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Santiago vs São Paulo

São Paulo runs about 19% cheaper than Santiago for this household, a difference of 317 USD a month.

Doppeleinheit Bauart X’Trapolis Modular auf dem Gleis 6. Die von Alstom gelieferten Triebwagen basieren auf den S-Bahn-Triebwagen des Typs Civia von CAF. Die Wagen sind auf eine Bahnsteighöhe auf Wage
Santiago
$1,648/month · Chile
Falk2 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Foto: Beto Issa/Fórmula 1
São Paulo
$1,331/month · Brazil
Governo do Estado de São Paulo · CC BY 2.0
Santiago monthly
$1,648
Index 26 (NYC = 100)
São Paulo monthly
$1,331
Index 21 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-19%
São Paulo relative to Santiago
Rent gap
$50
Santiago costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

SantiagoSão Paulo
  • Housing
    Housing: Santiago $700, São Paulo $650. Cheaper in São Paulo.
  • Food
    Food: Santiago $548, São Paulo $330. Cheaper in São Paulo.
  • Transport
    Transport: Santiago $58, São Paulo $70. Cheaper in Santiago.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Santiago $111, São Paulo $101. Cheaper in São Paulo.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Santiago $22, São Paulo $24. Cheaper in Santiago.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Santiago $139, São Paulo $105. Cheaper in São Paulo.
  • Other
    Other: Santiago $70, 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

MetricSantiagoSão Paulo
Cost
Total monthly cost1,648 USD1,331 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)2621✓
Housing700 USD650 USD✓
Utilities111 USD101 USD✓
Food548 USD330 USD✓
Transport58 USD✓70 USD
Healthcare22 USD✓24 USD
Lifestyle139 USD105 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,204 USD✓6,041 USD
Effective tax + social rate25.5%✓27.5%
Left over each month4,556 USD4,710 USD✓
Average local net salary950 USD✓700 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre700 USD650 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,400 USD1,400 USD
Buy price per m², centre2,800 USD2,600 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety54/100✓42/100
Healthcare72/10072/100
Air quality32/10044/100✓
Public transport78/100✓66/100
Walkability72/10072/100
English proficiency34/100✓32/100
Nightlife74/10092/100✓
Family friendliness72/100✓64/100
Median broadband180 Mbps190 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature15°C✓20°C
Summer high29°C28°C✓
Winter low3°C12°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,600 h✓1,900 h
Annual rainfall310 mm✓1450 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach access100 min70 min✓
CurrencyCLPBRL
Time zoneAmerica/SantiagoAmerica/Sao_Paulo

São Paulo runs about 19% cheaper than Santiago for this household, a difference of 317 USD a month.

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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Santiago or São Paulo cheaper?

São Paulo runs about 19% cheaper than Santiago for this household, a difference of 317 USD a month.

What salary do you need in São Paulo compared with Santiago?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,204 a month in Santiago and $6,041 in São Paulo, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Santiago or São Paulo?

Santiago scores 54/100 on safety and 72/100 on healthcare; São Paulo scores 42 and 72. Santiago averages 15°C against 20°C in São Paulo.