Cost of Living
#12
of 124 cities
24/100
Current value (lower is better)
#96 of 124
South America
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
Salary & Cost of Living
How do salaries and expenses in Rio de Janeiro compare to Bangkok?
Purchasing Power Comparison
An engineer in Rio de Janeiro is 15% worse off vs in Bangkok
This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Rio de Janeiro compared to Bangkok, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.
Net Salary
$19,142
-$10K (-34%) vs Bangkok
Tax Rate: 33%
Community Insights
NewRio de Janeiro offers a high-risk, high-reward proposition for software engineers. It is less of a traditional corporate tech hub like São Paulo and more of a lifestyle destination for remote workers and digital nomads. The city is currently trying to pivot its image with the Porto Maravalley initiative, aiming to retain talent and attract startups. However, the safety index remains a critical filter; what you gain in breathtaking views and cultural vibrancy, you pay for in the need for constant situational awareness. Financially, it is a powerhouse for those with foreign remote jobs, ranking well for cost of living, but local salaries trail behind global standards.
Resident Sentiment
The sentiment is polarized but generally passionate. Transplants who stay tend to fall in love with the "Carioca" way of life, citing that the beauty and culture outweigh the grit. However, there is a recurring theme of caution; residents frequently advise newcomers on specific "do's and don'ts" regarding safety (e.g., "don't look like a gringo," "Uber everywhere at night"). Those who leave often cite the mental toll of constant vigilance as the primary reason, despite missing the beaches and weather.
Rankings
Top 10%
Community Events
#61
of 124 cities
4 events on luma
Current value
Home Affordability
#61
of 124 cities
≈8.3 yrs to buy 80m²
Current value
Housing Affordability
How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Rio de Janeiro compared to Bangkok?
Salary Converter
Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Rio de Janeiro to maintain the same standard of living.
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