Brazil vs Mexico: Cost of Living, Salary & Prices comparison (2024)

FAQs

Brazil vs Mexico: Cost of Living, Salary & Prices comparison? ›

The average cost of living in Brazil ($675) is 14% less expensive than in Mexico ($786). Brazil ranked 133rd vs 111th for Mexico in the list of the most expensive countries in the world. The average after-tax salary is enough to cover living expenses for 0.6 months in Brazil compared to 0.8 months in Mexico.

Which place is cheaper, Mexico City or Rio de Janeiro? These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $109, while the average daily cost in Mexico City is $203.

The cost of living is affordable. Housing, food, and transportation costs are significantly lower in Brazil than in other major cities. This means you can live comfortably on a monthly budget of $784 – $2416 (3,920 BRL – 12,080 BRL) per month.

What is the average salary in Brazil? According to Salary Explorer, the average monthly wage in Brazil is 8,560 BRL (Brazilian Real) per month and 103,000 BRL per year. According to the exchange rate in May 2023, it's equal to around USD 1,751.

As of 2023, the average monthly salary in Mexico in pesos is approximately 25,000 MXN or about 1,400 USD. This figure may be lower than that of other countries, but it's important to take into account that the cost of living in Mexico is generally lower than in many developed countries.

The average cost of living in Brazil ($675) is 63% less expensive than in Canada ($1826). Brazil ranked 133rd vs 15th for Canada in the list of the most expensive countries in the world. The average after-tax salary is enough to cover living expenses for 0.6 months in Brazil compared to 1.7 months in Canada.

Economy. Brazil has a GDP per capita of $14,100 as of 2020, while in Mexico, the GDP per capita is $17,900 as of 2020.

In 2022, the minimum wage in Brazil is US$234.88 (We used the exchange rate of February 25, 2021, with one dollar equivalent to 5.16 reais). People with a per capita income between $188.12 and $727.86 per month are considered middle class.

If you are coming to Brazil with $1,000 ( I am assuming it's USD) for a week, then it's really good money. You will be able to stay at a quality hotel and go to some good restaurants. Furthermore, if you are going to stay away from the larger urban areas, your money will last longer.

São Paulo – São Paulo is undoubtedly the number one spot for expats who are first moving to Brazil. It's South America's largest city with a population over 12 million.

How much tax do you pay in Brazil? ›

All foreign people can buy a property in Brazil, living abroad or in the national territory, even without a fixed address. There is no price ceiling, not even a limit on the amount of properties you want to buy. So, it is allowed for a foreign person to purchase a property to live or to invest.

Brazil is an economy with low tax tradition, where evasion and avoidance are not suppressed with the same intensity observed in other countries with more solid tax tradition. The relationship between the state and the taxpayer has been characterized for a long time as a relationship of power and coercion.

US expats in Mexico can expect to live comfortably with a monthly income of $1500 – $2500, sometimes less depending on their location.

The average annual salary in Canada in 2021 was $59,300. That number if divided by 12 brings the average monthly salary to $4,942. Ranked among the top 20 countries with the highest salary, Canada is known for its high quality of life, political stability, and job security for families.

The Brazil Visa is valid for up to 2 years, but travelers can only stay in Brazil a maximum of 90 days per year. Also, Brazil Visa is only valid for tourism purposes.

Retirement Visa in Brazil

Applicants for a Brazilian retiree visa must be over age 60 with a pension or investments that pay out at least $1,400 USD per month. Check with the Brazilian consulate to confirm the current minimum amount of monthly income as exchange rates fluctuate.

Foreign nationals wishing to move to Brazil for a stay that exceeds 90 days (three months) need to apply for a visa to enter the country. For long-term stays in Brazil, you will need to apply for a Brazil temporary visa (VITEM).

Historically, Mexico has been regarded as a better run economy than Brazil, embracing a western style of technocratic economic management as long ago as the 1980s. More recently, however, the difficulties of combatting corruption and the excessive power of state organisations led to a desire for change.

