47/100 |
| 22 | Curitiba (PR) | South | R$ 3,314.00 | R$ 2,300.00 | 47/100 |
| 23 | Vitória (ES) | Southeast | R$ 3,546.80 | R$ 2,600.00 | 43/100 |
| 24 | Brasília (DF) | Center-West | R$ 3,954.00 | R$ 3,000.00 | 33/100 |
| 25 | Florianópolis (SC) | South | R$ 3,874.00 | R$ 2,800.00 | 31/100 |
| 26 | Rio de Janeiro (RJ) | Southeast | R$ 4,479.20 | R$ 3,500.00 | 22/100 |
| 27 | São Paulo (SP) | Southeast | R$ 5,253.20 | R$ 4,200.00 | 4/100 |
Methodology: Estimated monthly cost considering 1-bedroom rent (Airbnb/Vivareal median), basic groceries (DIEESE), transport (fare + fuel) and basic expenses. Source: own survey with IBGE, ANP, DIEESE. Average gasoline: R$ 6/L.
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Cofundador do Seu Crédito Digital e idealizador do Score de Cidades. Jornalista, bacharel em Administração de Empresas pela UFRGS e especialista em SEO e inteligência territorial. Responsável pela curadoria e metodologia dos dados de cidades, estados e bairros.