Last update: Oct 2026 Brazil 1.5M

Cost of Living in Recife

For one person, living costs in Recife are estimated at $924 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $18 a day.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Recife

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

A single person spends around $924 per month with rent, or $541 for everyday expenses alone.

$924 /mo

A couple spends around $1,523 per month with rent, or $954 for everyday expenses alone.

$1,523 /mo

A family of three spends around $2,121 per month with rent, or $1,366 without housing.

$2,121 /mo
Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.52 R$27.99
$3.55 R$18.01
$7.89 R$40.02
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.47 R$195
$30.37 R$154
$70.9 R$359
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.93 R$50.4
$7.14 R$36.18
$9.93 R$50.4
Cappuccino
$2.58 R$13.08
$1.01 R$5.11
$5.05 R$25.59
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10 R$5.56
$0.81 R$4.12
$1.81 R$9.16
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.63 R$3.21
$0.41 R$2.07
$1.22 R$6.21
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.64 R$8.31
$1.02 R$5.20
$2.66 R$13.51
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.15 R$15.99
$2.37 R$12.00
$3.94 R$19.97
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.38 R$7.00
$0.97 R$4.93
$1.94 R$9.85
White Bread (500g)
$1.70 R$8.63
$0.82 R$4.16
$2.47 R$12.53
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.68 R$8.51
$1.43 R$7.27
$2.26 R$11.47
Eggs
$1.91 R$9.68
$1.07 R$5.42
$4.28 R$21.72
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.10 R$36.01
$4.74 R$24.01
$9.76 R$49.50
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.68 R$23.73
$2.05 R$10.41
$6.17 R$31.27
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.08 R$40.97
$5.45 R$27.64
$10.10 R$51.2
Apples (1kg)
$1.42 R$7.22
$0.81 R$4.12
$2.45 R$12.42
Banana (1kg)
$1.39 R$7.02
$0.81 R$4.10
$2.68 R$13.59
Oranges (1kg)
$0.81 R$4.11
$0.62 R$3.16
$2.08 R$10.53
Tomato (1kg)
$1.23 R$6.23
$0.39 R$1.99
$2.37 R$12.01
Potato (1kg)
$1.48 R$7.50
$0.71 R$3.62
$2.66 R$13.51
Onion (1kg)
$1.09 R$5.50
$0.59 R$3.00
$1.18 R$6.00
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.52 R$2.65
$0.21 R$1.06
$0.94 R$4.77
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90 R$4.59
$0.62 R$3.16
$1.25 R$6.33
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.76 R$8.94
$1.37 R$6.95
$2.95 R$14.94
Wine (Bottle)
$8.25 R$41.80
$6.18 R$31.33
$12.37 R$62.7
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19 R$6.02
$0.51 R$2.59
$1.64 R$8.30
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51 R$7.65
$0.97 R$4.94
$2.93 R$14.86
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.88 R$4.45
$0.86 R$4.34
$0.94 R$4.76
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$38.02 R$193
$28.83 R$146
$49.36 R$250
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.28 R$6.50
$1.03 R$5.20
$3.29 R$16.69
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.74 R$3.74
$0.58 R$2.95
$2.15 R$10.88
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.63 R$18.42
$2.83 R$14.36
$12.35 R$62.6
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.36 R$6.91
$1.27 R$6.45
$1.44 R$7.28
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.7K R$120.1K
$17.9K R$90.9K
$23.7K R$120.1K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.2K R$168.2K
$31.9K R$161.5K
$34.5K R$174.9K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$117 R$596
$71.8 R$364
$185 R$935
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.49 R$68.4
$6.02 R$30.53
$22.09 R$112
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.51 R$88.8
$13.85 R$70.2
$23.75 R$120
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$21.79 R$110
$16.34 R$82.9
$24.51 R$124
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$34.68 R$176
$20.01 R$101
$36.01 R$183
Cinema Ticket
$8.54 R$43.28
$6.02 R$30.53
$16.07 R$81.5
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$282 R$1,432
$121 R$614
$464 R$2,352
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.0K R$60.9K
$5,796 R$29.4K
$21.7K R$110.2K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.34 R$235
$22.35 R$113
$89.2 R$452
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$51.2 R$259
$30.52 R$155
$73.1 R$370
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$75.5 R$383
$33.60 R$170
$119 R$601
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$81.6 R$413
$55.1 R$280
$98.5 R$499
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$509 R$2,578
$393 R$1,994
$655 R$3,320
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$265 R$1,345
$162 R$822
$379 R$1,922
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$887 R$4,495
$595 R$3,015
$1,237 R$6,271
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$638 R$3,233
$408 R$2,070
$715 R$3,623
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,005 R$10.2K
$1,977 R$10.0K
$2,043 R$10.4K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,070 R$5,425
$856 R$4,341
$1,410 R$7,150
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$437 R$2,214
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.75
10.5
12

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

Last update: October 10, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Recife $924
Accommodation & Living
$265
Groceries & Markets
$184
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$148
Eating Out
$126
Clothing & Footwear
$115
Getting Around
$47
Sport & Entertainment
$39

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $509, dropping to $265 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 116% of the average salary ($437) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $437 – below monthly costs of $924. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $184 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $38.00.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $38.02.

