Recife, Brazil

Cost of Living in Recife, Brazil

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Recife costs approximately $787 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $480. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Recife is a city in Brazil, where a single person can expect to spend about $787 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $480 per month, or $251 outside the centre. Internet is solid at around 143 Mbps median download speed, and Brazil offers a digital nomad visa. On safety, Recife scores 25/100 — below average on safety for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 88°F and winter highs around 82°F, with roughly 300 sunny days a year.

Digital nomad visaLGBTQ+ friendlyFamily friendly
Monthly Cost$787≈ $26/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$480
Internet143 Mbps
Safety25/100
Avg Temp85°F

Recife Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$4.22
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$31.67
McDonald's Combo Meal$7.68
Cappuccino$2.15
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$1.54
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$0.60

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.15
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$1.44
Eggs (12)$2.23
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$1.96
Apples (1 lb)$0.70
Bananas (1 lb)$0.52
Tomatoes (1 lb)$0.54
Potatoes (1 lb)$0.63
Water (1.5L Bottle)$0.85
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$7.68
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$1.73

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$0.81
Monthly Transit Pass$36.95
Taxi Start$1.19
Taxi (1 Mile)$1.17
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.19
VW Golf (New)$22,819.58

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$112.76
Mobile Phone Plan$12.45
Broadband Internet$16.48

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$20.47
Cinema Ticket$6.72
Preschool (Monthly)$271.91
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$11,458.73

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$35.51
Nike Running Shoes$73.42

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$479.63
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$251.20
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$858.45
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$599.62
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$177.63
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$95.37

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$413.13
Mortgage Interest Rate11.75%
Family of 4 (Monthly, excl. rent)$1,903.80
Single Person (Monthly, excl. rent)$535.40

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Recife

Internet143 Mbps
Safety25/100
Healthcare52/100
Public Transit40/100
Walkability52/100
Nightlife75/100
Food Scene80/100
Fine Dining0/100
Coffee Culture30/100
Air Quality72/100
Green Spaces55/100
Culture82/100
Beaches85/100
Hiking15/100
Surfing55/100
Coworking Spaces22
US Visa-Free90 days

Recife FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Recife?

A single person should budget around $787 per month in Recife, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $1,904 per month.

How much is rent in Recife?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Recife averages $480 per month, dropping to about $251 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $858.

Is Recife safe?

Recife scores 25/100 on safety, which is below average on safety. Tourist safety is rated 35/100.

How fast is the internet in Recife?

Median download speeds in Recife are around 143 Mbps — solid for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 22 coworking spaces in the city.

Does Brazil offer a digital nomad visa?

Yes — Brazil offers a digital nomad visa. US passport holders can typically stay 90 days visa-free before applying.

What is the weather like in Recife?

Recife sees summer highs around 88°F and winter highs near 82°F, with about 300 sunny days and 120 rainy days per year.

Visa Requirements for Brazil

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