Cost of Living in Contagem - Updated Prices & Insights

33.47
Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $495 (excluding rent), and $676 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,156 (excluding rent), and $1,511 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.63 R$25.67
$3.7 R$20.54
$9.26 R$51.4
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$17.76 R$98.6
$14.21 R$78.9
$44.42 R$247
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.97 R$33.12
$5.51 R$30.57
$8.46 R$46.94
Cappuccino
$1.23 R$6.84
$0.53 R$2.93
$2.64 R$14.65
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.92 R$5.13
$0.74 R$4.1
$1.39 R$7.69
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47 R$2.59
$0.37 R$2.07
$1.12 R$6.22
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.18 R$6.56
$0.91 R$5.04
$2.73 R$15.13
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18 R$12.13
$1.75 R$9.7
$4.37 R$24.25
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.94 R$5.2
$0.74 R$4.11
$1.11 R$6.17
White Bread (500g)
$1.51 R$8.36
$1.09 R$6.06
$2.73 R$15.16
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.53 R$8.49
$1.05 R$5.84
$2.89 R$16.06
Eggs
$1.6 R$8.91
$1.09 R$6.05
$2.61 R$14.51
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.95 R$44.12
$6.24 R$34.61
$12.48 R$69.3
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.14 R$17.46
$2.45 R$13.58
$4.72 R$26.18
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$5.31 R$29.46
$5.31 R$29.46
$10.07 R$55.9
Apples (1kg)
$1.76 R$9.77
$0.88 R$4.89
$3.17 R$17.59
Banana (1kg)
$1.29 R$7.17
$0.71 R$3.94
$2.13 R$11.82
Oranges (1kg)
$0.92 R$5.08
$0.55 R$3.05
$1.83 R$10.17
Tomato (1kg)
$1.31 R$7.29
$0.53 R$2.94
$2.12 R$11.75
Potato (1kg)
$1.06 R$5.88
$0.55 R$3.05
$1.47 R$8.14
Onion (1kg)
$0.82 R$4.54
$0.53 R$2.95
$1.42 R$7.87
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.66 R$3.68
$0.35 R$1.95
$1.05 R$5.85
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.65 R$3.59
$0.47 R$2.61
$1.24 R$6.86
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.12 R$11.76
$1.77 R$9.8
$3.53 R$19.6
Wine (Bottle)
$7.12 R$39.53
$5.33 R$29.6
$10.68 R$59.3
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.07 R$5.96
$0.74 R$4.09
$1.47 R$8.17
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18 R$12.11
$1.27 R$7.07
$2.73 R$15.14
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.33 R$7.37
$1.32 R$7.31
$1.33 R$7.37
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$72.8 R$404
$21.16 R$117
$72.8 R$404
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.9 R$5.02
$0.86 R$4.76
$1.2 R$6.66
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.02 R$5.65
$0.88 R$4.9
$1.14 R$6.33
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.16 R$45.32
$3.62 R$20.12
$8.16 R$45.32
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.07 R$5.93
$1.01 R$5.59
$1.18 R$6.56
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.5K R$141.7K
$20.1K R$111.3K
$36.5K R$202.4K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.1K R$161.6K
$27.3K R$151.6K
$31.2K R$173.1K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$64.2 R$357
$53.2 R$295
$108 R$601
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.21 R$78.9
$7.16 R$39.73
$21.82 R$121
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.09 R$89.3
$16.09 R$89.3
$26.82 R$149
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$23.83 R$132
$17.87 R$99.2
$32.17 R$179
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.43 R$119
$12.5 R$69.4
$21.43 R$119
Cinema Ticket
$6.6 R$36.66
$5.5 R$30.5
$8.25 R$45.81
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$133 R$740
$133 R$740
$711 R$3,944
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,883 R$38.2K
$4,833 R$26.8K
$8,787 R$48.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.5 R$291
$27.08 R$150
$72.2 R$401
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.57 R$203
$17.75 R$98.5
$79.9 R$443
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$71.1 R$395
$53.3 R$296
$124 R$691
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$65.4 R$363
$36.2 R$201
$127 R$703
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$207 R$1,151
$165 R$914
$238 R$1,320
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$121 R$670
$90.6 R$503
$145 R$804
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$424 R$2,353
$318 R$1,765
$530 R$2,941
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$272 R$1,508
$217 R$1,206
$362 R$2,010
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,831 R$10.2K
$915 R$5,081
$1,831 R$10.2K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$884 R$4,908
$619 R$3,436
$1,238 R$6,871
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$237 R$1,317
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.83
9
13
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Contagem - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Contagem a good value for a short stay or longer-term living, and how does it compare to Belo Horizonte in terms of affordability?
Cost of Living in Contagem, Brazil offers a practical value hub for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want access to the Belo Horizonte region without the higher price tag of the city itself. You’ll typically find more affordable housing options, from compact flats to shared rentals, and local markets where staples stay within reach. Utilities and services shift by neighborhood, so compare central districts with outlying areas to see how savings balance commute time. Transit links to Belo Horizonte support occasional day trips or workdays, keeping overall expenses reasonable while still letting you stay connected. Tip: map your commute first to balance time and cost.
What does daily life look like in Contagem in terms of housing search, food options, transport, coworking, and errands?
To gauge Contagem, Brazil living cost, start with a neighborhood by neighborhood tour and compare rent, proximity to markets, and transit access. Housing search tends to favor smaller flats or shared units in central areas and more affordable spots on the outskirts. Food options include vibrant mercados, bakeries, and casual eateries where you can eat well on a modest budget. Public transport is reliable enough for daily trips via buses or app based rides, with some coworking spaces and cafes offering work friendly setups. For errands, target main commercial zones for speed and convenience. Tip: carry local payment methods and confirm utilities in advance.
What framework can you use to budget and assess neighborhood fit to maximize quality of life in Contagem?
A practical budgeting framework starts with a simple monthly plan. Allocate portions of your budget to housing, food, transport, and leisure, then track weekly against receipts. Seasonal changes influence energy use and market prices, so adapt by cooking at home more in busy months and scouting fresh local bargains in mercados as seasons shift. For neighborhood fit, list priorities like proximity to transit, safety, and quiet evenings. Try a short trial in a couple of areas before committing long term. Tip: set a flexible limit for discretionary spending and recheck when seasons shift.
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