🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $771 in Rondonópolis versus $948 in Rio de Janeiro.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,245 in Rondonópolis versus $1,487 in Rio de Janeiro.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,719 in Rondonópolis versus $2,026 in Rio de Janeiro.
🙂Living in Rondonópolis costs roughly 19% less than in Rio de Janeiro, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Rondonópolis42% lower, Rio de Janeiro29% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rondonópolis
Rio de Janeiro
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.50R$27.34
$7.03R$34.96
-21.76%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$27.38R$136
$35.46R$176
-22.79%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.45R$32.04
$6.19R$30.78
4.20%
Cappuccino
$1.78R$8.86
$2.00R$9.92
-11.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07R$5.32
$1.29R$6.41
-17.05%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.65R$3.24
$0.90R$4.46
-27.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.83R$9.08
$1.76R$8.75
3.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.77R$13.76
$2.63R$13.09
5.32%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rondonópolis
Rio de Janeiro
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.99R$4.93
$1.13R$5.62
-12.39%
White Bread(500g)
$1.44R$7.16
$1.69R$8.40
-14.79%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18R$5.88
$1.42R$7.04
-16.90%
Eggs
$2.01R$9.97
$1.92R$9.55
4.69%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.44R$41.94
$7.79R$38.73
8.34%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.72R$18.51
$3.63R$18.05
2.48%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.30R$36.30
$7.99R$39.72
-8.64%
Apples(1kg)
$2.06R$10.24
$2.33R$11.60
-11.59%
Banana(1kg)
$1.31R$6.51
$1.60R$7.96
-18.13%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.19R$5.90
$1.46R$7.25
-18.49%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.50R$7.47
$1.57R$7.80
-4.46%
Potato(1kg)
$1.16R$5.74
$1.25R$6.19
-7.20%
Onion(1kg)
$1.10R$5.49
$1.16R$5.76
-5.17%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.74R$3.66
$0.69R$3.44
7.25%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.62R$3.08
$0.62R$3.07
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.19R$10.88
$1.97R$9.77
11.17%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.09R$40.21
$7.90R$39.28
2.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.26R$6.28
$1.27R$6.33
-0.79%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05R$10.20
$2.12R$10.52
-3.30%
🚌 Getting Around
Rondonópolis
Rio de Janeiro
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.92R$4.58
$1.28R$6.38
-28.13%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$38.55R$192
$38.38R$191
0.44%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.07R$5.31
$1.11R$5.54
-3.60%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.76R$3.76
$0.71R$3.54
7.04%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.33R$31.47
$7.79R$38.70
-18.74%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.08R$5.35
$1.06R$5.29
1.89%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.6KR$102.3K
$20.9KR$104.0K
-1.61%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.2KR$135.0K
$27.9KR$138.6K
-2.58%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rondonópolis
Rio de Janeiro
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$61.1R$304
$103R$513
-40.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.48R$67.0
$12.22R$60.7
10.31%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.52R$92.0
$18.82R$93.5
-1.59%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rondonópolis
Rio de Janeiro
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$22.25R$111
$25.63R$127
-13.19%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.96R$109
$24.19R$120
-9.22%
Cinema Ticket
$6.37R$31.65
$6.38R$31.72
-0.16%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rondonópolis
Rio de Janeiro
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$269R$1,338
$551R$2,738
-51.16%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,481R$32.2K
$11.7KR$58.1K
-44.55%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rondonópolis
Rio de Janeiro
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.90R$248
$45.89R$228
8.74%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.15R$210
$41.16R$205
2.41%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$76.7R$381
$76.5R$380
0.33%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$64.8R$322
$60.8R$302
6.73%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rondonópolis
Rio de Janeiro
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$320R$1,589
$433R$2,154
-26.23%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$218R$1,082
$336R$1,669
-35.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$572R$2,841
$853R$4,237
-32.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$433R$2,152
$589R$2,926
-26.45%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,888R$9,382
$2,926R$14.5K
-35.48%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,248R$6,204
$1,342R$6,668
-6.97%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rondonópolis
Rio de Janeiro
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$644R$3,203
$545R$2,708
18.30%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.92
11.33
-3.62%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Rondonópolis: April 21, 2026
Last update for Rio de Janeiro: April 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $320 in Rondonópolis and $433 in Rio de Janeiro. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Rondonópolis pays 18% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $27 in Rondonópolis vs $35 in Rio de Janeiro for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $176 vs $185 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
Rondonópolis vs Rio de Janeiro: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Rondonópolis and Rio de Janeiro?
Rondonópolis and Rio de Janeiro differ by about 23% in total monthly costs ($771 vs $948 including rent). Rondonópolis is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Rondonópolis or Rio de Janeiro?
Rondonópolis pays 18% 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 do apartment prices compare in Rondonópolis and Rio de Janeiro?
Rent for a central apartment: $320 in Rondonópolis versus $433 in Rio de Janeiro. 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 $27.00 versus $35.00 in Rio de Janeiro. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Rondonópolis or Rio de Janeiro?
All in, you'll spend $771 per month in Rondonópolis versus $948 in Rio de Janeiro – a 23% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How far does $1,000 go in Rondonópolis vs Rio de Janeiro?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Rondonópolis gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
How does quality of life compare between Rondonópolis and Rio de Janeiro?
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: Rondonópolis or Rio de Janeiro?
Expats usually find Rondonópolis gentler on the wallet – expenses run 23% less than in Rio de Janeiro. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Rondonópolis vs other spots: cost of living compared