Brazil Weekly Budget — What I Spend in a Week as a Solo Traveler Living in Brazil Short-term
Living in Salvador, Brazil has honestly been one of the most affordable experiences I’ve had while traveling full-time, especially coming from the United States where it felt like every little errand somehow turned into a $100 trip lol. One of the things I’ve been paying attention to while living here is how much my weekly expenses actually are because people constantly ask me if it’s “really cheaper” to live abroad.
For me, the answer has been yes… but I also think it depends on your lifestyle, where you stay, and how often you move around the city.
When it comes to food, I don’t eat out every single day. I usually eat out about 3–4 times a week, and most of my meals range between $15–20 USD. The thing is though, the portions here are usually large enough for me to split into two meals, so one restaurant order typically covers lunch and dinner. That alone saves me a lot of money because I’m not constantly buying food throughout the day.
Outside of eating out, I grocery shop about every two weeks. Depending on what I need, I spend anywhere between $50–100 USD total. If I’m only buying food and small household items, it’s usually on the lower end. If I need things like air freshener, cleaning products, toiletries, or extra imported items, the price climbs quickly. Averaged out weekly, I probably spend around $40 per week on groceries and needed items.
Transportation is where I noticed the biggest difference depending on the neighborhood I lived in.
When I lived in Barra and Armação, Uber was extremely affordable for me. Most rides were around $5 USD on average, and even my “expensive” rides were usually no more than $9 each way. During that time, I was taking Ubers about 3–4 days a week because I was going to outings, restaurants, events, and aerial classes pretty often.
Now that I’m living in Itapuã, which is much closer to the airport, transportation costs are definitely higher. Going downtown can easily cost around $12 USD one way, and last weekend my ride back was almost $30 USD because of traffic and timing. That honestly humbled me a little because I had gotten used to the cheaper rides from the other neighborhoods lol. Its important to note that the prices would be cheaper if you use public transportation also.
Thankfully, I just moved to my current place about a week ago and I already know I’m probably going to stay in more than I was before. One thing I do like about this area is that I have a small mercado right next to me, which cuts down on transportation costs for quick grocery runs. The larger grocery store costs me around $4–5 USD to get there and another $5 USD coming back, especially if I have bags.
The mercado next door is slightly more expensive, but honestly sometimes paying a little extra nearby is still cheaper than paying for an Uber there and back. Convenience starts winning when you’re carrying water bottles and groceries in the Brazilian heat lol.
So overall, Salvador has been very manageable for me financially, especially compared to my previous cost of living in the United States. I still think people romanticize moving abroad without realizing your lifestyle matters more than the country itself. If you constantly go out, live in tourist-heavy neighborhoods, order delivery daily, and move around nonstop, your expenses can climb quickly. If you slow down a little, shop local, and become familiar with your area, the costs become much easier to manage.
Approximate Weekly Spending in Salvador, Brazil
• Eating Out (3–4 meals weekly): $45–80 USD
• Groceries (weekly average): $40 USD
• Uber/Transportation (depending on neighborhood & outings): $30–75 USD
Estimated Weekly Total:
Approximately $115–195 USD per week depending on neighborhood, lifestyle, outings, and transportation method & price surges.