For one person, living is cheaper in Brazil: $865 a month against $904 in Mali, rent and utilities included – about $470 less a year. The total is higher in Mali despite lower rent and utilities.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Brazil and in Mali actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
A single person spends $865 per month in Brazil vs $904 in Mali, rent included.
Brazil $865
Mali $904
A couple spends around $1,373 per month in Brazil vs $1,481 in Mali, rent included.
Brazil $1,373
Mali $1,481
A family of three spends $1,880 per month in Brazil vs $2,058 in Mali, rent included.
Brazil $1,880
Mali $2,058
📏
Cost ranges are similar: Brazil spans $569–$1,349, Mali $86–$894. City choice affects budget similarly in either country.
🌍
The cost of living in Brazil is roughly 4% lower than in Mali on average.
📊
Both Brazil and Mali are more affordable than the global median – Brazil 36% lower, Mali 34% lower.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
Brazil
Mali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.55R$35.64
$8.47F CFA 4,958
-22.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.71R$167
$36.49F CFA 21.4K
-15.84%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.45R$40.53
$8.25F CFA 4,831
-9.70%
Cappuccino
$1.91R$10.38
$1.71F CFA 1,003
11.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.15R$6.28
$0.89F CFA 520
29.21%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76R$4.11
$0.71F CFA 416
7.04%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.85R$10.05
$2.34F CFA 1,370
-20.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.86R$15.53
$21.20F CFA 12.4K
-86.51%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Brazil
Mali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.03R$5.61
$1.94F CFA 1,139
-46.91%
White Bread(500g)
$1.57R$8.51
$3.80F CFA 2,226
-58.68%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.24R$6.71
-
-
Eggs
$2.10R$11.44
$6.05F CFA 3,544
-65.29%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.87R$48.21
$17.84F CFA 10.4K
-50.28%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.99R$21.71
$17.36F CFA 10.2K
-77.02%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.76R$42.17
$13.30F CFA 7,787
-41.65%
Apples(1kg)
$2.15R$11.71
$3.11F CFA 1,822
-30.87%
Banana(1kg)
$1.27R$6.91
$1.46F CFA 854
-13.01%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.16R$6.28
$2.90F CFA 1,699
-60.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.53R$8.31
$2.32F CFA 1,357
-34.05%
Potato(1kg)
$1.16R$6.31
$1.67F CFA 976
-30.54%
Onion(1kg)
$1.02R$5.54
$1.58F CFA 924
-35.44%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.74R$4.03
$0.11F CFA 62.7
572.73%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72R$3.90
$2.90F CFA 1,698
-75.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25R$12.26
$1.01F CFA 593
122.77%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.65R$41.59
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.30R$7.09
$1.46F CFA 854
-10.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16R$11.77
$1.30F CFA 763
66.15%
🚌 Getting Around
Brazil
Mali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.94R$5.11
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$44.00R$239
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.23R$6.68
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.96R$5.20
$1.22F CFA 715
-21.31%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.42R$40.34
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.21R$6.60
$1.09F CFA 636
11.01%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.1KR$120.4K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.6KR$171.6K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Brazil
Mali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$77.2R$420
$147F CFA 86.3K
-47.65%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.44R$67.6
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.80R$108
$65.0F CFA 38.1K
-69.55%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Brazil
Mali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$24.36R$132
$70.1F CFA 41.0K
-65.23%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$25.46R$138
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.98R$37.97
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Brazil
Mali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$316R$1,717
$76.9F CFA 45.0K
310.90%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,298R$45.1K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Brazil
Mali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.37R$268
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.73R$249
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$83.4R$454
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$65.6R$357
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Brazil
Mali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$373R$2,028
$172F CFA 100.4K
117.47%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$251R$1,362
$79.5F CFA 46.5K
215.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$719R$3,908
$506F CFA 296.3K
42.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$490R$2,666
$297F CFA 173.6K
65.34%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,795R$9,758
$10.1KF CFA 5.9M
-82.26%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,269R$6,900
$843F CFA 493.8K
50.49%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Brazil
Mali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$496R$2,699
$257F CFA 150.3K
93.42%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.17
0
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CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Brazil: October 25, 2026
Last update for Mali: October 25, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
🏠Accommodation & Living
Brazil
$251 29%
Mali
–
🛒Groceries & Markets
Brazil
$183 21.2%
Mali
–
🍽Eating Out
Brazil
$120 13.9%
Mali
–
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Brazil
$110 12.7%
Mali
–
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Brazil
$109 12.6%
Mali
–
🚌Getting Around
Brazil
$54 6.2%
Mali
–
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Brazil
$38 4.4%
Mali
–
🏠Accommodation & Living
Brazil
$490 26.1%
Mali
–
🛒Groceries & Markets
Brazil
$420 22.3%
Mali
–
🍽Eating Out
Brazil
$392 20.9%
Mali
–
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Brazil
$244 13%
Mali
–
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Brazil
$122 6.5%
Mali
–
🚌Getting Around
Brazil
$109 5.8%
Mali
–
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Brazil
$102 5.4%
Mali
–
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $335 in Brazil vs $176 in Mali. For reference, capital cities sit at $517 in Brasilia and $176 in Bamako.
💰Average salary: $468 in Brazil vs $264 in Mali. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 90% higher in Brazil.
⭐Dining out costs 24% more in Mali.
⭐Salaries are 77% higher in Brazil, and purchasing power comes out stronger in Brazil.
Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.
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
Brazil vs Mali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do Brazil and Mali compare in cost of living?
Brazil is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 4% lower on average.
Is everything cheaper in Brazil?
Not necessarily. Overall, Mali costs about 5% more, but the gap varies by category, and some expenses can be lower in Mali. Compare the categories that matter most for your budget.
How do I choose between living in Brazil and in Mali?
Brazil is the budget-friendly choice for expats. But cost isn’t everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.