Cost of Living Comparison Between Auburn, WA and Sao Carlos Cost of Living Comparison Between Auburn, WA and Sao Carlos

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,638 per month in Auburn, WA vs $794 in Sao Carlos, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,699 per month in Auburn, WA vs $1,340 in Sao Carlos, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,760 per month in Auburn, WA vs $1,887 in Sao Carlos, rent included.

Auburn, WA costs about 232% more than Sao Carlos, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Auburn, WA sits 97% above the global median, while Sao Carlos is 41% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Auburn, WA
Sao Carlos
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.83 $17.83
$4.43 R$22.53
302.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$57.7 $57.7
$31.87 R$162
81.02%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.19 $10.19
$7.02 R$35.73
45.16%
Cappuccino
$4.64 $4.64
$1.82 R$9.25
154.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.57 $2.57
$1.10 R$5.60
133.64%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94 $1.94
$0.69 R$3.51
181.16%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.69 $4.69
$1.46 R$7.44
221.23%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.97 $3.97
$3.02 R$15.38
31.46%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Auburn, WA
Sao Carlos
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.94 $0.94
$1.13 R$5.76
-16.81%
White Bread (500g)
$2.55 $2.55
$1.54 R$7.84
65.58%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.84 $3.84
$2.54 R$12.92
51.18%
Eggs
$3.06 $3.06
$2.32 R$11.80
31.90%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.95 $8.95
$9.50 R$48.39
-5.79%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$13.34 $13.34
$4.14 R$21.09
222.22%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.82 $16.82
$7.75 R$39.46
117.03%
Apples (1kg)
$4.23 $4.23
$2.41 R$12.26
75.52%
Banana (1kg)
$1.45 $1.45
$1.45 R$7.38
-
Oranges (1kg)
$3.70 $3.70
$1.48 R$7.51
150.00%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.74 $3.74
$1.99 R$10.13
87.94%
Potato (1kg)
$2.13 $2.13
$1.56 R$7.95
36.54%
Onion (1kg)
$2.07 $2.07
$1.28 R$6.50
61.72%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.98 $1.98
$0.94 R$4.81
110.64%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.74 $1.74
$0.78 R$3.98
123.08%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.68 $9.68
$2.13 R$10.86
354.46%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.06 $15.06
$8.09 R$41.18
86.16%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.67 $1.67
$1.30 R$6.64
28.46%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01 $3.01
$2.44 R$12.40
23.36%
🚌 Getting Around
Auburn, WA
Sao Carlos
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.01 $2.01
$0.87 R$4.44
131.03%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$21.64 R$110
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.44 $3.44
$1.34 R$6.81
156.72%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.84 $1.84
$0.91 R$4.61
102.20%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$39.32 $39.32
$3.34 R$16.99
1077.25%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.05 $1.05
$1.04 R$5.31
0.96%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.9K $27.9K
$28.6K R$145.4K
-2.26%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.6K $25.6K
$28.8K R$146.7K
-11.00%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Auburn, WA
Sao Carlos
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$271 $271
$71.3 R$363
280.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$39.26 $39.26
$14.60 R$74.3
168.90%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$75.6 $75.6
$18.22 R$92.8
314.98%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Auburn, WA
Sao Carlos
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.42 $43.42
$20.61 R$105
110.67%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$40.07 R$204
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.95 $12.95
$4.30 R$21.90
201.16%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Auburn, WA
Sao Carlos
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,299 $1,299
$312 R$1,588
316.48%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.8K $23.8K
$2,734 R$13.9K
770.03%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Auburn, WA
Sao Carlos
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.82 $46.82
$46.91 R$239
-0.19%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.1 $52.1
$36.70 R$187
41.96%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.4 $79.4
$104 R$528
-23.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.0 $80.0
$91.3 R$465
-12.35%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Auburn, WA
Sao Carlos
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,613 $1,613
$219 R$1,113
637.98%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,400 $1,400
$223 R$1,137
526.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,093 $3,093
$435 R$2,214
611.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,257 $2,257
$482 R$2,452
368.70%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$705 R$3,589
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$844 R$4,296
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Auburn, WA
Sao Carlos
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,917 $6,917
$672 R$3,421
929.50%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.55
10.67
-38.61%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Auburn, WA: July 14, 2026

Last update for Sao Carlos: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,613 in Auburn, WA versus $219 in Sao Carlos. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 930% higher in Auburn, WA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $58.0 in Auburn, WA versus $32.00 in Sao Carlos. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $354 vs $203 – making Sao Carlos the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Auburn, WA vs Sao Carlos: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Auburn, WA or Sao Carlos?
Auburn, WA costs about 232% more than Sao Carlos, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Auburn, WA and in Sao Carlos?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,956 per month in Auburn, WA and $1,191 in Sao Carlos. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Auburn, WA or Sao Carlos?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Sao Carlos, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Auburn, WA compared to Sao Carlos?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,638 in Auburn, WA and $794 in Sao Carlos. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do childcare costs compare in Auburn, WA and in Sao Carlos?
Kindergarten costs $1,299 per month in Auburn, WA and $312 in Sao Carlos. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Auburn, WA or in Sao Carlos?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Sao Carlos, where all-in costs run around $794, than in Auburn, WA at $2,638. In Sao Carlos it covers expenses comfortably, while in Auburn, WA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Sao Carlos – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Auburn, WA compared to Sao Carlos?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Auburn, WA or to Sao Carlos?
If budget matters most, go with Sao Carlos. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Auburn, WA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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