Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Caxias do Sul and Brasilia

For one person, living is cheaper in Caxias do Sul: $817 a month against $1,008 in Brasilia, rent and utilities included – about $2,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Caxias do Sul
🇧🇷 Brazil
$817
/mo nomad
Brasilia
🇧🇷 Brazil
$1,008
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Caxias do Sul and in Brasilia

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Caxias do Sul and in Brasilia actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $817 in Caxias do Sul versus $1,008 in Brasilia.

  • Caxias do Sul $817
  • Brasilia $1,008

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,379 in Caxias do Sul versus $1,618 in Brasilia.

  • Caxias do Sul $1,379
  • Brasilia $1,618

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,941 in Caxias do Sul versus $2,228 in Brasilia.

  • Caxias do Sul $1,941
  • Brasilia $2,228

Living in Caxias do Sul costs roughly 19% less than in Brasilia, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Caxias do Sul 39% lower, Brasilia 25% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Caxias do Sul
Brasilia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.97 R$35.32
$9.23 R$46.81
-24.49%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.56 R$195
$39.99 R$203
-3.58%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.99 R$35.43
$8.44 R$42.79
-17.18%
Cappuccino
$1.94 R$9.82
$2.62 R$13.29
-25.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.42 R$7.18
$1.52 R$7.70
-6.58%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10 R$5.58
$0.91 R$4.63
20.88%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.25 R$11.42
$2.43 R$12.30
-7.41%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97 R$15.07
$3.99 R$20.23
-25.56%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Caxias do Sul
Brasilia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.89 R$4.51
$1.10 R$5.57
-19.09%
White Bread (500g)
$1.66 R$8.40
$2.07 R$10.47
-19.81%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.14 R$5.77
$1.36 R$6.90
-16.18%
Eggs
$2.00 R$10.12
$2.46 R$12.47
-18.70%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.22 R$51.8
$12.06 R$61.1
-15.26%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.88 R$24.76
$4.00 R$20.29
22.00%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.20 R$51.7
$9.09 R$46.06
12.21%
Apples (1kg)
$1.56 R$7.93
$2.43 R$12.33
-35.80%
Banana (1kg)
$1.09 R$5.55
$1.53 R$7.76
-28.76%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.58 R$2.95
$1.33 R$6.73
-56.39%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.66 R$8.42
$1.73 R$8.76
-4.05%
Potato (1kg)
$0.98 R$4.96
$1.17 R$5.95
-16.24%
Onion (1kg)
$0.67 R$3.41
$1.04 R$5.28
-35.58%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.79 R$3.99
$0.83 R$4.20
-4.82%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.73 R$3.71
$0.99 R$5.03
-26.26%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.55 R$12.91
$2.43 R$12.34
4.94%
Wine (Bottle)
$3.96 R$20.09
$8.26 R$41.86
-52.06%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.12 R$5.67
$1.28 R$6.50
-12.50%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24 R$11.35
$2.48 R$12.58
-9.68%
🚌 Getting Around
Caxias do Sul
Brasilia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.40 R$7.11
$1.03 R$5.23
35.92%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$43.70 R$222
$36.05 R$183
21.22%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.27 R$6.46
$1.05 R$5.32
20.95%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.81 R$4.12
$0.91 R$4.63
-10.99%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.08 R$40.94
$6.31 R$31.99
28.05%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.30 R$6.60
$1.28 R$6.51
1.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.7K R$120.4K
$24.2K R$122.5K
-1.69%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.5K R$169.7K
$33.3K R$169.0K
0.46%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Caxias do Sul
Brasilia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$71.6 R$363
$98.4 R$499
-27.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.57 R$63.7
$12.88 R$65.3
-2.41%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.36 R$113
$22.35 R$113
0.04%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Caxias do Sul
Brasilia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$26.54 R$135
$34.14 R$173
-22.26%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$59.0 R$299
$28.34 R$144
108.26%
Cinema Ticket
$7.48 R$37.94
$7.78 R$39.45
-3.86%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Caxias do Sul
Brasilia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$406 R$2,056
$834 R$4,230
-51.40%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$24.2K R$122.7K
$17.3K R$87.9K
39.61%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Caxias do Sul
Brasilia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.4 R$255
$56.8 R$288
-11.34%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.75 R$186
$45.40 R$230
-19.05%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$101 R$512
$85.5 R$433
18.07%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$79.6 R$404
$90.5 R$459
-12.05%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Caxias do Sul
Brasilia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$272 R$1,378
$507 R$2,572
-46.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$184 R$932
$279 R$1,412
-34.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$701 R$3,554
$1,123 R$5,693
-37.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$429 R$2,173
$568 R$2,881
-24.57%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,769 R$8,967
$2,518 R$12.8K
-29.73%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,226 R$6,217
$1,744 R$8,840
-29.66%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Caxias do Sul
Brasilia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$565 R$2,862
$841 R$4,263
-32.85%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.5
12.12
-5.12%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Caxias do Sul: October 12, 2026

Last update for Brasilia: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Caxias do Sul
$184
Brasilia
$279 51.5% $95
Groceries & Markets
Caxias do Sul
$183
Brasilia
$214 17.2% $31
Eating Out
Caxias do Sul
$127
Brasilia
$160 26.2% $33
Clothing & Footwear
Caxias do Sul
$120
Brasilia
$125 3.9% $4.8
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Caxias do Sul
$106
Brasilia
$134 25.5% $27
Getting Around
Caxias do Sul
$55
Brasilia
$46 16.2% $8.9
Sport & Entertainment
Caxias do Sul
$42
Brasilia
$50 19.7% $8.2

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $272 in Caxias do Sul and $507 in Brasilia. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Brasilia pays 49% 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 Caxias do Sul vs $40.00 in Brasilia for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $183 vs $214 per month, with Caxias do Sul cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇧🇷 Caxias do Sul
🇧🇷 Brasilia
🕒 Local time
12:22 12:22 PM
12:22 12:22 PM
Same time as Caxias do Sul
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
463,501
2,817,381 Capital
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to BRL – Brazilian Real Converter

Brazilian Real exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 5.07 BRL (1 BRL = 0.197 USD). 1 EUR = 5.7 BRL (1 BRL = 0.175 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Caxias do Sul Brasilia 1,530 km ≈ 2 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Caxias do Sul
  • Brasilia

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
Caxias do Sul vs Brasilia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Caxias do Sul and in Brasilia?
Caxias do Sul and Brasilia differ by about 23% in total monthly costs ($817 vs $1,008 including rent). Caxias do Sul is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 49% lower in Brasilia. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Caxias do Sul and in Brasilia?
Rent for a central apartment: $272 in Caxias do Sul versus $507 in Brasilia. 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 Caxias do Sul – a meal for two runs $39.00 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: Caxias do Sul or Brasilia?
All in, you'll spend $817 per month in Caxias do Sul versus $1,008 in Brasilia – a 23% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $817 in Caxias do Sul versus $1,008 in Brasilia, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Caxias do Sul but tight or insufficient in Brasilia. The gap between the two cities makes Caxias do Sul the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Caxias do Sul and Brasilia?
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: Caxias do Sul or Brasilia?
Expats usually find Caxias do Sul gentler on the wallet – expenses run 23% less than in Brasilia. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Caxias do Sul vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?