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São Paulo vs Buenos Aires

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

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

Where the gap actually is

São PauloBuenos Aires
  • Housing
    Housing: São Paulo $650, Buenos Aires $550. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Food
    Food: São Paulo $330, Buenos Aires $382. Cheaper in São Paulo.
  • Transport
    Transport: São Paulo $70, Buenos Aires $56. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: São Paulo $101, Buenos Aires $81. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: São Paulo $24, Buenos Aires $19. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: São Paulo $105, Buenos Aires $101. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Other
    Other: São Paulo $50, Buenos Aires $51. 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

MetricSão PauloBuenos Aires
Cost
Total monthly cost1,331 USD1,240 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)2119✓
Housing650 USD550 USD✓
Utilities101 USD81 USD✓
Food330 USD✓382 USD
Transport70 USD56 USD✓
Healthcare24 USD19 USD✓
Lifestyle105 USD101 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,041 USD✓4,676 USD
Effective tax + social rate27.5%✓43.9%
Left over each month4,710 USD✓3,436 USD
Average local net salary700 USD✓600 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre650 USD550 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,400 USD1,100 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre2,600 USD2,200 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety42/10048/100✓
Healthcare72/10072/100
Air quality44/10052/100✓
Public transport66/10074/100✓
Walkability72/10084/100✓
English proficiency32/10044/100✓
Nightlife92/10094/100✓
Family friendliness64/10070/100✓
Median broadband190 Mbps✓90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature20°C18°C✓
Summer high28°C✓29°C
Winter low12°C✓8°C
Sunshine hours per year1,900 h2,500 h✓
Annual rainfall1450 mm1200 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access70 min45 min✓
CurrencyBRLARS
Time zoneAmerica/Sao_PauloAmerica/Argentina/Buenos_Aires

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

Cost of living in São PauloCost of living in Buenos AiresConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is São Paulo or Buenos Aires 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 Buenos Aires compared with São Paulo?

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

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

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