Cost Of Living in Brasilia 2025

cost of living chart - average monthly expenditure in Brasilia

Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Brasilia

Whether you're living in Brasilia or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.

Average Monthly Expenditure

Currency: BRL
1,500 15,000 230,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$310 $3,100 $46,000

Monthly Expenditure ▶ Single

Currency: BRL
2,000 14,000 160,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$400 $2,800 $32,000

Monthly Expenditure ▶ Couple

Currency: BRL
3,200 21,000 190,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$650 $4,200 $39,000

Monthly Expenditure ▶ Family

Currency: BRL
5,000 25,000 250,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,000 $5,000 $50,000

Monthly Expenditure ▶ Student

Currency: BRL
1,500 10,000 110,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$310 $2,000 $22,000

Prices and cost of goods and services in Brasilia

Chart showing the prices and cost of grocery, food, restaurant meals, market, and beverages in Brasilia

Dining, food, and beverages costs


Fast food combo meal

18 BRL 36 BRL 59 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.6 $7.2 $12

Restaurant meal for one

62 BRL 93 BRL 190 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$13 $19 $38

Fine dining meal for one

120 BRL 180 BRL 710 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$24 $36 $140

Cappuccino or latte

15 BRL 25 BRL 37 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.1 $5 $7.4

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle

12 BRL 15 BRL 19 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.5 $3 $3.8

12 eggs

8.9 BRL 12 BRL 18 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.8 $2.4 $3.6

Fresh whole chicken

21 BRL 28 BRL 39 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.3 $5.6 $7.9

Pack of beef

26 BRL 39 BRL 78 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.2 $7.9 $16

Medium bag of rice

9.4 BRL 13 BRL 18 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.9 $2.6 $3.7

Bag of tomatos

3.6 BRL 4.8 BRL 9 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.72 $0.97 $1.8

Bag of apples

6.5 BRL 8.5 BRL 14 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.3 $1.7 $2.8
Chart showing the prices and cost of commute, travel, and transportation in Brasilia

Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride

16 BRL 19 BRL 38 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.2 $3.8 $7.6

Average car full tank

90 BRL 120 BRL 240 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$18 $24 $48

Average car 1-day rental

83 BRL 110 BRL 170 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$17 $22 $33

Average car price

43,000 BRL 85,000 BRL 110,000 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$8,600 $17,000 $23,000

Bus ticket one way

2.8 BRL 4.2 BRL 8.5 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.57 $0.85 $1.7

Car Service

120 BRL 170 BRL 350 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$23 $35 $70
Chart showing the prices and cost of utility, energy, water, and gas in Brasilia

Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Individual

100 BRL 730 BRL 8,100 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$21 $150 $1,600

Utility Bill - Couple

110 BRL 790 BRL 8,900 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$22 $160 $1,800

Utility Bill - Family

200 BRL 1,000 BRL 10,000 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$41 $200 $2,000

Internet and cable

94 BRL 190 BRL 250 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$19 $38 $51

Mobile phone charges

60 BRL 100 BRL 300 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$12 $20 $61

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket

39 BRL 52 BRL 79 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$7.9 $11 $16

One month gym membership

150 BRL 180 BRL 370 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$30 $37 $74
Chart showing the prices and cost of clothing and accessories in Brasilia

Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants

110 BRL 160 BRL 240 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$22 $32 $47

Woman dress

110 BRL 150 BRL 480 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$22 $30 $97

Woman shoes

94 BRL 130 BRL 300 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$19 $26 $60

Men's shoes

83 BRL 100 BRL 200 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$17 $21 $41

Men suit

94 BRL 120 BRL 630 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$19 $24 $130

Regular t-shirt

48 BRL 64 BRL 190 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$9.7 $13 $39
Chart showing the prices and cost of housing, accommodation, and rent in Brasilia

Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment

1,700 BRL 2,600 BRL 7,000 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$350 $530 $1,400

1-bedroom apartment

2,700 BRL 4,300 BRL 11,000 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$540 $860 $2,200

