Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Sao Paulo and Barrington, IL

For one person, living is cheaper in Sao Paulo: $1,222 a month against $2,677 in Barrington, IL, rent and utilities included – about $17,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Sao Paulo
🇧🇷 Brazil
$1,222
/mo nomad
Barrington, IL
🇺🇸 United States
$2,677
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Sao Paulo and in Barrington, IL

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

A single person spends $1,222 per month in Sao Paulo vs $2,677 in Barrington, IL, rent included.

  • Sao Paulo $1,222
  • Barrington, IL $2,677

A couple spends around $2,044 per month in Sao Paulo vs $4,008 in Barrington, IL, rent included.

  • Sao Paulo $2,044
  • Barrington, IL $4,008

A family of three spends $2,867 per month in Sao Paulo vs $5,339 in Barrington, IL, rent included.

  • Sao Paulo $2,867
  • Barrington, IL $5,339

Sao Paulo is about 54% cheaper than Barrington, IL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Sao Paulo sits 10% below the global median, while Barrington, IL is 98% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sao Paulo
Barrington, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.71 R$44.15
$20.21 $20.21
-56.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.61 R$246
$74.5 $74.5
-34.79%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.03 R$45.77
$11.36 $11.36
-20.51%
Cappuccino
$2.55 R$12.94
$5.24 $5.24
-51.34%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35 R$6.83
$2.60 $2.60
-48.08%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.91 R$4.63
$2.05 $2.05
-55.61%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.07 R$15.55
$5.99 $5.99
-48.75%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.38 R$22.21
$7.14 $7.14
-38.66%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sao Paulo
Barrington, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.19 R$6.05
$1.16 $1.16
2.59%
White Bread (500g)
$1.80 R$9.14
$3.79 $3.79
-52.51%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.48 R$7.51
$4.33 $4.33
-65.82%
Eggs
$2.82 R$14.31
$4.27 $4.27
-33.96%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.61 R$63.9
$15.24 $15.24
-17.26%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.40 R$27.36
$11.09 $11.09
-51.31%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.76 R$54.6
$17.23 $17.23
-37.55%
Apples (1kg)
$2.82 R$14.28
$5.76 $5.76
-51.04%
Banana (1kg)
$1.82 R$9.25
$1.98 $1.98
-8.08%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.60 R$8.14
$4.59 $4.59
-65.14%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.03 R$10.28
$6.74 $6.74
-69.88%
Potato (1kg)
$1.46 R$7.40
$2.75 $2.75
-46.91%
Onion (1kg)
$1.25 R$6.35
$2.17 $2.17
-42.40%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.25 R$6.32
$2.43 $2.43
-48.56%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.98 R$4.98
$2.28 $2.28
-57.02%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.00 R$15.18
$10.15 $10.15
-70.44%
Wine (Bottle)
$9.71 R$49.22
$17.22 $17.22
-43.61%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.84 R$9.32
$1.87 $1.87
-1.60%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.52 R$12.80
$3.42 $3.42
-26.32%
🚌 Getting Around
Sao Paulo
Barrington, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.07 R$5.41
$1.97 $1.97
-45.69%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$47.26 R$240
$117 $117
-59.45%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.81 R$9.16
$3.43 $3.43
-47.23%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.01 R$5.14
$1.57 $1.57
-35.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.24 R$51.9
$33.06 $33.06
-69.03%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.29 R$6.52
$1.17 $1.17
10.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.5K R$119.3K
$27.8K $27.8K
-15.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.5K R$174.9K
$26.5K $26.5K
30.03%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sao Paulo
Barrington, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$104 R$527
$230 $230
-54.82%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.60 R$84.1
$48.44 $48.44
-65.73%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.04 R$112
$59.0 $59.0
-62.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sao Paulo
Barrington, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$36.43 R$185
$67.2 $67.2
-45.77%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$47.29 R$240
$15.27 $15.27
209.69%
Cinema Ticket
$9.69 R$49.12
$14.61 $14.61
-33.68%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sao Paulo
Barrington, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$573 R$2,906
$1,481 $1,481
-61.29%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.9K R$85.8K
$27.6K $27.6K
-38.58%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sao Paulo
Barrington, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$66.3 R$336
$52.5 $52.5
26.18%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$61.1 R$310
$41.21 $41.21
48.36%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$98.8 R$501
$89.8 $89.8
10.00%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$91.4 R$463
$112 $112
-18.63%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sao Paulo
Barrington, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$654 R$3,316
$1,604 $1,604
-59.22%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$418 R$2,120
$1,222 $1,222
-65.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,524 R$7,724
$2,526 $2,526
-39.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$992 R$5,028
$2,167 $2,167
-54.23%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,670 R$13.5K
$2,376 $2,376
12.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,019 R$10.2K
$2,187 $2,187
-7.69%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sao Paulo
Barrington, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$900 R$4,563
$5,760 $5,760
-84.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.68
6.57
77.78%

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

Last update for Sao Paulo: October 18, 2026

Last update for Barrington, IL: October 20, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Sao Paulo
$418
Barrington, IL
$1.2K 192% $804
Groceries & Markets
Sao Paulo
$243
Barrington, IL
$430 76.7% $187
Eating Out
Sao Paulo
$161
Barrington, IL
$322 100% $161
Clothing & Footwear
Sao Paulo
$143
Barrington, IL
$133 6.8% $9.8
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sao Paulo
$143
Barrington, IL
$338 137% $195
Getting Around
Sao Paulo
$58
Barrington, IL
$136 132% $77
Sport & Entertainment
Sao Paulo
$56
Barrington, IL
$96 72.7% $41

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $654 in Sao Paulo versus $1,604 in Barrington, IL. 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 540% higher in Barrington, IL, 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 $49.00 in Sao Paulo versus $75.0 in Barrington, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $243 vs $430 – making Sao Paulo the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇧🇷 Sao Paulo
🇺🇸 Barrington, IL
🕒 Local time
01:42 1:42 AM
23:42 11:42 PM
2 h behind Sao Paulo
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
11,451,999
10,772
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to BRL – Brazilian Real Converter

Brazilian Real exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 USD = 5.07 BRL (1 BRL = 0.197 USD). 1 EUR = 5.7 BRL (1 BRL = 0.175 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Sao Paulo Barrington, IL 8,460 km ≈ 11 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Sao Paulo
  • Barrington, IL

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
Sao Paulo vs Barrington, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Sao Paulo or Barrington, IL?
Barrington, IL costs about 119% more than Sao Paulo, 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 Sao Paulo and in Barrington, IL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,833 per month in Sao Paulo and $4,015 in Barrington, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Sao Paulo or Barrington, IL?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Sao Paulo, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How expensive is transport in Sao Paulo compared to Barrington, IL?
Public transport costs about 147% less in Sao Paulo. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Sao Paulo and in Barrington, IL?
Kindergarten costs $573 per month in Sao Paulo and $1,481 in Barrington, IL. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Sao Paulo or in Barrington, IL?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Sao Paulo, where all-in costs run around $1,222, than in Barrington, IL at $2,677. In Sao Paulo it covers expenses comfortably, while in Barrington, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Sao Paulo or Barrington, IL?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Sao Paulo costs $1,222 versus $2,677 in Barrington, IL. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Sao Paulo compared to Barrington, IL?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Sao Paulo or to Barrington, IL?
If budget matters most, go with Sao Paulo. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Barrington, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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