Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Sao Joao da Boa Vista

For one person, living is cheaper in Sao Joao da Boa Vista: $823 a month against $4,950 in New York, NY, rent and utilities included – about $49,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

New York, NY
🇺🇸 United States
$4,950
/mo nomad
Sao Joao da Boa Vista
🇧🇷 Brazil
$823
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in New York, NY and in Sao Joao da Boa Vista

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in New York, NY and in Sao Joao da Boa Vista actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $4,950 per month in New York, NY vs $823 in Sao Joao da Boa Vista, rent included.

  • New York, NY $4,950
  • Sao Joao da Boa Vista $823

A couple spends around $7,265 per month in New York, NY vs $1,320 in Sao Joao da Boa Vista, rent included.

  • New York, NY $7,265
  • Sao Joao da Boa Vista $1,320

A family of three spends $9,581 per month in New York, NY vs $1,818 in Sao Joao da Boa Vista, rent included.

  • New York, NY $9,581
  • Sao Joao da Boa Vista $1,818

New York, NY costs about 502% more than Sao Joao da Boa Vista, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

New York, NY sits 267% above the global median, while Sao Joao da Boa Vista is 39% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
New York, NY
Sao Joao da Boa Vista
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$24.65 $24.65
$5.62 R$28.22
338.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$122 $122
$23.03 R$116
427.75%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.91 $13.91
$7.07 R$35.45
96.75%
Cappuccino
$6.59 $6.59
$2.05 R$10.29
221.46%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.84 $3.84
$1.17 R$5.89
228.21%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87 $2.87
$0.92 R$4.62
211.96%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.79 $7.79
$1.98 R$9.94
293.43%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.85 $9.85
$2.06 R$10.32
378.16%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
New York, NY
Sao Joao da Boa Vista
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.38 $1.38
$1.07 R$5.37
28.97%
White Bread (500g)
$4.68 $4.68
$1.64 R$8.23
185.37%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$7.54 $7.54
$0.98 R$4.90
669.39%
Eggs
$5.93 $5.93
$2.37 R$11.90
150.21%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$18.83 $18.83
$10.01 R$50.2
88.11%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$17.36 $17.36
$5.00 R$25.09
247.20%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$18.51 $18.51
$10.07 R$50.5
83.81%
Apples (1kg)
$6.74 $6.74
$1.95 R$9.80
245.64%
Banana (1kg)
$2.09 $2.09
$1.17 R$5.88
78.63%
Oranges (1kg)
$6.07 $6.07
$0.97 R$4.89
525.77%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.74 $6.74
$1.56 R$7.85
332.05%
Potato (1kg)
$4.05 $4.05
$0.83 R$4.15
387.95%
Onion (1kg)
$4.37 $4.37
$0.81 R$4.09
439.51%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.89 $2.89
$0.78 R$3.90
270.51%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.60 $2.60
$0.77 R$3.87
237.66%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$18.72 $18.72
$2.35 R$11.80
696.60%
Wine (Bottle)
$20.06 $20.06
$6.09 R$30.55
229.39%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.25 $3.25
$1.18 R$5.90
175.42%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.73 $3.73
$1.98 R$9.93
88.38%
🚌 Getting Around
New York, NY
Sao Joao da Boa Vista
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.06 $3.06
$0.87 R$4.38
251.72%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$140 $140
$44.48 R$223
215.83%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.04 $3.04
$1.57 R$7.89
93.63%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.15 $2.15
$1.57 R$7.87
36.94%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$41.82 $41.82
$8.19 R$41.10
410.62%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.12 $1.12
$1.07 R$5.35
4.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.5K $35.5K
$19.8K R$99.3K
79.18%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.0K $26.0K
$33.3K R$166.9K
-21.74%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
New York, NY
Sao Joao da Boa Vista
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$219 $219
$95.3 R$478
129.79%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$73.2 $73.2
$9.88 R$49.55
640.79%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.0 $72.0
$19.70 R$98.8
265.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
New York, NY
Sao Joao da Boa Vista
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$123 $123
$28.59 R$143
329.14%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$67.7 $67.7
$31.76 R$159
113.07%
Cinema Ticket
$22.85 $22.85
$5.49 R$27.56
316.21%
🧸 Childcare & Education
New York, NY
Sao Joao da Boa Vista
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$3,333 $3,333
$280 R$1,403
1091.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$60.0K $60.0K
$10.3K R$51.8K
481.24%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
New York, NY
Sao Joao da Boa Vista
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.2 $75.2
$54.6 R$274
37.84%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.4 $52.4
$37.79 R$190
38.63%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$122 $122
$51.3 R$258
137.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$133 $133
$60.7 R$304
119.47%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
New York, NY
Sao Joao da Boa Vista
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,389 $4,389
$349 R$1,753
1156.09%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,130 $3,130
$203 R$1,018
1443.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$8,918 $8,918
$678 R$3,402
1215.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$5,354 $5,354
$465 R$2,333
1051.18%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$19.4K $19.4K
$1,581 R$7,931
1127.45%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,806 $6,806
$1,031 R$5,175
559.89%
💵 Salaries & Financials
New York, NY
Sao Joao da Boa Vista
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,343 $5,343
$659 R$3,307
710.59%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.82
12.79
-46.68%

