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Sao Paulo
#97 of 124
South America

Sao Paulo

Brazil

Salary & Cost of Living

View purchasing power ranking

How do salaries and expenses in Sao Paulo compare to Calgary?

Purchasing Power Comparison

An engineer in Sao Paulo is 30% worse off vs in Calgary

This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Sao Paulo compared to Calgary, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.

Median Salary
$33,252
-$46K (-58%) vs Calgary
Based on 1289 data points from levels.fyi
Net Salary
$22,279
-$33K (-60%) vs Calgary
Tax Rate: 33%

Community Insights

New

São Paulo stands as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the Latin American tech scene, offering career growth and networking opportunities that no other city in the region can match. For software engineers, it presents a dynamic but intense environment: you gain access to a massive market of startups and big tech firms, world-class dining, and a 24/7 lifestyle. However, this comes at the cost of constant vigilance regarding personal safety and dealing with chaotic urban infrastructure. It is a city of extremes—offering both high-end luxury and grit. Professionals earning in foreign currency or holding senior local roles can live like royalty, bypassing many of the city's struggles, but the urban chaos and security risks remain a daily reality.

Resident Sentiment

Residents, especially transplants, have a love-hate relationship with the city. They are addicted to the convenience, food, and energy, frequently claiming they can't imagine living anywhere else in Brazil due to the lack of amenities elsewhere. However, there is a constant undercurrent of stress regarding safety; 'keeping your head on a swivel' is a common phrase. Many expats eventually leave due to the wear and tear of urban chaos (traffic and crime), but they almost universally praise the warmth of the people and the social bonds they formed.

Living Environment

Weather•Safety•Pollution•Events

A quick look at climate, safety, pollution, and tech community compared to Calgary.

Rankings

Cost of Living

Top 17%

#21

of 124 cities

28/100

Current value (lower is better)

Comfortable Weather

Top 19%

#24

of 124 cities

79/100 weather score

Current value

Community Events

Middle of the pack

#57

of 124 cities

5 events on luma

Current value

Housing Affordability

View affordability ranking

How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Sao Paulo compared to Calgary?

Avg. Property Price
$2,399 / m²
32% cheaper than Calgary
View detailed property prices on Numbeo

Salary Converter

Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Sao Paulo to maintain the same standard of living.

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Do you have kids?

Cost of Living
43% cheaper than Calgary
View detailed cost breakdown on Numbeo

Top Paying Companies in Sao Paulo

Uber logo
Uber
Amazon logo
Amazon
Google logo
Google

The Good

  • Dominant Tech Hub: Unrivaled status as the Silicon Valley of Latin America, hosting the majority of Brazil's startups, unicorns (like Nubank, Gympass), and major offices for global tech giants (Google, Uber, Meta).
  • Abundant Career Opportunities: A massive job market for developers, offering the highest volume of tech roles in the region, from early-stage startups to established enterprises.
  • High Local Purchasing Power: While salaries are lower than the US/Europe, senior engineering roles offer a very comfortable lifestyle relative to local costs, especially if working remotely for foreign currency.
  • Vibrant Cultural & Social Life: World-class gastronomy, diverse nightlife, and a cosmopolitan atmosphere that rivals global capitals like NYC or London.
  • Networking Ecosystem: Frequent tech meetups, hackathons, and conferences facilitate strong professional networking and knowledge exchange.
  • Expat-Friendly Neighborhoods: Areas like Pinheiros, Vila Madalena, and Itaim Bibi are safe, walkable, and packed with amenities, making them highly desirable for tech professionals.

The Bad

  • Safety Concerns: High rates of robbery and theft (especially of smartphones) require constant vigilance; residents often avoid using phones in public or walking alone at night in certain areas.
  • Traffic & Commute: Notorious gridlock traffic can make commuting a nightmare; living close to work or working remotely is considered essential by many to preserve mental health.
  • Pollution & Noise: The concrete jungle environment comes with poor air quality and significant noise pollution, with few quiet green spaces compared to the population density.
  • Cost of Living (Local): While cheap globally, it is the most expensive city in Brazil, with high rent prices in the safe/desirable neighborhoods favored by expats.
  • Language Barrier: While tech circles may speak English, Portuguese is essential for daily life, bureaucracy, and socializing outside the expat bubble.

The Verdict

You'll love it if...

Career-driven urbanites who thrive in fast-paced, chaotic environments and value professional growth over tranquility. It is ideal for single professionals or young couples who want to be at the center of the action, network with top talent, and enjoy a vibrant social life. Developers working remotely for US/European companies will find their purchasing power maximizes an incredible quality of life here (dining, services, housing).

Skip it if...

People who prioritize safety, tranquility, and nature above all else. If you get anxious about street crime or need wide-open green spaces and clean air to recharge, São Paulo will be draining. It is also challenging for families with young children who are not on a very high income, as navigating the city safely with kids often requires expensive private bubbles (schools, transport, gated communities).

Updated 11/29/2025

Weather7.9/10+103% vs Calgary
Safety30-52%
Pollution79+232%
Events5+67%
7.9/10TechCities weather score vs 3.9/10 in Calgary

0–10 composite (higher is better) combining temperature comfort, sunshine hours, rainy-day count, and humid days. See methodology for weighting and data sources.

Weather snapshot

Average High
25°C(vs 11°C in Calgary)
Average Low
17°C(vs 0°C in Calgary)
Sunshine Hours
1,894h/yr-503h/yr(-21%)
Hottest Month High
28°C(vs 23°C in Calgary)
Coldest Month Low
13°C(vs -11°C in Calgary)
Rainy Days
147/yr+103/yr(+230%)

Community & Quality

Sao Paulo community pulse

Sao Paulo has 5 Luma events listed.

67% more events than Calgary.

Home Affordability

Middle of the pack

#69

of 124 cities

≈8.6 yrs to buy 80m²

Current value

Tax Rate

Middle of the pack

#79

of 124 cities

33%

Current value (lower is better)

Purchasing Power

Bottom 23%

#97

of 124 cities

Net Income

Bottom 16%

#106

of 124 cities

$22,279/yr

Current value

Pollution Score

Bottom 10%

#113

of 124 cities

79.4/100

Current value (lower is better)

Safety Index

Bottom 4%

#120

of 124 cities

30/100

Current value

SWE Affordability
8.6 years
3.5 years longer than Calgary
Muggy Days
81/yr+81/yr(+Infinity%)
Cloud Cover
50%(vs 54% in Calgary)