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Grocery Prices in Brazil in August 2026

RULATAM city price survey in Rio de Janeiro, a basket of 50 products has risen to 1,156.20 BRL / 223.38 USD.

For the month, basket prices rose 0.5%; the current basket costs BRL 1,156.20. Prices are checked from August 20 to 28 for everyday retail goods; so the cost of living in Brazil is tracked over time, not by anecdotal impressions.

August 2026
Main output

How much did a basic urban basket cost in Rio de Janeiro?

RULATAM city price survey in Rio de Janeiro, a basket of 50 products has risen to 1 170.80 BRL / 225.56 USD.

period:August 2026Brazil-50 history begins in June 2026
comparison:+0,4%by July 2026, in BRL; USD +0.1%
USD exchange rate:5,18BRL/USD for recalculation
Brazil 50:1 170,80BRL · 225,56 USD

What the measurement shows

During the month, prices in the basket increased by 0.4%; the current basket costs 1 170.80 BRL. Prices are checked from 20 to 25 August for everyday retail goods; so the cost of living in Brazil is tracked over time, not by anecdotal impressions.

The methodology, categories and full price table are published below.

Prices in Brazil in August 2026. RULATAM city price survey in Rio de Janeiro, a basket of 50 products has risen to 1,156.20 BRL / 223.38 USD.

Key Points in This Release

This is the first release of RULATAM Brazil 50. Rio de Janeiro is the starting measurement: a large recognizable city with a strong retail and practical relevance for foreigners. One city price survey does not describe the whole of Brazil, but gives a comparable point of reference to other RULATAM Price countries.

What's published

The archive preserves the output and a limited comparative sample, the complete basket and the complete price register are internal RULATAM data.

How Prices Are Collected

Collection period: From August 20 to August 28, 2026, the survey takes place in Rio de Janeiro; it's the price of the city, not the national average.

Sources of release: Carrefour, Extra Mercado, Zona Sul, Drogasil and other online and offline trading platforms, including delivery services.

In this release, 94 percent of the items are confirmed by public online prices, 6 percent by photos, checks, receipts or manual on-site checks, and all 50 lines are cross-checked by editorial review, which compares product, packaging, weight, unit of measurement, availability and deviation from the previous release.

For each item, the minimum current retail price of a comparable product is searched for; a share per unit is allowed without a club card; discounts for several products are excluded; offers for two for the price of one, personal and club prices are not counted; price per kilogram is priority for bulk goods; inappropriate packaging is normalized only by a fixed rule.

Some of the retail prices are not published online: these lines are confirmed by local volunteers with photos, checks and receipts, the source and the screenshot are stored in the release register. The index is not an official cost of living statistic.

Compare Prices in Other Countries
Argentina199,86 USDBrazil212,83 USDPanama211,53 USDUruguay282,03 USDParaguay202,25 USDCosta Rica346,36 USD

Largest Price Increase and Decrease

Largest increase: Marlboro cigarettes, +19.6% compared to the previous release.

Largest decrease: Vegetable oil, -6.7% compared to the previous release.

History Price Archive Open →

Survey Summary

TOTAL FOR 50 ITEMS 223 USD You need to buy 50 standard goods in Brazil
Working hours:157 hoursYou need to work to buy products from the index in Brazil
Coffee cup index:48 cupsEquivalent to the value of 50 index goods in Brazil
Country Publications about life in Brazil Open →
RULATAM sign How to read How to Read the Index

We've been monitoring prices in Latin America since 2016. In 2026, Brazil joined the monitoring network, which is measured in Rio de Janeiro. The standard basket of 50 products is the same for all countries in which RULATAM operates: it helps to quickly compare the cost of living in different countries.

The index is checked by the locals, and if you want to participate in the development of a project in your city, fill out the volunteer questionnaire.

Become a Volunteer
RULATAM Receiving a residence permit and citizenship of Brazil Open →

Frequently Asked Questions

In 2026, the cost of living in Brazil is 1 156,20 BRLor 223,38 USD at an exchange rate of 5,18 BRL/USD It's an index of consumer items, not a full monthly living budget in Brazil.

The index includes 50 comparable goods and services: foods, drinks, meats, vegetables and fruits, groceries, dairy products, household chemicals, hygiene, basic pharmacy goods, gasoline, coffee, cigarettes and Big Mac. The index excludes housing rent, utility payments, medicine, schools, taxes and flights.

For release for August 2026, prices are considered by city Rio de Janeiro.

Want to know what these prices mean for your family?

At RULATAM, you can compare Latin American countries based on your income, family comitem, terms, documents and real expenses, not just the basic basket.

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Monthly dynamics are calculated on 32 out of 50 items with an unchanged base of comparison; the remaining items received a new comparable base after normalization.