Cost Of Living in Natal 2025

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

Whether you're living in Natal 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.

Singles

The average monthly expense for a single person living in Natal is 9,600 BRL. Expenses can range from 1,400 BRL at the minimum level to 64,000 BRL at the highest end.

Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Natal is 16,000 BRL. Expenditure can range from 5,400 BRL to 86,000 BRL per month.

Families

The average cost of living for families in Natal is 21,000 BRL per month. Families spend anywhere from 7,500 BRL to 140,000 BRL.

Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Natal is 7,000 BRL. Students spend from 1,100 BRL to 47,000 BRL per month.

Expenditure to Income Ratio in Natal

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.

Expense to income distribution levels

Interpretation and Analysis

The average spending-to-salary ratio in Natal is 81% This means that on average, people spend around 81% of their income for living. According to the distribution table, 16% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.

Individual
73%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

65%

81%

Couple
77%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

69%

85%

Family
85%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

76%

94%

How do people spend their money in Natal?

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

People living in Natal typically spend from 14% to 33% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 25% being the average. The average spend on housing is 4,200 BRL with expenditure ranging from 320 BRL to 42,000 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.

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Natal ranges from 4% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 700 BRL with 54 BRL and 7,000 BRL being the upper and lower limits.

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 110 BRL to 14,000 BRL on commuting with 1,400 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%.

The average outlay on groceries in a month in Natal is 3,500 BRL. The cost of groceries can range between 270 BRL to 35,000 BRL. People spend on average about 28% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 20% and 34% respectively.

People in Natal 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 75 BRL to 9,700 BRL with 970 BRL being the norm.

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 43 BRL to 5,600 BRL with 560 BRL being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 9% of total expenses with an average of 5% for most residents.

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 840 BRL per month with 64 BRL being the minimum spent amount and 8,400 BRL being the maximum.

How much money can you save in Natal 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 Natal manage to save money from their income every month?

Almost 65% of the surveyed people in Natal said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 35% said that aren't saving anything.

Percentage of people saving money by population group in Natal

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

For most people, 13% to 32% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 22% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 5,100 BRL on average with savings ranging from 390 BRL to 51,000 BRL.

65% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 61% of couples said the same. 56% of families confirmed their ability to save money.

How much money do people actually save in Natal?

Singles

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for singles

Interpretation and Analysis

Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 16% to 34% of their monthly income to savings, with 25% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 3,500 BRL with 390 BRL and 23,000 BRL being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Couples

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for couples

Interpretation and Analysis

Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 14% to 33% of their monthly income, with 23% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 5,900 BRL with 2,000 BRL and 31,000 BRL being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Families

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Interpretation and Analysis

Families in Natal can save anywhere between 12% to 29% of their monthly income, with 20% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 7,800 BRL with 2,700 BRL and 51,000 BRL being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Saving Challenges in Natal

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

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

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. 19% 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. 12% 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.

Typical saving choices for people in Natal

Where do people choose to put their savings?

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

Affordable living in Natal

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Natal?

Around 67% of surveyed residents think that living in Natal is affordable with proper budgeting while 33% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Low-cost alternatives in Natal

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 options60%

Few low-cost options41%

Based on the survey, 60% of the people living in Natal have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 41% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

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 of Natal whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes67%

No33%

Based on the survey, 33% of the people living in Natal said that they don't have an emergency fund while 67% said that they do.

Financial Literacy in Brazil

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 Brazil 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 Brazil 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%

Financial goals of people in Natal

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Natal, 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.

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 38% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 9% 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.

Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Natal

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

Retirement age

The retirement age for most employees in Brazil 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.

Retirement Income Distribution

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

Retirement Monthly Expenses in Natal

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Natal

Percentage of people who are in debt

According to the survey, 22% of the people in Natal have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 78% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.

Debt-to-income ratio in Natal

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 27% of the people's monthly income in Natal goes to debt settlement.

Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Natal pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 15% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 13% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 15% 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 Natal

10% of debtors in Natal 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 18% of people and personal loans rose at 40%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Natal.

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 Natal

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Natal 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.

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Natal

Rent Cost in Natal

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

1,200 BRL

1,800 BRL

4,900 BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$250

$370

$980

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

1,800 BRL

2,900 BRL

7,300 BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$370

$590

$1,500

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

2,400 BRL

3,700 BRL

9,800 BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$490

$740

$2,000

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

2,900 BRL

4,900 BRL

13,000 BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$590

$980

$2,700

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

5,900 BRL

15,000 BRL

29,000 BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1,200

$3,000

$5,900

Townhouse monthly rent cost

4,900 BRL

7,300 BRL

21,000 BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$980

$1,500

$4,200

House monthly rent cost

5,900 BRL

15,000 BRL

29,000 BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1,200

$3,000

$5,900

Villa monthly rent cost

7,300 BRL

18,000 BRL

29,000 BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1,500

$3,700

$5,900

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Natal ranges between 1,200 BRL and 4,900 BRL, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 1,800 BRL to 7,300 BRL. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 2,400 BRL and 9,800 BRL per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 2,900 BRL to 13,000 BRL. The average rent of a townhouse in Natal is around 7,300 BRL while house rental costs can be as high as 15,000 BRL per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 7,300 BRL to 29,000 BRL per month.

