South America Updated
Average Cost of Living in Recife
The average cost of living in Recife, Brazil is $548 per month for a single person, and $1,495 per month for a family of four. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $509 per month. The local average net salary is $438 per month.
Very affordable
Updated today
Index 12.5 · NYC = 100
Estimated monthly cost
- Single person
- $548 / month
- Family of 4
- $1,495 / mo
- Student
- $334 / mo
Includes rent, food, utilities, transport, and dining out. Excludes healthcare, taxes, and discretionary travel.
Salary that covers life in Recife
Adjust the household and see the gap or surplus vs. typical local pay.
Interactive
You need at least
$0 / month
Annual gross (25% tax)
$0
vs. local average net salary
$437.99 / month
On this page 11 sections
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| Salary calculator for Recife | Find out the monthly salary needed for a single, family, or student lifestyle. |
| Rent & Property Prices in Recife | Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter. |
| Grocery Prices in Recife | Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat. |
| Public Transport & Car Costs in Recife | Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices. |
| Utility & Internet Costs in Recife | Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills. |
| Childcare & Preschool in Recife | Preschool fees and international school tuition. |
| Clothing Prices in Recife | Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores. |
| Gym, Cinema & Leisure in Recife | Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets. |
| Restaurant Prices in Recife | Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks. |
| Salaries & Mortgages in Recife | Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates. |
| Recife FAQs | Common questions about rent, salaries, food, and transport in Recife. |
Rent & Property Prices in Recife
Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $509 | $366 – $678 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $266 | $163 – $381 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $910 | $610 – $1,270 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $636 | $407 – $712 |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre | $2,027 | $1,998 – $2,066 |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | $1,088 | $871 – $1,434 |
- 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $509$366 – $678
- 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $266$163 – $381
- 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $910$610 – $1,270
- 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $636$407 – $712
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre $2,027$1,998 – $2,066
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre $1,088$871 – $1,434
Grocery Prices in Recife
Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | $1.27 | $1.02 – $1.42 |
| Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) | $1.68 | $0.81 – $2.44 |
| White Rice (1 kg) | $1.66 | $1.42 – $2.24 |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | $2.14 | $1.10 – $4.40 |
| Local Cheese (1 kg) | $7.40 | $4.93 – $10 |
| Chicken Fillets (1 kg) | $4.65 | $2.03 – $6.10 |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) | $7.53 | $5.49 – $10 |
| Apples (1 kg) | $1.42 | $0.81 – $2.44 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | $1.39 | $0.81 – $2.69 |
| Oranges (1 kg) | $0.79 | $0.61 – $2.03 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $1.27 | $0.41 – $2.44 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | $1.48 | $0.71 – $2.65 |
| Onions (1 kg) | $1.12 | $0.61 – $1.22 |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | $0.51 | $0.20 – $0.92 |
| Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) | $0.89 | $0.61 – $1.22 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $8.14 | $6.10 – $11 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) | $1.18 | $0.51 – $1.63 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $1.58 | $1.02 – $3.05 |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | $1.83 | $1.42 – $3.05 |
- Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) $1.27$1.02 – $1.42
- Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) $1.68$0.81 – $2.44
- White Rice (1 kg) $1.66$1.42 – $2.24
- Eggs (12, Large Size) $2.14$1.10 – $4.40
- Local Cheese (1 kg) $7.40$4.93 – $10
- Chicken Fillets (1 kg) $4.65$2.03 – $6.10
- Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) $7.53$5.49 – $10
- Apples (1 kg) $1.42$0.81 – $2.44
- Bananas (1 kg) $1.39$0.81 – $2.69
- Oranges (1 kg) $0.79$0.61 – $2.03
- Tomatoes (1 kg) $1.27$0.41 – $2.44
- Potatoes (1 kg) $1.48$0.71 – $2.65
- Onions (1 kg) $1.12$0.61 – $1.22
- Lettuce (1 Head) $0.51$0.20 – $0.92
- Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) $0.89$0.61 – $1.22
- Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) $8.14$6.10 – $11
- Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) $1.18$0.51 – $1.63
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $1.58$1.02 – $3.05
- Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) $1.83$1.42 – $3.05
Public Transport & Car Costs in Recife
Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | $0.85 | $0.83 – $0.88 |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | $39 | $30 – $51 |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | $1.26 | $1.02 – $3.26 |
| Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) | $0.77 | $0.61 – $2.24 |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | $3.59 | $2.80 – $12 |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | $1.29 | $1.18 – $1.42 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | $24,193 | $18,314 – $24,193 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | $33,584 | $32,251 – $34,917 |