2-bedroom apartment

3,700 BRL 5,500 BRL 15,000 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$740 $1,100 $3,000

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment

370,000 BRL 550,000 BRL 1.1M BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$74,000 $110,000 $220,000

1-bedroom apartment

450,000 BRL 750,000 BRL 2.8M BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$91,000 $150,000 $570,000

2-bedroom apartment

700,000 BRL 2.1M BRL 4.2M BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$140,000 $420,000 $840,000
Chart showing the prices and cost of furniture in Brasilia

Furniture Costs


King Size Bed

1,800 BRL 2,200 BRL 2,900 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$360 $450 $590

Double Bed

1,200 BRL 1,800 BRL 2,300 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$240 $370 $460

Single Bed

1,100 BRL 1,400 BRL 1,900 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$220 $290 $380

Living Room

2,100 BRL 2,700 BRL 9,600 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$430 $550 $1,900

Dining Table

880 BRL 1,200 BRL 2,200 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$180 $240 $450

Sofa or Couch

1,200 BRL 1,600 BRL 3,600 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$240 $330 $730
Chart showing the prices and cost of electronic devices and appliances in Brasilia

Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set

1,200 BRL 1,800 BRL 3,600 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$250 $370 $740

Fridge or Freezer

1,100 BRL 1,700 BRL 2,300 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$220 $340 $470

Washing Machine

1,300 BRL 1,900 BRL 3,500 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$270 $390 $700

Stove or Cooker

1,300 BRL 1,600 BRL 2,200 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$260 $330 $450

Mobile Phone

1,500 BRL 1,800 BRL 2,600 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$310 $370 $530

Laptop or Computer

1,700 BRL 2,100 BRL 3,700 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$340 $420 $760
Distribution of monthly cost of living expenses in Brasilia

How do people spend their money in Brasilia?

We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.

The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.

Housing Expenditure24%

24% of total expenses on average (13% to 32%)

LOW$93   460 BRL
AVERAGE$930   4,600 BRL
HIGH$14,000   69,000 BRL
Per Month

People living in Brasilia typically spend from 13% to 32% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 24% being the average. The average spend on housing is 4,600 BRL with expenditure ranging from 460 BRL to 69,000 BRL. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.

Utilities, Electricity, Water, Internet, Mobile7%

7% of total expenses on average (4% to 11%)

LOW$14   67 BRL
AVERAGE$140   670 BRL
HIGH$2,000   10,000 BRL
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Brasilia ranges from 4% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 670 BRL with 67 BRL and 10,000 BRL being the upper and lower limits.

Transport, Fuel, Commute7%

7% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)

LOW$29   150 BRL
AVERAGE$290   1,500 BRL
HIGH$4,400   22,000 BRL
Per Month

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 150 BRL to 22,000 BRL on commuting with 1,500 BRL being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 7% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 11%.

Food and Groceries Cost28%

28% of total expenses on average (20% to 34%)

LOW$71   350 BRL
AVERAGE$710   3,500 BRL
HIGH$11,000   53,000 BRL
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries in a month in Brasilia is 3,500 BRL. The cost of groceries can range between 350 BRL to 53,000 BRL. People spend on average about 28% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 20% and 34% respectively.

Healthcare and Medical Services10%

10% of total expenses on average (5% to 13%)

LOW$18   87 BRL
AVERAGE$180   870 BRL
HIGH$2,600   13,000 BRL
Per Month

People in Brasilia allocate 5% to 13% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 87 BRL to 13,000 BRL with 870 BRL being the norm.

Leisure and Shopping5%

5% of total expenses on average (2% to 9%)

LOW$11   57 BRL
AVERAGE$110   570 BRL
HIGH$1,700   8,500 BRL
Per Month

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 57 BRL to 8,500 BRL with 570 BRL being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 9% of total expenses with an average of 5% for most residents.

