😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $862 in Brasilia versus $822 in Ubatuba.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,428 in Brasilia versus $1,316 in Ubatuba.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,993 in Brasilia versus $1,809 in Ubatuba.
😐Living in Brasilia is roughly 5% more expensive than Ubatuba, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Brasilia36% lower, Ubatuba39% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Brasilia
Ubatuba
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.02R$35.12
$6.81R$34.06
3.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.86R$194
$26.14R$131
48.66%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.32R$31.64
$4.37R$21.85
44.62%
Cappuccino
$1.96R$9.80
$1.34R$6.69
46.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.18R$5.89
$1.29R$6.43
-8.53%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.86R$4.30
$0.81R$4.07
6.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.85R$9.28
$1.83R$9.17
1.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18R$15.89
$2.72R$13.60
16.91%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Brasilia
Ubatuba
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.99R$4.98
$1.02R$5.12
-2.94%
White Bread(500g)
$1.60R$7.99
$1.58R$7.89
1.27%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.41R$7.06
$1.17R$5.86
20.51%
Eggs
$2.04R$10.19
$2.36R$11.81
-13.56%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.45R$47.31
$2.77R$13.87
241.16%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.40R$17.01
$3.70R$18.50
-8.11%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.04R$35.21
$7.04R$35.22
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.96R$9.82
$1.48R$7.38
32.43%
Banana(1kg)
$1.40R$7.02
$1.06R$5.29
32.08%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.20R$6.02
$1.06R$5.33
13.21%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.66R$8.29
$1.63R$8.16
1.84%
Potato(1kg)
$1.24R$6.20
$1.11R$5.55
11.71%
Onion(1kg)
$1.31R$6.53
$1.10R$5.50
19.09%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.81R$4.03
$0.86R$4.32
-5.81%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63R$3.15
$0.53R$2.64
18.87%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.13R$10.66
$1.78R$8.89
19.66%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.02R$45.16
$8.26R$41.34
9.20%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.10R$5.53
$1.36R$6.80
-19.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.39R$11.95
$1.97R$9.88
21.32%
🚌 Getting Around
Brasilia
Ubatuba
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.03R$5.15
$0.92R$4.62
11.96%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$44.41R$222
$38.43R$192
15.56%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.94R$4.72
$1.11R$5.56
-15.32%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.81R$4.03
$0.63R$3.14
28.57%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.57R$27.88
$7.60R$38.02
-26.71%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.12R$5.61
$1.07R$5.37
4.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.0KR$125.2K
$22.6KR$113.2K
10.54%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.1KR$145.7K
$28.1KR$140.8K
3.50%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Brasilia
Ubatuba
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$72.2R$361
$52.1R$261
38.69%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.08R$65.5
$8.07R$40.38
62.08%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.40R$102
$18.26R$91.4
11.72%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Brasilia
Ubatuba
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$24.97R$125
$22.39R$112
11.52%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.29R$107
$21.20R$106
0.42%
Cinema Ticket
$7.08R$35.42
$7.35R$36.76
-3.67%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Brasilia
Ubatuba
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$488R$2,444
$321R$1,608
52.03%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.0KR$75.0K
$8,688R$43.5K
72.54%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Brasilia
Ubatuba
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.3R$292
$55.8R$279
4.46%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.97R$210
$57.3R$287
-26.81%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$69.8R$349
$75.0R$376
-7.01%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$65.2R$327
$75.8R$379
-13.87%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Brasilia
Ubatuba
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$408R$2,040
$356R$1,784
14.37%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$260R$1,302
$272R$1,359
-4.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$949R$4,747
$708R$3,543
34.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$562R$2,811
$540R$2,704
3.97%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,540R$12.7K
$1,759R$8,800
44.46%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,714R$8,576
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Brasilia
Ubatuba
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$846R$4,235
$375R$1,877
125.64%
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 Ubatuba: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $408 in Brasilia and $356 in Ubatuba. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Brasilia pays 126% 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 $26.00 in Ubatuba for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $183 vs $157 per month, with Ubatuba 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 Ubatuba: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Brasilia and Ubatuba?
Brasilia and Ubatuba differ by about 5% in total monthly costs ($862 vs $822 including rent). Ubatuba is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Brasilia or Ubatuba?
Brasilia pays 126% 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 Ubatuba?
Rent for a central apartment: $408 in Brasilia versus $356 in Ubatuba. 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 Ubatuba – a meal for two runs $26.00 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 Ubatuba?
All in, you'll spend $862 per month in Brasilia versus $822 in Ubatuba – a 5% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How far does $1,200 go in Brasilia vs Ubatuba?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Ubatuba 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 Ubatuba?
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 Ubatuba?
Expats usually find Ubatuba gentler on the wallet – expenses run 5% less than in Brasilia. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.