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

Last update for New York, NY: October 13, 2026

Last update for Sao Joao da Boa Vista: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
New York, NY
$3.1K
Sao Joao da Boa Vista
$203 93.5% $2.9K
Groceries & Markets
New York, NY
$545
Sao Joao da Boa Vista
$193 64.6% $352
Eating Out
New York, NY
$404
Sao Joao da Boa Vista
$113 71.9% $290
Monthly Utilities & Internet
New York, NY
$364
Sao Joao da Boa Vista
$125 65.7% $239
Clothing & Footwear
New York, NY
$172
Sao Joao da Boa Vista
$92 46.6% $80
Sport & Entertainment
New York, NY
$168
Sao Joao da Boa Vista
$40 76.5% $129
Getting Around
New York, NY
$167
Sao Joao da Boa Vista
$57 65.5% $109

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $4,389 in New York, NY versus $349 in Sao Joao da Boa Vista. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 711% higher in New York, NY, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $122 in New York, NY versus $23.00 in Sao Joao da Boa Vista. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $545 vs $193 – making Sao Joao da Boa Vista the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 New York, NY
🇧🇷 Sao Joao da Boa Vista
🕒 Local time
18:08 6:08 PM
19:08 7:08 PM
1 h ahead of New York, NY
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
8,804,190
92,547
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

BRL, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 14, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.893 EUR).

Brazilian Real exchange rates as of October 14, 2026: 1 USD = 5.02 BRL (1 BRL = 0.199 USD). 1 EUR = 5.62 BRL (1 BRL = 0.178 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • New York, NY Sao Joao da Boa Vista 7,520 km ≈ 10 h nonstop flight
From you
  • New York, NY
  • Sao Joao da Boa Vista

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
New York, NY vs Sao Joao da Boa Vista: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, New York, NY or Sao Joao da Boa Vista?
New York, NY costs about 502% more than Sao Joao da Boa Vista, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in New York, NY and in Sao Joao da Boa Vista?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $7,424 per month in New York, NY and $1,234 in Sao Joao da Boa Vista. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, New York, NY or Sao Joao da Boa Vista?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Sao Joao da Boa Vista, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in New York, NY and in Sao Joao da Boa Vista?
Kindergarten costs $3,333 per month in New York, NY and $280 in Sao Joao da Boa Vista. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in New York, NY or in Sao Joao da Boa Vista?
Groceries cost about 183% more in New York, NY, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,500/month in New York, NY or in Sao Joao da Boa Vista?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Sao Joao da Boa Vista, where all-in costs run around $823, than in New York, NY at $4,950. In Sao Joao da Boa Vista it covers expenses comfortably, while in New York, NY it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, New York, NY or Sao Joao da Boa Vista?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Sao Joao da Boa Vista costs $823 versus $4,950 in New York, NY. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to New York, NY or to Sao Joao da Boa Vista?
If budget matters most, go with Sao Joao da Boa Vista. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, New York, NY makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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