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Cost of Living in Santa Maria

Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil · Population 285,159

▲ +0% vs Brazil average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)R$2,414 ($447)
Couple, monthlyR$4,288 ($794)
Family of four, monthlyR$5,549 ($1,028)

Estimated Prices in Santa Maria

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurantR$25.76 ($4.77)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-rangeR$103 ($19.08)per meal
CappuccinoR$7.73 ($1.43)each
Monthly groceries (single person)R$584 ($108)per month
Monthly public transport passR$94.45 ($17.49)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartmentR$249 ($46.11)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)R$72.12 ($13.36)per month
Fitness club membershipR$72.12 ($13.36)per month
Cinema ticketR$18.89 ($3.50)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centreR$1,002 ($186)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centreR$697 ($129)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centreR$2,091 ($387)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Santa Maria is R$3,721 ($689) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of R$2,414 ($447) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly R$3,138 ($581) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (R$697 ($129)) represents about 29% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Santa Maria

Santa Maria vs São PauloSanta Maria vs Rio de JaneiroSanta Maria vs Belo HorizonteSanta Maria vs FortalezaSanta Maria vs BrasíliaSanta Maria vs Teresina

Nearby Cities

São Pedro do Sul

37 km away · Rio Grande do Sul

Restinga Sêca

44 km away · Rio Grande do Sul

Júlio de Castilhos

52 km away · Rio Grande do Sul

Agudo

55 km away · Rio Grande do Sul

São Sepé

58 km away · Rio Grande do Sul

Tupanciretã

67 km away · Rio Grande do Sul

Arroio do Tigre

79 km away · Rio Grande do Sul

São Gabriel

88 km away · Rio Grande do Sul

Other Major Cities in Brazil

São Paulo

São Paulo · pop. 23,086,000

R$3,006 ($557) / mo

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro · pop. 12,592,000

R$2,956 ($547) / mo

Belo Horizonte

Minas Gerais · pop. 5,328,000

R$2,956 ($547) / mo

Fortaleza

Ceará · pop. 4,167,996

R$2,610 ($483) / mo

Brasília

Distrito Federal · pop. 2,996,899

R$2,610 ($483) / mo

Teresina

Piauí · pop. 2,729,527

R$2,610 ($483) / mo

Salvador

Bahia · pop. 2,417,678

R$2,610 ($483) / mo

Manaus

Amazonas · pop. 2,303,732

R$2,610 ($483) / mo

Living in Santa Maria

Santa Maria is one of the key cities in Brazil. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is R$2,414 ($447), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around R$697 ($129) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to R$5,549 ($1,028) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately R$4,288 ($794) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Santa Maria is R$3,721 ($689). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least R$3,138 ($581) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Santa Maria expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated R$2,414 ($447) per month in Santa Maria including rent outside the city centre. That is 0% more than the national average for Brazil.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Santa Maria?
A net salary of around R$3,138 ($581) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Santa Maria with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Santa Maria is R$3,721 ($689).
How much is rent in Santa Maria?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated R$1,002 ($186) per month in the city centre and R$697 ($129) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about R$2,091 ($387).
Is Santa Maria cheaper than Brazil on average?
No — Santa Maria is estimated to be about 0% more expensive than the Brazil average, mainly due to housing demand.
What is the cost of groceries in Santa Maria?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at R$584 ($108) in Santa Maria. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about R$26 ($5) and a cappuccino runs around R$8 ($1).
How do transport costs in Santa Maria compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Santa Maria is estimated at R$94 ($17). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Santa Maria are estimates based on Brazil national averages adjusted for city size (population 285,159). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.