Apartment and house prices in Natal

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

240,000 BRL

370,000 BRL

730,000 BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$49,000

$74,000

$150,000

1-bedroom apartment price

290,000 BRL

490,000 BRL

1.8M BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$59,000

$98,000

$370,000

2-bedroom apartment price

490,000 BRL

1.5M BRL

2.9M BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$98,000

$300,000

$590,000

3-bedroom apartment price

1.6M BRL

2.4M BRL

7.3M BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$330,000

$490,000

$1.5M

Townhouse price

2.1M BRL

4.9M BRL

18M BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$420,000

$980,000

$3.7M

House price

2.4M BRL

15M BRL

21M BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$490,000

$3M

$4.2M

Villa price

2.9M BRL

16M BRL

24M BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$590,000

$3.3M

$4.9M

The average price of a studio apartment in Natal can range from 240,000 BRL to 730,000 BRL depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 290,000 BRL to 1.8M BRL. A villa can cost you 16M BRL on average with prices ranging from 2.9M BRL to 24M BRL.

House / apartment prices to income ratio

Property prices in Natal can be x122 to x210 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x122 multiples of the average monthly salary in Natal.

Rent to income ratio

The average rent-to-income ratio in Natal is around 32%. This means that people pay 32% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 22% to 42% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Natal

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

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Individual

82 BRL

580 BRL

3,900 BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$17

$120

$780

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple

210 BRL

720 BRL

4,700 BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$43

$150

$950

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

370 BRL

1,100 BRL

7,000 BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$76

$220

$1,400

Internet and cable cost

75 BRL

150 BRL

200 BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$15

$30

$40

Mobile phone bill and charges

60 BRL

100 BRL

300 BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$12

$20

$60

The average monthly expenditure for individuals on electricty, water, and gas in Natal ranges between 82 BRL and 3,900 BRL with average being 580 BRL, meanwhile the expenditure of couples is slightly higher at 720 BRL with 210 BRL and 4,700 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 1,100 BRL. The cost of internet and WiFi is unchanged among the three groups and ranges from 75 BRL to 200 BRL with 150 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

The average utility-to-income ratio in Natal is around 4.9%. This means that people pay 4.9% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2% to 8.8% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Natal

Prices and cost of goods and services in Natal

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

Fast food combo meal price

15 BRL

30 BRL

50 BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$3

$6

$10

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Natal is approximatly 30 BRL with meal cost ranging from 15 BRL to 50 BRL. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

49 BRL

74 BRL

150 BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$9.9

$15

$30

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 49 BRL and 150 BRL with 74 BRL being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Natal.

Fine dining meal for one price

99 BRL

150 BRL

590 BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$20

$30

$120

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 99 BRL to 590 BRL with the average cost being 150 BRL for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Natal.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

12 BRL

20 BRL

30 BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2.5

$4

$6

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Natal is around 20 BRL. Price ranges between 12 BRL and 30 BRL depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.

Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

10 BRL

12 BRL

15 BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2

$2.4

$3

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Natal is 12 BRL. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 15 BRL and the minimum being 10 BRL depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

7.5 BRL

10 BRL

15 BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.5

$2

$3

A dozen eggs costs around 10 BRL on average with 7.5 BRL and 15 BRL being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

17 BRL

22 BRL

31 BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$3.4

$4.4

$6.3

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Natal is between 17 BRL and 31 BRL depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 22 BRL.

Pack of beef price

20 BRL

30 BRL

60 BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$4

$6

$12

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 30 BRL. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

8 BRL

11 BRL

16 BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.6

$2.2

$3.1

A bag of rice in Natal costs around 11 BRL on average with prices rangeing between 8 BRL and 16 BRL depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

3 BRL

4 BRL

7.5 BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.60

$0.80

$1.5

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 3 BRL to 7.5 BRL. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

5.3 BRL

7 BRL

11 BRL

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.1

$1.4

$2.3

A bag of apples costs 7 BRL on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Natal is around 24%. This means that people spend 24% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 17% to 30% depending on salary and location.

Expenditure on food and grocery for every population group

A single person living alone spends approximately 1,500 BRL per month on grocery and food with expenditure fluctuating between 220 BRL and 10,000 BRL depending on location and the type of person. The average cost of food and groceries for a couple is around 2,200 BRL per month. That number can be get as low as 750 BRL or a high as 12,000 BRL. Families' spending on grocery ranges from 1,300 BRL to 25,000 BRL with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

SingleSpending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in Natal

CoupleAverage monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in Natal

FamilyAverage monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in Natal

StudentCost of living and expenses break down for students living in Natal