😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $880 in Brasilia versus $756 in Foz do Iguaçu.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,446 in Brasilia versus $1,146 in Foz do Iguaçu.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,011 in Brasilia versus $1,535 in Foz do Iguaçu.
😐Living in Brasilia is roughly 16% more expensive than Foz do Iguaçu, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Brasilia34% lower, Foz do Iguaçu44% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Brasilia
Foz do Iguaçu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.19R$35.81
$5.36R$26.71
34.14%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.72R$198
$36.29R$181
9.45%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.24R$31.07
$6.35R$31.64
-1.73%
Cappuccino
$1.88R$9.35
$1.48R$7.37
27.03%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.16R$5.80
$1.15R$5.73
0.87%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87R$4.36
$0.35R$1.73
148.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.82R$9.08
$1.11R$5.51
63.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.28R$16.35
$2.78R$13.83
17.99%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Brasilia
Foz do Iguaçu
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.93R$4.63
$0.78R$3.89
19.23%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62R$8.07
$1.31R$6.52
23.66%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.41R$7.01
$1.52R$7.56
-7.24%
Eggs
$2.10R$10.45
$2.42R$12.07
-13.22%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.29R$46.27
$7.51R$37.39
23.70%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.31R$16.48
$3.58R$17.85
-7.54%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.85R$34.12
$7.61R$37.91
-9.99%
Apples(1kg)
$2.00R$9.96
$1.96R$9.74
2.04%
Banana(1kg)
$1.34R$6.69
$1.11R$5.53
20.72%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.22R$6.05
$0.91R$4.54
34.07%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.67R$8.33
$1.06R$5.26
57.55%
Potato(1kg)
$1.23R$6.11
$0.86R$4.27
43.02%
Onion(1kg)
$1.30R$6.48
$1.02R$5.10
27.45%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.74R$3.70
$0.78R$3.87
-5.13%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.61R$3.06
$0.80R$3.99
-23.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.18R$10.85
$2.66R$13.22
-18.05%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.10R$50.3
$8.06R$40.15
25.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.11R$5.54
$1.70R$8.46
-34.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.35R$11.72
$2.72R$13.53
-13.60%
🚌 Getting Around
Brasilia
Foz do Iguaçu
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.03R$5.11
$0.89R$4.42
15.73%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$43.64R$217
$38.04R$189
14.72%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.94R$4.70
$1.07R$5.31
-12.15%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.79R$3.93
$0.76R$3.80
3.95%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.82R$28.97
$6.28R$31.29
-7.32%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14R$5.66
$0.93R$4.66
22.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.4KR$126.4K
$20.9KR$104.2K
21.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.2KR$140.6K
$27.6KR$137.7K
2.13%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Brasilia
Foz do Iguaçu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.9R$348
$62.6R$312
11.57%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.04R$64.9
$17.44R$86.8
-25.23%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.00R$99.6
$18.42R$91.7
8.58%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Brasilia
Foz do Iguaçu
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$24.95R$124
$17.96R$89.5
38.92%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.77R$108
$21.35R$106
1.97%
Cinema Ticket
$7.00R$34.84
$8.29R$41.27
-15.56%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Brasilia
Foz do Iguaçu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$488R$2,430
$220R$1,094
122.19%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.0KR$74.5K
$6,532R$32.5K
128.92%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Brasilia
Foz do Iguaçu
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.1R$289
$41.97R$209
38.31%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.98R$209
$16.01R$79.7
162.21%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$69.1R$344
$44.96R$224
53.69%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$64.0R$319
$35.33R$176
81.26%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Brasilia
Foz do Iguaçu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$402R$2,003
$295R$1,470
36.23%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$263R$1,309
$234R$1,163
12.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$978R$4,871
$543R$2,702
80.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$564R$2,808
$356R$1,772
58.41%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,751R$13.7K
$1,299R$6,469
111.76%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,816R$9,042
$927R$4,616
95.89%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Brasilia
Foz do Iguaçu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$762R$3,794
$406R$2,021
87.72%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.87
10.92
8.70%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Brasilia: April 26, 2026
Last update for Foz do Iguaçu: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $402 in Brasilia and $295 in Foz do Iguaçu. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Brasilia pays 88% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $40.00 in Brasilia vs $36.00 in Foz do Iguaçu for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $183 vs $173 per month, with Foz do Iguaçu cheaper across the board.
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
Brasilia vs Foz do Iguaçu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Brasilia and Foz do Iguaçu?
Brasilia and Foz do Iguaçu differ by about 16% in total monthly costs ($880 vs $756 including rent). Foz do Iguaçu is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Brasilia or Foz do Iguaçu?
Brasilia pays 88% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Brasilia and Foz do Iguaçu?
Rent for a central apartment: $402 in Brasilia versus $295 in Foz do Iguaçu. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Foz do Iguaçu – a meal for two runs $36.00 versus $40.00 in Brasilia. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Brasilia or Foz do Iguaçu?
All in, you'll spend $880 per month in Brasilia versus $756 in Foz do Iguaçu – a 16% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How far does $1,200 go in Brasilia vs Foz do Iguaçu?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Foz do Iguaçu gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
How does quality of life compare between Brasilia and Foz do Iguaçu?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Brasilia or Foz do Iguaçu?
Expats usually find Foz do Iguaçu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 16% less than in Brasilia. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.