Brisbane vs Sao Paulo: cost of living for digital nomads

Brisbane, Australia and Sao Paulo, Brazil, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.

The short version

  • Sao Paulo is about 41% cheaper than Brisbane for a month of nomad living ($1,600 vs $2,715).
  • Rent is the biggest gap: $720 in Sao Paulo against $1,350 in Brisbane.
  • Brisbane scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 6/10).
  • Internet is faster in Brisbane: 220 Mbps typical against 150 Mbps.
  • Brisbane is tropical; Sao Paulo is temperate.

Brisbane wins 2 of the measured lines; Sao Paulo wins 6.

LineBrisbaneSao Paulo
Monthly total (USD)$2,715$1,600
Rent$1,350$720
Food$590$430
Transport$85$55
Coworking$180$130
Safety (out of 10)8/106/10
Internet (Mbps)220150
Climatetropicaltemperate
City sizemetrometro
Settingcoastinland
Nomad score (out of 10)7/108/10

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Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Check the city pages for the dates each was last verified.