- One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) $0.85$0.83 – $0.88
- Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) $39$30 – $51
- Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) $1.26$1.02 – $3.26
- Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) $0.77$0.61 – $2.24
- Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) $3.59$2.80 – $12
- Gasoline (1 Liter) $1.29$1.18 – $1.42
- Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) $24,193$18,314 – $24,193
- Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) $33,584$32,251 – $34,917
Utility & Internet Costs in Recife
Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | $118 | $72 – $185 |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | $14 | $6.10 – $22 |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | $18 | $14 – $24 |
- Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) $118$72 – $185
- Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) $14$6.10 – $22
- Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) $18$14 – $24
Childcare & Preschool in Recife
Preschool fees and international school tuition.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | $288 | $122 – $448 |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | $12,148 | $5,861 – $30,524 |
- Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child $288$122 – $448
- International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child $12,148$5,861 – $30,524
Clothing Prices in Recife
Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | $46 | $22 – $89 |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | $51 | $31 – $73 |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | $78 | $35 – $122 |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | $84 | $57 – $102 |
- Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) $46$22 – $89
- Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) $51$31 – $73
- Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) $78$35 – $122
- Men's Leather Business Shoes $84$57 – $102
Gym, Cinema & Leisure in Recife
Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | $22 | $16 – $24 |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | $35 | $20 – $37 |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | $8.65 | $6.10 – $16 |
- Monthly Fitness Club Membership $22$16 – $24
- Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) $35$20 – $37
- Cinema Ticket (International Release) $8.65$6.10 – $16
Restaurant Prices in Recife
Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | $5.70 | $3.66 – $7.12 |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | $35 | $20 – $71 |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | $10 | $6.10 – $10 |
| Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) | $1.63 | $1.02 – $2.44 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $3.26 | $2.44 – $4.07 |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | $2.38 | $1.02 – $5.09 |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) | $1.20 | $0.81 – $1.83 |
| Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.69 | $0.41 – $1.22 |
- Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant $5.70$3.66 – $7.12
- Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) $35$20 – $71
- Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) $10$6.10 – $10
- Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) $1.63$1.02 – $2.44
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $3.26$2.44 – $4.07
- Cappuccino (Regular Size) $2.38$1.02 – $5.09
- Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) $1.20$0.81 – $1.83
- Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) $0.69$0.41 – $1.22
Salaries & Mortgages in Recife
Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | $438 | — |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 11.75% | — |
- Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) $438
- Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 11.75%
Compare Recife with…
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Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to live in Recife?
- An estimated $548 per month covers rent, food, utilities, and transport for one person in Recife. A family of four needs around $1,495 per month, while students living shared accommodation manage on roughly $334.
- How much money do I need to live in Recife?
- Plan for at least $548 per month as a single person, $1,495 per month for a family of four, or $334 per month as a student in shared accommodation. Add 15–25% on top for taxes, savings, and discretionary spending — that's the salary you should be targeting before relocating to Recife.
- What is the average rent in Recife?
- A one-bedroom apartment in Recife rents for around $509 per month, with three-bedroom apartments in the city centre around $910 per month. Prices vary depending on neighbourhood, building age, and furnishings.
- What is the average salary in Recife?
- The average monthly net salary in Recife is around $438. Whether that's enough to live comfortably depends on housing choice — rent typically claims 116% of a single-person paycheck.
- How much does food cost in Recife?
- A meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Recife costs around $5.70. Cooking at home, a single person spends roughly $40 per month on groceries. Staples like milk ($1.27/L) and bread ($1.68/500g) are typical.
- What is public transport like in Recife?
- A monthly public transport pass in Recife costs around $39. Cities with extensive metro and bus networks generally let residents skip car ownership entirely, particularly when commuting from areas outside the city centre.
- Is the internet expensive in Recife?
- Unlimited broadband at 60 Mbps or higher in Recife costs around $18 per month — useful context for remote workers comparing locations.