Education and Schooling5%

5% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)

LOW$17   85 BRL
AVERAGE$170   850 BRL
HIGH$2,600   13,000 BRL
Per Month

Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 5% of the monthly expenditure with 3% and 11% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 850 BRL per month with 85 BRL being the minimum spent amount and 13,000 BRL being the maximum.

Other Expenses13%

13% of total expenses on average (8% to 20%)

LOW$39   190 BRL
AVERAGE$390   1,900 BRL
HIGH$5,900   29,000 BRL
Per Month
The figures displayed here are inclusive of everything: housing, travel, groceries, healthcare, etc.

Singles

The average monthly expense for a single person living in Brasilia is 14,000 BRL. Expenses can range from 2,000 BRL at the minimum level to 160,000 BRL at the highest end.


Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Brasilia is 21,000 BRL. Expenditure can range from 3,200 BRL to 190,000 BRL per month.


Families

The average cost of living for families in Brasilia is 25,000 BRL per month. Families spend anywhere from 5,000 BRL to 250,000 BRL.


Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Brasilia is 10,000 BRL. Students spend from 1,500 BRL to 110,000 BRL per month.


Spending behavior can change drastically from one person to another. It is best to consider the minimum, average, and maximum spending together.
Percentage of people who manage to save money from their income every month in Brasilia

How much money can you save in Brasilia every month?

We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.


What percentage of people in Brasilia manage to save money from their income every month?


Saving Money
76%
Not Saving
24%

Almost 76% of the surveyed people in Brasilia said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 24% said that aren't saving anything.


Percentage of people saving money by population group in Brasilia

GroupSaversNon Savers
Singles76%24%
Couples74%26%
Families65%36%

Savings-to-Income Ratio

The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.


Savings to income ratio in Brasilia

Saving to Income Ratio

16% 26% of income 39%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

610 BRL
$120
6,100 BRL
$1,200
91,000 BRL
$18,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

For most people, 16% to 39% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 26% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 6,100 BRL on average with savings ranging from 610 BRL to 91,000 BRL.

76% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 74% of couples said the same. 65% of families confirmed their ability to save money.


How much money do people actually save in Brasilia?

The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.


Singles

Saving to Income Ratio

19% 31% of income 42%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

570 BRL
$120
5,200 BRL
$1,000
57,000 BRL
$12,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for singles

Saving To Income Ratio% Singles
0% - 10%31%
10% - 20%25%
20% - 30%16%
30% - 40%14%
40% - 50%10%
> 50%4%

Interpretation and Analysis

Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 19% to 42% of their monthly income to savings, with 31% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 5,200 BRL with 570 BRL and 57,000 BRL being the minimum and maximum respectively.


Couples

Saving to Income Ratio

17% 29% of income 42%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

1,200 BRL
$240
7,700 BRL
$1,500
71,000 BRL
$14,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for couples

Saving To Income Ratio% Couples
0% - 10%35%
10% - 20%27%
20% - 30%19%
30% - 40%9%
40% - 50%7%
> 50%3%

Interpretation and Analysis

Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 17% to 42% of their monthly income, with 29% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 7,700 BRL with 1,200 BRL and 71,000 BRL being the minimum and maximum respectively.


Families

Saving to Income Ratio

14% 23% of income 34%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

1,800 BRL
$370
9,100 BRL
$1,800
91,000 BRL
$18,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Saving To Income Ratio% Families
0% - 10%38%
10% - 20%30%
20% - 30%20%
30% - 40%6%
40% - 50%4%
> 50%2%

Interpretation and Analysis

Families in Brasilia can save anywhere between 14% to 34% of their monthly income, with 23% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 9,100 BRL with 1,800 BRL and 91,000 BRL being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money in Brasilia

Saving Challenges in Brasilia

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Brasilia. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.


