What is the cost of living in Recife?

The cost of living in Recife is 79.4% cheaper than New York City (index: 20.6). Groceries are 71.4% cheaper than NYC. Restaurants are 66.6% cheaper than NYC. A 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre costs approximately BRL 2,574 per month. Local purchasing power index is 36.6 (NYC = 100).

How much tax do you pay in Brazil?

In Brazil, a gross salary of BRL 285,800 per year results in approximately BRL 17,459 per month take-home pay after income tax and social contributions (effective rate: 26.7%). Use our Brazil tax calculator for a personalised breakdown.

🇧🇷 Brazil · #495 of 577 cities · 2026

Should I Move to Recife?

Q: Should I move to Recife?

Recife, Brazil has a cost of living 79.4% cheaper than New York City (index: 20.6). It is ranked #495 out of 577 cities globally. Local purchasing power is weak (index: 36.6 vs NYC = 100). Workers in Brazil earning BRL 285,800 gross take home approximately BRL 17,459/month after tax. Use our salary comparison calculator to see exactly how your take-home pay would change.

79.4% cheaper to live here than in New York City.

Run the calculator below with your actual salary to get a personalised answer.

-79.4%

vs NYC

BRL 2,574

1-BR, city centre

BRL 17,459

Net take-home

Weak

Purchasing Power

Cost index: Numbeo, blended with Expatistan and LivingCost where available (NYC = 100) · Data from March – October 2026

Personalised Answer

Compare your salary: move to Recife?

Example: BRL 285,800 gross/year in Brazil → BRL 17,459/month net after tax (26.7% effective rate). Full Brazil tax breakdown →

Cost breakdown: Recife

Cost indices vs NYC = 100

Cost of Living

20.6 Affordable

Rent

10.2 Very affordable

Groceries

28.6 Very affordable

Restaurants

33.4 Very affordable

Purchasing Power

36.6 Weak

Rent in Recife

1-BR, city centre BRL 2,574/mo

1-BR, outside centre BRL 1,303/mo

3-BR, city centre BRL 4,452/mo

3-BR, outside centre BRL 3,109/mo

Save by going outside centre 49% cheaper

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

Brazil take-home pay

BRL 285,800 → BRL 17,459/Net take-home (26.7% effective rate, single filer)

Full Brazil tax calculator →

Considering alternatives?

Cities in the same country or region with a comparable cost of living.

🇧🇷 Fortaleza

Brazil

CoL index 20.5

Compare Fortaleza vs Recife →

🇧🇷 Salvador

Brazil

CoL index 21.0

Compare Salvador vs Recife →

🇧🇷 Campinas

Brazil

CoL index 21.2

Compare Campinas vs Recife →

Ready to run the numbers?

Enter your salary and current city. Get exact take-home pay in Recife after tax, in seconds.

Compare salaries → Full cost of living data

Relocation Toolkit

Trusted services for your move

Health insurance for living abroad

Nomad Insurance by SafetyWing: medical cover designed for people working and living outside their home country. Flexible monthly subscription, cancel any time.

Get covered with SafetyWing

Secure your connection in your new city

NordVPN keeps your data safe on public Wi-Fi, lets you access content from home, and is a must-have for remote workers abroad.

Get NordVPN

We may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.