😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $848 in Curitiba versus $654 in Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,333 in Curitiba versus $1,036 in Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,818 in Curitiba versus $1,419 in Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP.
😐Living in Curitiba is roughly 30% more expensive than Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Curitiba37% lower, Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP51% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Curitiba
Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.35R$27.09
$3.65R$18.46
46.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.23R$163
$21.74R$110
48.25%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.16R$31.16
$5.80R$29.35
6.21%
Cappuccino
$2.07R$10.46
$1.52R$7.70
36.18%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.13R$5.70
$0.75R$3.79
50.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69R$3.49
$0.36R$1.84
91.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.22R$11.22
$1.42R$7.19
56.34%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.31R$16.73
$2.77R$14.04
19.49%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Curitiba
Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.97R$4.91
$0.92R$4.66
5.43%
White Bread(500g)
$1.48R$7.48
$1.66R$8.42
-10.84%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.14R$5.79
$1.06R$5.34
7.55%
Eggs
$2.05R$10.39
$1.89R$9.54
8.47%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.15R$41.21
$6.45R$32.63
26.36%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.76R$19.01
$3.26R$16.50
15.34%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.54R$38.13
$5.89R$29.80
28.01%
Apples(1kg)
$2.13R$10.79
$2.16R$10.92
-1.39%
Banana(1kg)
$0.93R$4.71
$1.05R$5.31
-11.43%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.96R$4.86
$0.70R$3.54
37.14%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.21R$6.11
$1.66R$8.38
-27.11%
Potato(1kg)
$1.04R$5.24
$1.40R$7.10
-25.71%
Onion(1kg)
$0.87R$4.42
$1.17R$5.90
-25.64%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.59R$3.01
$0.92R$4.64
-35.87%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66R$3.34
$0.62R$3.12
6.45%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.11R$10.66
$1.77R$8.97
19.21%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.92R$40.10
$6.86R$34.70
15.45%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.18R$5.99
$1.04R$5.24
13.46%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15R$10.89
$2.05R$10.39
4.88%
🚌 Getting Around
Curitiba
Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.07R$5.40
$0.77R$3.88
38.96%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$47.33R$239
$27.29R$138
73.43%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.10R$5.58
$0.56R$2.82
96.43%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.69R$3.50
$0.57R$2.89
21.05%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.38R$32.28
$6.32R$31.97
0.95%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.22R$6.20
$1.05R$5.33
16.19%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.7KR$94.7K
$22.1KR$111.7K
-15.18%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2KR$132.6K
$23.4KR$118.4K
11.97%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Curitiba
Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$72.4R$366
$52.0R$263
39.19%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.52R$58.3
$11.89R$60.1
-3.11%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$21.29R$108
$17.36R$87.9
22.64%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Curitiba
Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.34R$128
$19.63R$99.3
29.09%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.61R$84.0
$18.29R$92.5
-9.19%
Cinema Ticket
$6.43R$32.52
$2.83R$14.31
127.21%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Curitiba
Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$286R$1,445
$252R$1,273
13.54%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,389R$32.3K
$7,206R$36.5K
-11.34%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Curitiba
Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.2R$274
$54.2R$274
0.04%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.55R$225
$57.5R$291
-22.55%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$82.9R$419
$75.4R$382
9.88%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$68.5R$347
$40.12R$203
70.74%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Curitiba
Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$354R$1,792
$270R$1,364
31.39%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$246R$1,246
$165R$834
49.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$674R$3,412
$416R$2,105
62.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$495R$2,504
$341R$1,725
45.17%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,354R$11.9K
$2,215R$11.2K
6.31%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,721R$8,710
$839R$4,243
105.29%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Curitiba
Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$656R$3,319
$542R$2,743
20.97%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11
8.23
33.66%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Curitiba: June 1, 2026
Last update for Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $354 in Curitiba and $270 in Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Curitiba pays 21% 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: $32.00 in Curitiba vs $22.00 in Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $170 vs $160 per month, with Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP 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
Curitiba vs Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Curitiba or Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP?
Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP wins on cost – living expenses run 30% lower than in Curitiba. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Curitiba or Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP?
Curitiba pays 21% 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 much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Curitiba vs Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP?
Rent for a central apartment: $354 in Curitiba versus $270 in Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Curitiba vs Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP?
A monthly transit pass in Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP runs roughly 73% less than in Curitiba. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Curitiba and Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP?
Childcare runs $286 in Curitiba versus $252 in Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Can you live on $800/month in Curitiba or Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Curitiba or Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP?
Both work as nomad bases, but Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $654 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP hard to pass up.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Sao Jose do Rio Preto SP gentler on the wallet – expenses run 30% less than in Curitiba. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.