Reason% People
Low Income5%
High Expenses8%
Debt and Loans15%
Lack of Budgeting Skills11%
Impulsive Spending11%
Financial Emergencies7%
Living the moment6%
Will do it later20%
Inflation13%
Social Pressure3%
Market Instability2%

Around 5% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 8% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 15% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 11% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 11% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 7% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 6% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 20% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 13% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 2% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Chart showing the percentage of people who are in debt in Brasilia

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Brasilia


Percentage of people who are in debt


In Debt
23%
Debt Free
77%

According to the survey, 23% of the people in Brasilia have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 77% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.


Chart showing debt-to-income ratio in Brasilia

Debt-to-income ratio in Brasilia

Debt to income ratio

28%

19% to 37%

( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 28% of the people's monthly income in Brasilia goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%3%
50% - 60%16%
40% - 50%14%
30% - 40%16%
20% - 30%12%
10% - 20%14%
0% - 10%26%

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Brasilia pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 16% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 14% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 16% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 12% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.


Distribution by type of debt in Brasilia

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage10%
Auto Loan17%
Student Loan4%
Credit Card28%
Personal Loan41%

10% of debtors in Brasilia confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 28% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 17% of people and personal loans rose at 41%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Brasilia.


About credit score and debt management

Managing debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.


Loan Affordability Index in Brasilia

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Frequency% People
Never52%
Once a year23%
Twice a year12%
Three times a year9%
Four times a year4%

Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Brasilia

What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Brasilia and how much retirement savings are required?

Retirement age

The retirement age for most employees in is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.

Retirement planning and savings

There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.


The typical saved amount of money you should have at every age as multiples of monthly salary:
AgeAmount
255x monthly salary at age 25
3010x monthly salary at age 30
3515x monthly salary at age 35
4025x monthly salary at age 40
4532x monthly salary at age 45
5048x monthly salary at age 50
5556x monthly salary at age 55
6064x monthly salary at age 60
6578x monthly salary at age 65

The typical average saved amount of money you should have at every age in Brasilia:
AgeAmount
2534,000 BRL
3070,000 BRL
35130,000 BRL
40180,000 BRL
45260,000 BRL
50370,000 BRL
55450,000 BRL
60570,000 BRL
65630,000 BRL

Retirement Income Distribution

We asked residents about their retirement income sources and below are the results.

Source% People
Pensions12%
Savings23%
Investments12%
Social Security7%
Annuities7%
Part-time Job13%
Real Estate18%
Dividends and Interest7%

Retirement Monthly Expenses in Brasilia

1,100 BRL
$230
10,000 BRL
$2,100
110,000 BRL
$23,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
Where do people choose to put their savings in Brasilia

Typical saving choices for people in Brasilia

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds12%
Gold12%
Savings Accounts17%
Retirement Accounts10%
Cash Savings19%
Real Estate9%
Investment5%
Stocks5%
Bonds5%
Mutual Funds2%
Certificates of Deposit3%

Emergency Funds

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes69%

No31%


Based on the survey, 31% of the people living in Brasilia said that they don't have an emergency fund while 69% said that they do.

How easily is cost-cutting. Are there plenty of low-cost options in Brasilia

Low-cost alternatives in Brasilia

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options61%

Few low-cost options39%


Based on the survey, 61% of the people living in Brasilia have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 39% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Financial literacy and difficulty in budgeting and financial planning in Brasilia

Financial Literacy in

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy64%


We asked residents of whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 36% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 64% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.


Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether residents of have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 26% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 74% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance26%

Easily manages finances74%

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Brasilia

Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.


Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Brasilia

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Individual

100 BRL 730 BRL 8,100 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$21 $150 $1,600

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple

110 BRL 790 BRL 8,900 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$22 $160 $1,800

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

200 BRL 1,000 BRL 10,000 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$41 $200 $2,000

Internet and cable cost

94 BRL 190 BRL 250 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$19 $38 $51

Mobile phone bill and charges

60 BRL 100 BRL 300 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$12 $20 $61

Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.