Which country is richer Mexico or Brazil? ›

Brazil and Mexico were the countries with the largest gross domestic product (GDP) in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2021. In that year, Brazil's GDP reached an estimated value of 1.6 trillion U.S. dollars, whereas Mexico's amounted to almost 1.3 trillion U.S. dollars.

In Brazil, from the total national wealth share in 2021, nearly 80 percent belonged to the top ten percent. Almost half of Brazil's wealth was held by top one percent. On the other hand, the bottom 50 percent had a total of -0.4 percent, that is, on average, this group had more debts than assets.

In 2021, the median household income is roughly $68,000. An upper class income is usually considered at least 50% higher than the median household income. Therefore, an upper class income in America is $100,000 and higher.

English. While it's not widely used in Brazil, languages spoken there do include English. Around 5% of Brazilians speak some degree of English, though that's not to say they are fluent.

When asked to rate their general satisfaction with life on a scale from 0 to 10, Brazilians gave it a 6.1 grade on average, lower than the OECD average of 6.7. For more information on estimates and years of reference, see FAQ section and BLI database.

Brazil provides free, universal access to medical care to anyone legally living in the country. However, this means that waiting times can be long at public hospitals, especially those in more rural areas where facilities are oversubscribed.

Sao Paulo is located in the state of Sao Paulo, the most populous and wealthiest state in Brazil. This region is so wealthy that it alone is wealthier than Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia combined.

What's the safest city in Brazil? ›

Florianopolis, Brazil

In the southern region of Brazil, on an idyllic island just off the coast sits Florianopolis, arguably Brazil's best place to be. Sunset in the city of Florianopolis, Brasil's safest city.

Brazil signed tax treaties to avoid double taxation with the following countries: Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia (*), Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Hungary, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Paraguay (*), Peru, Philippines, Portugal, ...

Residents of Brazil are taxed on their worldwide income, and non-residents are taxed exclusively at source on their Brazilian-sourced income. The source of income is determined by the place where the income payer is located, irrespective of where the work is performed.

In addition to filing taxes in Brazil, American expats in Brazil are also required to file US taxes and report any foreign assets or income. Failure to do so can result in hefty fines and penalties.

You must have a CPF for purchasing a real estate property in Brazil. You also must have it for many other purposes such as opening a bank account or filing your taxes. Clearance certificates must be obtained regarding both the property and the seller.

As a rule, condo fees are inexpensive, for example, for a typical condo with a swimming pool and basic amenities, the fee is less than $80 per month.

Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are by far the first choices for international investors, but other capitals such as Fortaleza, Sao Luis, Campo Grande, Belem, Curitiba, Recife, Natal, Porto Alegre, Florianopolis, and Palmas have been consistently well regarded as prime markets.

These were the tax rates in 2022. The tax rates are: 15%, 20.5%, 26%, 29%, and 33%. Let's say you're a student who worked part-time over the winter and spring, and you made $10,000. Your income would be in the first bracket, and your tax rate would be 15%.

Factors contributing to Brazil's income disparity

The lack of access to technology, formal education and skills training have resulted in fewer employment opportunities, and hence contribute to lower revenues of people living in rural areas.

Can you live comfortably in Mexico for $1000 a month? ›

In Mexico, you can live a comfortable life on $1,000 a month. The average cost of living for expats, digital nomads and retirees varies between $600 to $2,000 depending on one's lifestyle choices and their location. Baseline costs in Mexico are around $750 a month.

In its study Quantifying the Middle Class, INEGI pointed out that the average income per household according to social class is $11,343 pesos ($615 USD) for low class, $22,297 pesos ($1,200 USD) in the middle class, and $77,795 pesos ($4,200 USD) per month for the upper class.

You can live comfortably on a budget of $1500-$2000 per month in large cities like Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Tijuana. This budget is also suitable for some expat destinations such as San Miguel de Allende, Ajijic and the Lake Chapala area, Merida, Sayulita, Ensenada, etc.

So, you are thinking about moving to Mexico, it is possible for Canadians to live in Mexico permanently. Many Canadians are living, retiring, and even working in Mexico. Although the Mexican Immigration laws can be daunting, MexLaw can help to gain the visa you require to stay in Mexico.

