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Buenos Aires vs São Paulo

Buenos Aires runs about 7% cheaper than São Paulo for this household, a difference of 91 USD a month.

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Buenos Aires
$1,240/month · Argentina
Unknown authorUnknown author · CC BY 2.5 ar
Foto: Beto Issa/Fórmula 1
São Paulo
$1,331/month · Brazil
Governo do Estado de São Paulo · CC BY 2.0
Buenos Aires monthly
$1,240
Index 19 (NYC = 100)
São Paulo monthly
$1,331
Index 21 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+7%
São Paulo relative to Buenos Aires
Rent gap
$100
São Paulo costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Buenos AiresSão Paulo
  • Housing
    Housing: Buenos Aires $550, São Paulo $650. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Food
    Food: Buenos Aires $382, São Paulo $330. Cheaper in São Paulo.
  • Transport
    Transport: Buenos Aires $56, São Paulo $70. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Buenos Aires $81, São Paulo $101. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Buenos Aires $19, São Paulo $24. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Buenos Aires $101, São Paulo $105. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Other
    Other: Buenos Aires $51, São Paulo $50. Cheaper in São Paulo.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricBuenos AiresSão Paulo
Cost
Total monthly cost1,240 USD✓1,331 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)19✓21
Housing550 USD✓650 USD
Utilities81 USD✓101 USD
Food382 USD330 USD✓
Transport56 USD✓70 USD
Healthcare19 USD✓24 USD
Lifestyle101 USD✓105 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,676 USD6,041 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate43.9%27.5%✓
Left over each month3,436 USD4,710 USD✓
Average local net salary600 USD700 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre550 USD✓650 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,100 USD✓1,400 USD
Buy price per m², centre2,200 USD✓2,600 USD
Quality of life
Safety48/100✓42/100
Healthcare72/10072/100
Air quality52/100✓44/100
Public transport74/100✓66/100
Walkability84/100✓72/100
English proficiency44/100✓32/100
Nightlife94/100✓92/100
Family friendliness70/100✓64/100
Median broadband90 Mbps190 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature18°C✓20°C
Summer high29°C28°C✓
Winter low8°C12°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,500 h✓1,900 h
Annual rainfall1200 mm✓1450 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access45 min✓70 min
CurrencyARSBRL
Time zoneAmerica/Argentina/Buenos_AiresAmerica/Sao_Paulo

Buenos Aires runs about 7% cheaper than São Paulo for this household, a difference of 91 USD a month.

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Go deeper

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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Buenos Aires or São Paulo cheaper?

Buenos Aires runs about 7% cheaper than São Paulo for this household, a difference of 91 USD a month.

What salary do you need in São Paulo compared with Buenos Aires?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $4,676 a month in Buenos Aires and $6,041 in São Paulo, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Buenos Aires or São Paulo?

Buenos Aires scores 48/100 on safety and 72/100 on healthcare; São Paulo scores 42 and 72. Buenos Aires averages 18°C against 20°C in São Paulo.