Cost of living in Brazil in 2026

@Cheryl

Thanks for asking Cheryl, As I have mentioned previously, we are very, very comfortable. We live in a small village in Northeastern Brazil and have a compound with three houses. One for me and SIMBA. One for my wife, the caretaker in chief, my 99yr old mother, her mentally challenged brother-in-law and PANDORA.  I have now been here for three years. We built, paid for and furnished my house. I also purchased a car for my wife. Basically, we OWN everything and do not rent or lease. In addition, there is a community pool (not on purpose, all the kids just started coming over), a very, very popular SORVETE SHOP and very cool motorcycle.  It is a very quiet friendly village, but we have a massive gate circling the property and SIMBA and PANDORA really protect us from the wildlife (Bulls, Cows, Pigs etc.).

In terms of grocery. I usually spend R$ 200 - $R 300 reis every week in a half.  As long as the Exchange Rate stays the same, we are fine.

As I mentioned I purchased a car for my wife when I arrived and I have a MAN FRIDAY that takes me out on Tuesday for grocery shopping, computer stuff, medicine etc. for $100 REIS

My leisure activities are streaming every known channel in my house. For my wife, her Sorvete Shop is Insanely Popular (We stopped traffic outside our compound for the easter egg hunt), so most of her leisure is there.

Medical Insurance, she takes care of since the cost is very affordable without the monthly insurance costs.

1. My challenges are the conversion rate American to Brazilian dollars are creeping up at the ATM.
2. We are subject to Electric Storms and losing electricity and Internet for long periods of time.

We have one child and she lives in the USA and does not attend any college. She is successfully self-made.

Roddie in Retirement😎

@Roddie Simmons

Thank you for sharing your experience, Roddie. Real-life examples like yours, and the detailed overview of your lifestyle and expenses, are very helpful for members considering retirement in Brazil and exploring different living arrangements and cost structures.

All the best

Bhavna

I live in a reasonable sized city in interior Minas Gerais, about 5½ hours from Belo Horizonte.  I rent an 11th floor apartment, suite + 2 bedrooms, for 2500 reais/month. The building fees (the condominio charges) run 875 reais.  I live within easy walking distance (1 km) to supermarket, doctor, dentist, shops, govt offices;  I have no car.  I have a fantastic view from my balcony.  I have private health insurance at 1875 reais per month.  Public buses cost 5 reais,  free for seniors. I'm single, and groceries run me about around 175-200 reais per month, with little attention to my choices Restaurants are good, prices modest, Social and sports clubs: 180 and 150 reais (the latter for pickleball only).  One of my major expenses is the DARF tax that I pay on my US retirement,  including Soc Sec, distributions each month.

You pay the Darf tax monthly? What is the percentage?

@Roddie Simmons

Nice story and thanks for sharing...

@Roddie Simmons

that grocery range is way lower than what I keep seeing quoted for the south. R$200-300 weekly in the northeast vs people in Floripa telling me R$500+ easy. do you grow anything yourself or is that all supermarket? also wondering how much the electrical storms actually affect things — like do you lose power often or is it more just noise?