Cost of Living in Porto Alegre, Brazil

Updated On May 10, 2022

How Much Does It Cost to Live In Porto Alegre?

The people of Porto Alegre are very open like and welcoming which highly affects foreigners to come and settle there.

The whole atmosphere in the city is cool, there are numerous possibilities and attractions for every taste, enough advantages to make you satisfied with your new life there.

It is difficult to say whether it is better to live in the city center of Porto Alegre or decide to settle in very beautiful regions out of it, since that depends on settler’s preferences.

Cost of Living Index:
40.56
* Based on Research & User Data
Restaurants

RESTAURANTS

When it comes to restaurants, there are good places to go in Porto Alegre where you will not spend much, but would still get a decent meal.

This is due to the lower prices of food than in many other countries.

From inexpensive ones, where meal is $5, to the most luxurious which offer $100 dinner per person, there is something for each person’s taste.

Markets

MARKETS

Even though people in Porto Alegre spend a lot of money when it comes to food and beverages, it can be said that the prices are reasonable and affordable.

However, different places in the city might offer distinctive prices, as well as discounts, so that you can save even more on this.

Transportation

TRANSPORTATION

When you work, the main problem is how to get to work and in Porto Alegre you will face the same problem as in any other big city, and that is a traffic jam.

At those moments, you can realize that it is a better solution using public transportation system which is quite affordable here.

Utilities

UTILITIES (MONTHLY)

The cost of utilities varies depending on the season, size of the apartment, number of people living there and their lifestyle and habits.

However, the approximate prices of all the basic services, with the Internet included, are higher than in some other major cities in Brazil, exceeding $130 per month.

Sports and leisure

SPORTS & LEISURE

Porto Alegre is the city full of different options when it comes to entertainment and sport.

There is amusement for every type of person and fitness clubs are inexpensive which is very attractive to foreigners.

The increasing popularity of tennis made the prices of tennis court rents go higher than it can be expected.

Clothing and shoes

CLOTHING & SHOES

Rent per month

RENT PER MONTH

If you take into consideration Brazilian cities, Porto Alegre would offer less expensive rent prices than most of the main cities there.

While you will need more than $300 for a one bedroom apartment in the city center of Brasilia or Sao Paulo, in Porto Alegre you can get it for about $280.

Cost of Living Averages Table for Porto Alegre

*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.
Average Restaurant Prices
Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant)$5.33
Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter)$2.13
Water (0.33 Liter)$0.73
Average Market Prices
Milk (1 Liter)$2.77
Loaf Bread (500g)$0.98
Eggs (12)$1.52
Average Transport Prices
One Way Ticket$1.15
Monthly Pass$50.39
Gasoline$4.60
Average Utilities Prices
Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling)$101.46
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local$0.40
Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)$34.36
Average Leisure Prices
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult$29.62
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour)$19.75
Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release$7.46
Average Clothing Prices
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable)$57.04
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...)$44.75
1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range)$86.29
Average Rent Prices
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center$281.85
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center$246.21
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center$581.19

How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Porto Alegre?

Monthly spending of the citizens of Porto Alegre is very similar to the spending in some other Brazilian cities.

You might find them helpful if creating your own way of selecting crucial and less important monthly costs.

How much you will spend on each category would vary a lot from person to person depending on the habits, but one is sure – food and apartment would take the most of your salary.

They also like visiting restaurant which are cheap, thus spending pretty much money on it.

Average Costs Breakdown

12.9%
28.3%
15.8%
12.6%
8.1%
4.2%
18.1%

Porto Alegre: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages

In the whole Brazil, as well as in Porto Alegre, the minimum wage is almost $200 lower than the average monthly salary.

That is why the differences between lifestyles among people are huge.

Some of them would not be able to cover the basic costs while other would have money left for entertainment.

All in all, if you earn less than average amount, you should know that living there would not be perfect.

Even if you want to buy your own place so as to save on rent, mortgage rates are high and unreasonable.

Average Salary$494.94
Minimum Wage$288.4
Mortgage Interest Rate10.59%

Porto Alegre Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Porto Alegre Safety Review

Safety Index:
21
  • OVERALL RISK: HIGH
  • TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
  • PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
  • NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
  • MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
  • TERRORISM RISK: LOW
  • SCAMS RISK: HIGH
  • WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

Cost of Living by City in Porto Alegre

CityCost of Living Index
Belo Horizonte40.48
Brasilia44.02
Campinas44.45
Curitiba38.34
Florianopolis40.26
Recife40.67
Rio de Janeiro34.7
Sao Paulo44.16

Where to Next?

See these related locations:

Or, browse the country/city indexes:

Cost of Living - Country Index Cost of Living - City Index

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