😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $863 in Brasilia versus $759 in Foz do Iguaçu.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,429 in Brasilia versus $1,146 in Foz do Iguaçu.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,995 in Brasilia versus $1,533 in Foz do Iguaçu.
🌍Living in Brasilia is roughly 14% more expensive than in Foz do Iguaçu, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Brasilia35% lower, Foz do Iguaçu43% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Brasilia
Foz do Iguaçu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.42R$37.67
$5.43R$27.57
36.65%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.98R$198
$35.69R$181
9.22%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.14R$31.14
$6.12R$31.08
0.33%
Cappuccino
$1.92R$9.75
$1.47R$7.46
30.61%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.18R$5.97
$1.16R$5.90
1.72%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.83R$4.20
$0.38R$1.91
118.42%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.78R$9.04
$1.10R$5.59
61.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.33R$16.91
$2.73R$13.85
21.98%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Brasilia
Foz do Iguaçu
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.95R$4.83
$0.78R$3.98
21.79%
White Bread(500g)
$1.63R$8.27
$1.35R$6.85
20.74%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.46R$7.41
$1.53R$7.78
-4.58%
Eggs
$2.08R$10.56
$2.47R$12.56
-15.79%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.40R$47.71
$7.18R$36.45
30.92%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.39R$17.20
$3.64R$18.47
-6.87%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.71R$34.05
$7.40R$37.57
-9.32%
Apples(1kg)
$1.93R$9.77
$1.95R$9.90
-1.03%
Banana(1kg)
$1.36R$6.93
$1.10R$5.58
23.64%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.16R$5.88
$0.88R$4.46
31.82%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.67R$8.49
$1.11R$5.63
50.45%
Potato(1kg)
$1.24R$6.31
$0.89R$4.49
39.33%
Onion(1kg)
$1.31R$6.62
$0.95R$4.82
37.89%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.73R$3.73
$0.77R$3.93
-5.19%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.67R$3.40
$0.73R$3.72
-8.22%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.17R$11.03
$2.68R$13.62
-19.03%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.06R$40.91
$7.88R$39.97
2.28%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.10R$5.60
$1.67R$8.47
-34.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28R$11.59
$2.59R$13.12
-11.97%
🚌 Getting Around
Brasilia
Foz do Iguaçu
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.97R$4.93
$0.86R$4.37
12.79%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$43.32R$220
$37.82R$192
14.54%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.95R$4.82
$1.09R$5.54
-12.84%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.79R$4.03
$0.72R$3.63
9.72%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.83R$29.59
$6.55R$33.26
-10.99%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14R$5.78
$0.93R$4.70
22.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.2KR$127.9K
$20.3KR$103.1K
24.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.2KR$148.0K
$27.8KR$140.8K
5.08%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Brasilia
Foz do Iguaçu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$71.8R$364
$63.6R$323
12.78%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.11R$66.5
$17.53R$88.9
-25.21%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.49R$104
$18.24R$92.5
12.34%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Brasilia
Foz do Iguaçu
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$24.96R$127
$17.97R$91.2
38.90%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.52R$109
$22.05R$112
-2.40%
Cinema Ticket
$7.34R$37.27
$7.92R$40.18
-7.32%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Brasilia
Foz do Iguaçu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$485R$2,462
$220R$1,118
120.27%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.2KR$77.1K
$6,374R$32.3K
138.30%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Brasilia
Foz do Iguaçu
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.1R$295
$42.66R$216
36.22%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.02R$213
$16.23R$82.4
158.90%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$67.7R$344
$46.23R$235
46.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$64.3R$326
$35.41R$180
81.45%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Brasilia
Foz do Iguaçu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$400R$2,031
$298R$1,514
34.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$262R$1,330
$234R$1,188
12.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$944R$4,788
$541R$2,744
74.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$557R$2,825
$348R$1,765
60.02%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,466R$12.5K
$1,245R$6,319
97.99%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,727R$8,762
$890R$4,516
94.01%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Brasilia
Foz do Iguaçu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$919R$4,665
$395R$2,006
132.54%
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: July 27, 2026
Last update for Foz do Iguaçu: July 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $400 in Brasilia and $298 in Foz do Iguaçu. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Brasilia pays 133% 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: $39.00 in Brasilia vs $36.00 in Foz do Iguaçu for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $180 vs $170 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 in Foz do Iguaçu?
Brasilia and Foz do Iguaçu differ by about 14% in total monthly costs ($863 vs $759 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?
Average pay runs 133% higher in Brasilia, 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 in Foz do Iguaçu?
Rent for a central apartment: $400 in Brasilia versus $298 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 $39.00 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 $863 per month in Brasilia versus $759 in Foz do Iguaçu – a 14% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How far does $1,200 go in Brasilia compared to 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 14% less than in Brasilia. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.