Skyline of Governador Valadares
Cost of Living: 89 281,046

Governador Valadares, Brazil

A major city in eastern Minas Gerais along the Doce River, known for its gemstone trade and as a hub for Brazilian emigrants abroad.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 89

Below Average vs Brazil Avg (100)

Housing Index 75

Affordable

Median Income R$40,800

Household income

Unemployment 8.5%

Job market health

Governador Valadares vs Brazil Average

Cost of Living
Governador Valadares: 89
Brazil Avg: 100
Housing Index
Governador Valadares: 75
Brazil Avg: 100

Taxes

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

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: R$40,800
  • Unemployment: 8.5%
  • Population: 281,046

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 200/year
  • Summer High: 88°F
  • Winter Low: 60°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7a

Housing

  • Median Home: R$220,000
  • 1BR Rent: R$1200/mo

Cost of Living

Governador Valadares's cost of living index is 89 (Brazil average = 100).

CategoryGovernador ValadaresNational AverageDifference
Overall89100-11.0%
Housing75100-25.0%

Data source: IBGE / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceR$220,000
Median Rent (1BR)R$1200/mo
Median Rent (2BR)R$1,500/mo
Price per Sq FtR$146

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 Governador Valadares:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityR$120
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)R$11Estimated 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$206Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: ANEEL, Sabesp, Anatel 2025

Remote Work Score

Governador Valadares scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
89
Rent
R$1200
Sunny Days
200
Tax
None
Unemployment
8.5%
Climate
88°F / 60°F
Safety
21.5 homicides/100k
Population
281,046
Internet Speed
90 Mbps

Climate

Governador Valadares has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January80°F60°F2.5"
April73°F75°F2.8"
July88°F63°F1.5"
October68°F78°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7a

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Governador Valadares 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 Governador Valadares 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.

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 Governador Valadares, Brazil?

The cost of living index in Governador Valadares is 89, which is Lower the Brazil national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Governador Valadares?

The median home price in Governador Valadares is R$220,000. The housing index is 75.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Governador Valadares is approximately R$1200/mo.

Does Governador Valadares, MG have income tax?

Governador Valadares is in MG, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Governador Valadares?

Governador Valadares enjoys approximately 200 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 88°F, while winter lows can drop to around 60°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.