Sydney vs Brasília
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Brasília is ~74% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Sydney
Australia
COL+Rent
69.7
Rent Index
54.9
Groceries
86.8
Restaurant
78.3
Brasília
Brazil
COL+Rent
17.9
Rent Index
7.2
Groceries
28.5
Restaurant
23.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Sydney | Brasília | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,442 | $302 | +$2,140 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,822 | $191 | +$1,631 |
| Groceries | $483 | $185 | +$298 |
| Restaurant Meal | $25 | $8 | +$17 |
| Transit Pass | $114 | $38 | +$76 |
| Utilities | $171 | $48 | +$123 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Sydney | Brasília |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,545/mo | $439/mo |
| Typical | $3,585/mo | $693/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,423/mo | $895/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Sydney | ≈ in Brasília | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $385/mo | -$1,115 |
| $2,000/mo | $514/mo | -$1,486 |
| $3,000/mo | $770/mo | -$2,230 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Sydney vs Brasília for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Brasília is approximately 74% more affordable than Sydney when combining rent and daily living costs. Sydney's COL+Rent Index of 69.7 vs Brasília's 17.9 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Sydney costs $2,442/month versus $302/month in Brasília — giving Brasília a $2,140/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $25,680 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Sydney ($483/mo) vs Brasília ($185/mo) reflect Brasília's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $25 vs $8 show Brasília offers cheaper dining. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Brasília offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $693 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.