The average monthly expenditure for individuals on electricty, water, and gas in Brasilia ranges between 100 BRL and 8,100 BRL with average being 730 BRL, meanwhile the expenditure of couples is slightly higher at 790 BRL with 110 BRL and 8,900 BRL being the upper and lower limits respectively. As expected, the energy and water consumption of families is the highest among the three groups with an average of 1,000 BRL. The cost of internet and WiFi is unchanged among the three groups and ranges from 94 BRL to 250 BRL with 190 BRL being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 100 BRL but can range between 60 BRL and 300 BRL depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.


Energy / Utility expense to income ratio


( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100


2.4% 6% of income 11%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average utility-to-income ratio in Brasilia is around 6%. This means that people pay 6% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2.4% to 11% depending on salary and location.

Income and cost of living compatibility. Is it affordable or economical to live in Brasilia

Affordable living in Brasilia

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Brasilia?


Yes
69%
No
31%

Around 69% of surveyed residents think that living in Brasilia is affordable with proper budgeting while 31% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Financial goals and targets of people living in Brasilia

Financial goals of people in Brasilia

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Brasilia, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.


Financial Goal% People
Emergency Fund8%
Debt Reduction40%
Retirement Savings10%
Education Funding7%
Homeownership18%
Investing7%
Travel or Lifestyle8%
Healthcare Expenses12%
Financial Independence6%

Around 8% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 40% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 10% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 7% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 18% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 7% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 8% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 12% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Expenditure to Income Ratio in Brasilia

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.

Cost of living and expenditure to income ratio in Brasilia

Spending to Income Ratio

96%

86% to 110%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Expense to income distribution levels

Spending To Income Ratio% People
< 50%5%
50% - 60%9%
60% - 70%16%
70% - 80%25%
80% - 90%19%
90% - 100%10%
100% - 110%6%
110% - 120%4%
120% - 130%3%
130% - 140%2%
> 140%2%

Interpretation and Analysis

The average spending-to-salary ratio in Brasilia is 96% This means that on average, people spend around 96% of their income for living. According to the distribution table, 16% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.


How can spending be more than income?

A value higher than 100% means that the expenditure of those people is higher than their income. They are spending more than what they earn. This is possible in two scenarios. They are either borrowing from their savings to survive or they are borrowing from other sources (relatives, friends, banks, etc.). More about this in the debt section.



Individual
89%
Spending-Income-Ratio
79%
99%

Couple
97%
Spending-Income-Ratio
86%
110%

Family
99%
Spending-Income-Ratio
88%
110%
A typical and healthy budgeting structure. The 50-30-20 rule

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

  • 50% for needs and financial obligations

    This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

  • 30% for wants and discretionary spending

    This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

  • 20% for savings and emergency fund

    This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.

Housing and accommodation affordability, property price to income ratio, rent to income ratio, and housing affordability index chart in Brasilia

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Brasilia

Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Rent Cost in Brasilia

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

1,700 BRL 2,600 BRL 7,000 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$350 $530 $1,400

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

2,700 BRL 4,300 BRL 11,000 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$540 $860 $2,200

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

3,700 BRL 5,500 BRL 15,000 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$740 $1,100 $3,000

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

4,500 BRL 7,500 BRL 21,000 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$910 $1,500 $4,100

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

8,600 BRL 21,000 BRL 43,000 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,700 $4,300 $8,700

Townhouse monthly rent cost

7,000 BRL 10,000 BRL 30,000 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,400 $2,100 $6,000

House monthly rent cost

8,600 BRL 22,000 BRL 43,000 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1,700 $4,300 $8,700

Villa monthly rent cost

10,000 BRL 26,000 BRL 42,000 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2,100 $5,300 $8,400

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Brasilia ranges between 1,700 BRL and 7,000 BRL, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 2,700 BRL to 11,000 BRL. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 3,700 BRL and 15,000 BRL per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 4,500 BRL to 21,000 BRL. The average rent of a townhouse in Brasilia is around 10,000 BRL while house rental costs can be as high as 22,000 BRL per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 10,000 BRL to 42,000 BRL per month.