Cost Highlights

Internet is cheaper than 93% of cities in South America

Imported beer is cheaper than 91% of cities in South America

Good to know
🕒 Local time
00:44 12:44 AM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,488,920
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to BRL – Brazilian Real Converter

Brazilian Real exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 5.07 BRL (1 BRL = 0.197 USD). 1 EUR = 5.7 BRL (1 BRL = 0.175 EUR).

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Recife Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Recife - Frequently Asked Questions
How affordable is Recife for travelers, expats, and digital nomads compared with other cities?
Cost of Living in Recife, Brazil sits in the middle among major coastal Brazilian cities. You’ll find affordable rents in older neighborhoods and lower food costs if you cook at home, with dining out cheaper outside tourist hotspots. Transportation is workable with buses and ride-hailing, though car use brings fuel costs. The beachfront zones can push prices upward during peak season, while non-tourist districts offer steadier value. Overall, value comes from smart neighborhood choices and flexible living patterns rather than chasing luxury. Tip: map 2–3 neighborhoods, test a week-long stay, and anchor your budget to housing, utilities, and a few coworking days.
What should you expect day-to-day when living in Recife – housing search, food options, transport, and coworking?
Daily life in Recife blends convenience with local flavor. You’ll find a range of housing options, from compact flats in historic cores to newer builds by the coast, with prices varying by neighborhood. Food is abundant and affordable at markets, while dining out offers both traditional pastimes and modern cafés. Public transport is workable, and rideshares extend late into the evening. Recife, Brazil living cost understanding helps you tailor your housing search, meal planning, and commute: choose neighborhoods that cut transit time and avoid peak-season bottlenecks. Tip: schedule a street-level recon during different days and seasons to gauge consistency in costs.
How can you maximize quality of life in Recife, with budgeting, seasonal patterns, and neighborhood fit in mind?
Quality of life in Recife rewards planning and flexibility. Build a simple budgeting framework: housing, utilities, groceries, transport, and a modest leisure buffer. To save, opt for longer-term stays in stable neighborhoods, shared accommodations, or coworking spaces with built-in perks. Seasonality affects outdoor plans and crowds, so align activities with the rhythms of festivals and weather. For neighborhood fit, sample both lively cores and quieter coastal lanes to balance work, safety, and leisure. Tip: establish a flexible monthly plan that adapts to shifts in transport, groceries, and entertainment needs.
Is Recife worth the cost of living?
Recife is mid-range – monthly costs with rent reach about $924. For most residents, that's a fair trade: urban amenities, services, and job access without major-hub prices.
Is Recife expensive to live in?
Recife sits squarely in the middle of the price spectrum – not cheap, not expensive. Monthly costs with rent tend to hover around $924, which most working professionals can handle without feeling financially squeezed.
Can you save money on an average salary in Recife?
The average net salary in Recife is about $437, while comfortable living starts around $1,386. With total costs hitting $924 monthly, saving is possible if you earn above average – but it takes intentional budgeting.
How much is rent in Recife?
A central one-bedroom apartment in Recife runs about $509 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $265. Location makes a big difference here – and furnished places or short-term rentals will cost more on top of these figures.
Is food expensive in Recife?
Grocery spending in Recife lands around $184 per month for one person – not cheap, not expensive. Local produce and staples are fairly priced, though imported goods and specialty items cost more. Overall, food is a manageable part of the budget.
How much is public transport in Recife?
Getting around Recife by public transport costs about $38.02 per month. A monthly pass generally covers buses, trams, and metro – much cheaper than owning a car for the daily commute.
Can a person live on $1,000 monthly in Recife?
$1,000 is below the $924 average in Recife, so it's tight but not impossible. You'll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.
Is Recife a good place to live?
Quality of life in Recife is genuinely good – highlights include fast internet, vibrant nightlife, digital nomad infrastructure, and monthly costs hover around $924. Day-to-day life is well-rounded: decent infrastructure, varied dining and entertainment, and a generally positive atmosphere.
How affordable is Recife?
Recife is neither cheap nor expensive – it sits comfortably in the middle. Monthly costs with rent run about $924, a figure most working professionals can handle without major financial stress.

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