😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $862 in Brasilia versus $847 in Mogi das Cruzes.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,428 in Brasilia versus $1,257 in Mogi das Cruzes.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,993 in Brasilia versus $1,666 in Mogi das Cruzes.
😐Living in Brasilia is roughly 2% more expensive than Mogi das Cruzes, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Brasilia36% lower, Mogi das Cruzes37% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Brasilia
Mogi das Cruzes
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.02R$35.53
$7.40R$37.48
-5.14%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.86R$197
$22.83R$116
70.21%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.32R$32.01
$5.58R$28.25
13.26%
Cappuccino
$1.96R$9.91
$1.43R$7.22
37.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.18R$5.96
$0.84R$4.24
40.48%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.86R$4.35
$0.78R$3.96
10.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.85R$9.39
$1.84R$9.32
0.54%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18R$16.08
$2.18R$11.05
45.87%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Brasilia
Mogi das Cruzes
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.99R$5.04
$0.87R$4.41
13.79%
White Bread(500g)
$1.60R$8.09
$1.65R$8.37
-3.03%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.41R$7.15
$1.13R$5.74
24.78%
Eggs
$2.04R$10.31
$2.35R$11.92
-13.19%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.45R$47.87
$7.44R$37.65
27.02%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.40R$17.21
$3.18R$16.10
6.92%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.04R$35.63
$8.28R$41.93
-14.98%
Apples(1kg)
$1.96R$9.93
$1.95R$9.89
0.51%
Banana(1kg)
$1.40R$7.11
$1.69R$8.54
-17.16%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.20R$6.09
$1.44R$7.29
-16.67%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.66R$8.39
$1.65R$8.35
0.61%
Potato(1kg)
$1.24R$6.28
$1.46R$7.42
-15.07%
Onion(1kg)
$1.31R$6.61
$1.20R$6.09
9.17%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.81R$4.08
$0.90R$4.55
-10.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63R$3.19
$0.59R$2.98
6.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.13R$10.78
$1.83R$9.27
16.39%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.02R$45.69
$8.23R$41.66
9.60%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.10R$5.59
$1.36R$6.90
-19.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.39R$12.09
$2.01R$10.18
18.91%
🚌 Getting Around
Brasilia
Mogi das Cruzes
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.03R$5.21
$1.03R$5.19
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$44.41R$225
$88.5R$448
-49.83%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.94R$4.77
$0.88R$4.47
6.82%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.81R$4.08
$0.62R$3.14
30.65%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.57R$28.21
$4.39R$22.23
26.88%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.12R$5.68
$1.07R$5.44
4.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.0KR$126.6K
$12.5KR$63.4K
99.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.1KR$147.4K
$14.1KR$71.5K
106.12%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Brasilia
Mogi das Cruzes
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$72.2R$366
$52.0R$263
38.98%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.08R$66.2
$10.13R$51.3
29.12%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.40R$103
$21.93R$111
-6.98%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Brasilia
Mogi das Cruzes
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$24.97R$126
$28.35R$144
-11.92%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.29R$108
$10.84R$54.9
96.40%
Cinema Ticket
$7.08R$35.84
$7.17R$36.31
-1.26%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Brasilia
Mogi das Cruzes
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$488R$2,473
$181R$916
170.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.0KR$75.9K
$8,696R$44.0K
72.38%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Brasilia
Mogi das Cruzes
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.3R$295
$32.13R$163
81.33%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.97R$213
$31.71R$161
32.36%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$69.8R$353
$53.3R$270
30.94%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$65.2R$330
$40.19R$203
62.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Brasilia
Mogi das Cruzes
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$408R$2,064
$336R$1,702
21.29%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$260R$1,318
$245R$1,239
6.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$949R$4,803
$667R$3,380
42.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$562R$2,845
$351R$1,776
60.20%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,540R$12.9K
$1,517R$7,679
67.51%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,714R$8,678
$1,253R$6,342
36.82%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Brasilia
Mogi das Cruzes
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$846R$4,285
$337R$1,707
151.03%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.87
11.17
6.27%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Brasilia: June 1, 2026
Last update for Mogi das Cruzes: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $408 in Brasilia and $336 in Mogi das Cruzes. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Brasilia pays 151% 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 $23.00 in Mogi das Cruzes for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $183 vs $181 per month, with Mogi das Cruzes 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 Mogi das Cruzes: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Brasilia and Mogi das Cruzes?
Brasilia and Mogi das Cruzes differ by about 2% in total monthly costs ($862 vs $847 including rent). Mogi das Cruzes is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Brasilia or Mogi das Cruzes?
Brasilia pays 151% 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 Mogi das Cruzes?
Rent for a central apartment: $408 in Brasilia versus $336 in Mogi das Cruzes. 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 Mogi das Cruzes – a meal for two runs $23.00 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 Mogi das Cruzes?
All in, you'll spend $862 per month in Brasilia versus $847 in Mogi das Cruzes – a 2% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How far does $800 go in Brasilia vs Mogi das Cruzes?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Mogi das Cruzes 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 Mogi das Cruzes?
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 Mogi das Cruzes?
Expats usually find Mogi das Cruzes gentler on the wallet – expenses run 2% less than in Brasilia. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.