Apartment and house prices in Brasilia

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

370,000 BRL 550,000 BRL 1.1M BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$74,000 $110,000 $220,000

1-bedroom apartment price

450,000 BRL 750,000 BRL 2.8M BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$91,000 $150,000 $570,000

2-bedroom apartment price

700,000 BRL 2.1M BRL 4.2M BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$140,000 $420,000 $840,000

3-bedroom apartment price

2.4M BRL 3.6M BRL 11M BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$480,000 $720,000 $2.2M

Townhouse price

3.2M BRL 7.4M BRL 28M BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$640,000 $1.5M $5.6M

House price

3.8M BRL 23M BRL 32M BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$760,000 $4.6M $6.5M

Villa price

4.5M BRL 25M BRL 38M BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$910,000 $5.1M $7.6M

The average price of a studio apartment in Brasilia can range from 370,000 BRL to 1.1M BRL depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 450,000 BRL to 2.8M BRL. A villa can cost you 25M BRL on average with prices ranging from 4.5M BRL to 38M BRL.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Brasilia will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.

House / apartment prices to income ratio


Property price to income ratio

( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100


60 x175 monthly income 301
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in Brasilia can be x175 to x301 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x175 multiples of the average monthly salary in Brasilia.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


28% 41% of income 53%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in Brasilia is around 41%. This means that people pay 41% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 28% to 53% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.


The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Housing Affordability Index
31%

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.


FROM
2.3%
AVERAGE
3.3%
TO
4.3%

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.


31 BRL 310 BRL 4,600 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Brasilia

Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Prices and cost of goods and services in Brasilia

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

18 BRL 36 BRL 59 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.6 $7.2 $12

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Brasilia is approximatly 36 BRL with meal cost ranging from 18 BRL to 59 BRL. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

62 BRL 93 BRL 190 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$13 $19 $38

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 62 BRL and 190 BRL with 93 BRL being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Brasilia.

Fine dining meal for one price

120 BRL 180 BRL 710 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$24 $36 $140

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 120 BRL to 710 BRL with the average cost being 180 BRL for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Brasilia.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

15 BRL 25 BRL 37 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.1 $5 $7.4

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Brasilia is around 25 BRL. Price ranges between 15 BRL and 37 BRL depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.



Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

12 BRL 15 BRL 19 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.5 $3 $3.8

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Brasilia is 15 BRL. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 19 BRL and the minimum being 12 BRL depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

8.9 BRL 12 BRL 18 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.8 $2.4 $3.6

A dozen eggs costs around 12 BRL on average with 8.9 BRL and 18 BRL being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

21 BRL 28 BRL 39 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.3 $5.6 $7.9

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Brasilia is between 21 BRL and 39 BRL depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 28 BRL.

Pack of beef price

26 BRL 39 BRL 78 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.2 $7.9 $16

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 39 BRL. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

9.4 BRL 13 BRL 18 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.9 $2.6 $3.7

A bag of rice in Brasilia costs around 13 BRL on average with prices rangeing between 9.4 BRL and 18 BRL depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

3.6 BRL 4.8 BRL 9 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.72 $0.97 $1.8

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 3.6 BRL to 9 BRL. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

6.5 BRL 8.5 BRL 14 BRL
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.3 $1.7 $2.8

A bag of apples costs 8.5 BRL on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.


Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio


( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100


20% 29% of income 36%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Brasilia is around 29%. This means that people spend 29% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 20% to 36% depending on salary and location.