The average cost of living in Canada ($1826) is 132% more expensive than in Mexico ($786). Canada ranked 15th vs 111th for Mexico in the list of the most expensive countries in the world. The average after-tax salary is enough to cover living expenses for 1.7 months in Canada compared to 0.8 months in Mexico.

“On average, you can live a very comfortable life in Mexico with a budget of $1,500 to $3,000 per month,” said Gene Caballero, co-founder of GreenPal. “This would cover your housing, meals, utilities, healthcare and even some entertainment and leisure activities.”

The average salary in Toronto is $62,050, which is 14% higher than the Canadian average salary of $54,450. A person making $80,000 a year in Toronto makes 28.9% more than the average working person in Toronto and will take home about $59,604.

Cost of living in Canada for a couple

However, the cost of living for a couple may be high for young couples – it averages down to around $3,500 a month. It is advisable to have around $50,000 for a year of living in Canada as partners.

The average household income in Canada is just over $75,452 per year, and approximately 15.7% of Canadians make more than $100,000 annually. So, if you're making $50,000 a year, you're right around the average – which means that you're doing just fine. Read More: How many millionaires are there in Canada?

Brazil can be an extremely rewarding country to explore on a budget. With an average cost of around $20 USD per day, spending two weeks here totals about $280; a downright frugal adventure. Things like cafe food and public transit are cheap, and you'll never lack things to do.

Is Brazil a cheap country to visit? ›

The average price of a 7-day trip to Brazil is $1,488 for a solo traveler, $2,637 for a couple, and $1,076 for a family of 4. Brazil hotels range from $36 to $182 per night with an average of $56, while most vacation rentals will cost $60 to $430 per night for the entire home.

Colombia is the best country to live in in terms of cost of living, according to the “Cheapest Places to Live in 2023” index published by International Living. Colombia, Mexico and Ecuador found themselves in the top three spots of International Living's latest index. Italy ranked fourth, followed by Portugal.

It's not a secret that Brazil is one of the most expensive countries in South America. Still, for those travelers who earn in dollars, pounds, or euros, the 4-to-1 exchange rate makes the country surprisingly affordable. It's important to note that Brazil is a country of extremes.

The Brazilian upper class comprises individuals who earn more than $727.87 monthly up to millionaires and billionaires, as defined by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, IBGE after its Portuguese acronym).

With its captivating nature and one of the world's fastest-growing economies, moving to Brazil as an expat means you'll enjoy a colourful new lifestyle. There are a lot of job opportunities and life expectancy in Brazil is high.

Compared to many other countries, Brazil has a relatively low cost of living, which can be a major advantage for retirees on a fixed income. The warm climate and beautiful beaches are also a major draw for retirees looking for a more tropical lifestyle.

The average cost of living in Brazil ($675) is 24% more expensive than in Colombia ($546). Brazil ranked 133rd vs 164th for Colombia in the list of the most expensive countries in the world.

The cost of living in Mexico is relatively cheaper compared to Portugal, but the facilities, including healthcare, transportation, and entertainment, are much more developed in Portugal.

The average cost of living in Brazil ($675) is 14% less expensive than in Mexico ($786). Brazil ranked 133rd vs 111th for Mexico in the list of the most expensive countries in the world. The average after-tax salary is enough to cover living expenses for 0.6 months in Brazil compared to 0.8 months in Mexico.

Overall, the cheapest country in South America is Bolivia. Here you can easily live on $20 a day (and even less depending on what you need daily), and will also find transport and tours cheap too.

What part of Brazil is safest for tourists? ›

What Part of Brazil is Safest? Florianópolis, Brasilia (the country's capital), Curitiba, and Belo Horizonte are among the safest cities in Brazil, with some of the lowest crime rates in the country. What is this? Vacation destinations like Fernanda do Noronha are also quite safe.

Use caution at, or going to, major transportation centers or on public transportation, especially at night. Passengers face an elevated risk of robbery or assault using public, municipal bus transportation throughout Brazil. Use increased caution when hiking in isolated areas.