Skyline of Brasília
Cost of Living: 115 3,055,149

Brasília, Brazil

Brazil's modernist capital, a UNESCO World Heritage city designed by Oscar Niemeyer, with the highest quality of life in the country.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 115

Above Average vs Brazil Avg (100)

Housing Index 110

Above Average

Median Income R$78,000

Household income

Unemployment 8.5%

Job market health

Brasília vs Brazil Average

Cost of Living
Brasília: 115
Brazil Avg: 100
Housing Index
Brasília: 110
Brazil Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 18.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: R$78,000
  • Unemployment: 8.5%
  • Population: 3,055,149

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 240/year
  • Summer High: 86°F
  • Winter Low: 57°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7a

Housing

  • Median Home: R$450,000
  • 1BR Rent: R$2200/mo

Cost of Living

Brasília's cost of living index is 115 (Brazil average = 100).

CategoryBrasíliaNational AverageDifference
Overall115100+15.0%
Housing110100+10.0%

Data source: IBGE / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceR$450,000
Median Rent (1BR)R$2200/mo
Median Rent (2BR)R$2,750/mo
Price per Sq FtR$300

Data source: FipeZAP / QuintoAndar, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

R$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
R$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Brasília:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityR$120
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)R$2Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterR$40Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)R$35Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesR$197Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: ANEEL, Sabesp, Anatel 2025

Remote Work Score

Brasília scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
115
Rent
R$2200
Sunny Days
240
Tax
None
Unemployment
8.5%
Climate
86°F / 57°F
Safety
21.5 homicides/100k
Population
3,055,149
Internet Speed
90 Mbps

Climate

Brasília has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January77°F57°F2.5"
April71°F72°F2.8"
July86°F61°F1.5"
October66°F75°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7a

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Brasília faces the following natural hazards:

Flood High Risk

Amazon and other major river systems cause flooding.

Wildfire High Risk

Amazon rainforest and Cerrado savanna wildfires.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat in much of the country.

Drought Moderate Risk

Northeast Brazil experiences periodic severe droughts.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Southern Brazil experiences tornadoes.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 18%
  • Property Tax: ~0.5% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 8.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Brasília per 100,000 residents:

350.0
Violent Crime
1,500.0
Property Crime
21.5
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: UN Office on Drugs and Crime

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Academic Year February to December
Term System Semester — 1st (Feb-Jun), 2nd (Jul-Dec)
Summer Break December to February (8 weeks)
Winter Break July (2 weeks)
Spring Break Carnival in February/March (1 week)

Many schools operate in morning or afternoon shifts. Carnival is a national holiday break.

Universities & Higher Education

3
Universities
#836
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University University of Brasília

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Brasília, Brazil?

The cost of living index in Brasília is 115, which is Higher the Brazil national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Brasília?

The median home price in Brasília is R$450,000. The housing index is 110.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Brasília is approximately R$2200/mo.

Does Brasília, DF have income tax?

Brasília is in DF, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Brasília?

Brasília enjoys approximately 240 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 86°F, while winter lows can drop to around 57°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: IBGE / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: FipeZAP / QuintoAndar, 2026
  • Income & Employment: IBGE Continuous PNAD, 2024
  • Utilities ANEEL, Sabesp, Anatel 2025

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.