Expenditure on food and grocery for every population group

A single person living alone spends approximately 2,000 BRL per month on grocery and food with expenditure fluctuating between 290 BRL and 23,000 BRL depending on location and the type of person. The average cost of food and groceries for a couple is around 2,600 BRL per month. That number can be get as low as 400 BRL or a high as 24,000 BRL. Families' spending on grocery ranges from 760 BRL to 38,000 BRL with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

Cost of living comparison by city

#1 Petrolina and Juazeiro

The average cost of living in Petrolina and Juazeiro is 7,100 BRL, which is 53% less than the country average. Petrolina and Juazeiro is ranked first in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#2 Vitoria

The average cost of living in Vitoria is 7,300 BRL, which is 53% less than the country average. Vitoria is ranked second in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#3 Maringa

The average cost of living in Maringa is 7,600 BRL, which is 53% less than the country average. Maringa is ranked third in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#4 Santos

The average cost of living in Santos is 7,900 BRL, which is 53% less than the country average. Santos is ranked fourth in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#5 Vale do Aco

The average cost of living in Vale do Aco is 8,100 BRL, which is 47% less than the country average. Vale do Aco is ranked fifth in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#6 Macapa

The average cost of living in Macapa is 8,400 BRL, which is 47% less than the country average. Macapa is ranked sixth in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#7 Londrina

The average cost of living in Londrina is 8,700 BRL, which is 47% less than the country average. Londrina is ranked seventh in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#8 Cuiaba

The average cost of living in Cuiaba is 9,000 BRL, which is 40% less than the country average. Cuiaba is ranked eighth in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#9 Aracaju

The average cost of living in Aracaju is 9,300 BRL, which is 40% less than the country average. Aracaju is ranked ninth in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#10 Joao Pessoa

The average cost of living in Joao Pessoa is 9,600 BRL, which is 40% less than the country average. Joao Pessoa is ranked tenth in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#11 Teresina

The average cost of living in Teresina is 10,000 BRL, which is 33% less than the country average. Teresina is ranked eleventh in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#12 Natal

The average cost of living in Natal is 10,000 BRL, which is 33% less than the country average. Natal is ranked twelfth in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#13 Maceio

The average cost of living in Maceio is 11,000 BRL, which is 27% less than the country average. Maceio is ranked thirteenth in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#14 Sao Luis

The average cost of living in Sao Luis is 11,000 BRL, which is 27% less than the country average. Sao Luis is ranked fourteenth in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#15 Campinas

The average cost of living in Campinas is 11,000 BRL, which is 27% less than the country average. Campinas is ranked fifteenth in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#16 Porto Alegre

The average cost of living in Porto Alegre is 12,000 BRL, which is 20% less than the country average. Porto Alegre is ranked sixteenth in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#17 Goiania

The average cost of living in Goiania is 12,000 BRL, which is 20% less than the country average. Goiania is ranked seventeenth in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#18 Belem

The average cost of living in Belem is 12,000 BRL, which is 20% less than the country average. Belem is ranked eighteenth in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#19 Recife

The average cost of living in Recife is 13,000 BRL, which is 13% less than the country average. Recife is ranked nineteenth in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#20 Curitiba

The average cost of living in Curitiba is 13,000 BRL, which is 13% less than the country average. Curitiba is ranked twentyth in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#21 Manaus

The average cost of living in Manaus is 14,000 BRL, which is 6.7% less than the country average. Manaus is ranked twenty-onth in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#22 Belo Horizonte

The average cost of living in Belo Horizonte is 14,000 BRL, which is 6.7% less than the country average. Belo Horizonte is ranked twenty-twoth in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#23 Fortaleza

The average cost of living in Fortaleza is 14,000 BRL, which is 6.7% less than the country average. Fortaleza is ranked twenty-threth in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#24 Salvador

The average cost of living in Salvador is 15,000 BRL, which is same as the country average. Salvador is ranked twenty-fourth in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#25 Brasilia

The average cost of living in Brasilia is 15,000 BRL, which is same as the country average. Brasilia is ranked twenty-fivth in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#26 Rio de Janeiro

The average cost of living in Rio de Janeiro is 16,000 BRL, which is 6.7% more than the country average. Rio de Janeiro is ranked twenty-sixth in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


#27 Sao Paulo

The average cost of living in Sao Paulo is 16,000 BRL, which is 6.7% more than the country average. Sao Paulo is ranked twenty-seventh in Brazil in terms of expendenture and cost of living.


Published: October 31, 2024   Last Update: May 24, 2025



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