😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,217 in Rio de Janeiro versus $892 in Rondonópolis.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,809 in Rio de Janeiro versus $1,373 in Rondonópolis.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,402 in Rio de Janeiro versus $1,854 in Rondonópolis.
🌍Living in Rio de Janeiro is roughly 36% more expensive than in Rondonópolis, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Rio de Janeiro12% lower, Rondonópolis35% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rio de Janeiro
Rondonópolis
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.47R$48.33
$8.84R$45.12
7.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.19R$200
$19.59R$100
100.05%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.53R$43.56
$8.51R$43.44
0.24%
Cappuccino
$2.32R$11.85
$2.22R$11.31
4.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.59R$8.09
$0.95R$4.85
67.37%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05R$5.34
$0.69R$3.53
52.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.27R$11.60
$2.06R$10.50
10.19%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.30R$16.84
$2.84R$14.51
16.20%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rio de Janeiro
Rondonópolis
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.11R$5.67
$1.09R$5.56
1.83%
White Bread(500g)
$2.03R$10.38
$1.68R$8.56
20.83%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.36R$6.93
$1.27R$6.46
7.09%
Eggs
$2.24R$11.44
$2.21R$11.26
1.36%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.42R$53.2
$9.28R$47.40
12.28%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.25R$21.72
$4.24R$21.65
0.24%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.78R$49.91
$8.47R$43.22
15.47%
Apples(1kg)
$2.62R$13.40
$2.14R$10.90
22.43%
Banana(1kg)
$1.82R$9.27
$1.24R$6.33
46.77%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.59R$8.12
$1.15R$5.86
38.26%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.82R$9.31
$1.60R$8.17
13.75%
Potato(1kg)
$1.28R$6.55
$1.23R$6.27
4.07%
Onion(1kg)
$1.02R$5.20
$1.05R$5.36
-2.86%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.70R$3.57
$0.81R$4.14
-13.58%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.67R$3.43
$0.77R$3.94
-12.99%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.93R$14.93
$2.37R$12.10
23.63%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.54R$43.61
$7.98R$40.74
7.02%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.17R$5.95
$1.21R$6.20
-3.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47R$12.59
$2.10R$10.72
17.62%
🚌 Getting Around
Rio de Janeiro
Rondonópolis
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.97R$4.93
$1.02R$5.23
-4.90%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$50.1R$256
$37.44R$191
33.76%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.18R$6.04
$1.36R$6.92
-13.24%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.87R$4.45
$0.85R$4.34
2.35%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.88R$45.32
$8.43R$43.04
5.34%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.26R$6.41
$1.14R$5.81
10.53%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.6KR$120.7K
$22.6KR$115.6K
4.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.9KR$167.9K
$31.4KR$160.2K
4.81%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rio de Janeiro
Rondonópolis
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$136R$694
$71.7R$366
89.64%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.93R$60.9
$12.42R$63.4
-3.95%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$21.66R$111
$25.50R$130
-15.06%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rio de Janeiro
Rondonópolis
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.09R$154
$22.85R$117
31.68%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$29.51R$151
$29.46R$150
0.17%
Cinema Ticket
$7.72R$39.43
$7.20R$36.76
7.22%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rio de Janeiro
Rondonópolis
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$550R$2,808
$263R$1,345
108.80%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.3KR$68.0K
$7,906R$40.4K
68.45%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rio de Janeiro
Rondonópolis
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$40.22R$205
$52.1R$266
-22.74%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.82R$244
$53.5R$273
-10.65%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$72.9R$372
$89.0R$454
-18.12%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$65.1R$332
$79.3R$405
-17.94%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rio de Janeiro
Rondonópolis
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$821R$4,190
$344R$1,755
138.72%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$498R$2,544
$239R$1,219
108.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,285R$6,558
$653R$3,332
96.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$716R$3,658
$454R$2,318
57.79%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,890R$19.9K
$1,634R$8,342
138.04%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,482R$7,564
$1,198R$6,115
23.69%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rio de Janeiro
Rondonópolis
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$649R$3,316
$625R$3,192
3.88%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.93
11.12
7.28%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Rio de Janeiro: September 6, 2026
Last update for Rondonópolis: September 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $821 in Rio de Janeiro and $344 in Rondonópolis. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Rio de Janeiro pays 4% 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 Rio de Janeiro vs $20.00 in Rondonópolis for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $212 vs $191 per month, with Rondonópolis 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
Rio de Janeiro vs Rondonópolis: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Rio de Janeiro and in Rondonópolis?
Rio de Janeiro and Rondonópolis differ by about 36% in total monthly costs ($1,217 vs $892 including rent). Rondonópolis is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Rio de Janeiro or Rondonópolis?
Average pay runs 4% higher in Rio de Janeiro, 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 Rio de Janeiro and in Rondonópolis?
Rent for a central apartment: $821 in Rio de Janeiro versus $344 in Rondonópolis. 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 Rondonópolis – a meal for two runs $20.00 versus $39.00 in Rio de Janeiro. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Rio de Janeiro or Rondonópolis?
All in, you'll spend $1,217 per month in Rio de Janeiro versus $892 in Rondonópolis – a 36% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $892 in Rondonópolis versus $1,217 in Rio de Janeiro, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Rondonópolis but tight or insufficient in Rio de Janeiro. The gap between the two cities makes Rondonópolis the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Rio de Janeiro and Rondonópolis?
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: Rio de Janeiro or Rondonópolis?
Expats usually find Rondonópolis gentler on the wallet – expenses run 36% less than in Rio de Janeiro. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Rio de Janeiro vs other spots: cost of living compared