Skyline of Rio Branco
Cost of Living: 86 419,452

Rio Branco, Brazil

The westernmost state capital of Brazil, surrounded by Amazon rainforest and known for its rubber history and cultural diversity.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 86

Below Average vs Brazil Avg (100)

Housing Index 70

Affordable

Median Income R$34,800

Household income

Unemployment 12.0%

Job market health

Rio Branco vs Brazil Average

Cost of Living
Rio Branco: 86
Brazil Avg: 100
Housing Index
Rio Branco: 70
Brazil Avg: 100

Taxes

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

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: R$34,800
  • Unemployment: 12.0%
  • Population: 419,452

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 75/year
  • Summer High: 92°F
  • Winter Low: 70°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7b

Housing

  • Median Home: R$170,000
  • 1BR Rent: R$1000/mo

Cost of Living

Rio Branco's cost of living index is 86 (Brazil average = 100).

CategoryRio BrancoNational AverageDifference
Overall86100-14.0%
Housing70100-30.0%

Data source: IBGE / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceR$170,000
Median Rent (1BR)R$1000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)R$1,250/mo
Price per Sq FtR$113

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 Rio Branco:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityR$120
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)R$77Estimated 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$272Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: ANEEL, Sabesp, Anatel 2025

Remote Work Score

Rio Branco scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
86
Rent
R$1000
Sunny Days
75
Tax
None
Unemployment
12.0%
Climate
92°F / 70°F
Safety
21.5 homicides/100k
Population
419,452
Internet Speed
90 Mbps

Climate

Rio Branco has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January90°F70°F2.5"
April77°F85°F2.8"
July92°F67°F1.5"
October72°F88°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7b

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Rio Branco 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 12.0%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Rio Branco 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 Rio Branco, Brazil?

The cost of living index in Rio Branco is 86, which is Lower the Brazil national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Rio Branco?

The median home price in Rio Branco is R$170,000. The housing index is 70.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Rio Branco is approximately R$1000/mo.

Does Rio Branco, AC have income tax?

Rio Branco is in AC, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Rio Branco?

Rio Branco enjoys approximately 75 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 92°F, while winter lows can drop to around 70°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.