How Much I’ve Spent on Housing While Living in Brazil as Full-Time Solo Nomad

One thing I’ve learned while traveling through Brazil is that housing prices can shift drastically depending on the city, season, neighborhood, and even what week you arrive. A lot of people assume moving abroad automatically means everything is cheap, but honestly… that depends on your standards, your location, and how you like to live.

For me personally, I prefer having my own space. I like being near the water, being able to walk around safely, work comfortably, cook when I want to, and enjoy the environment I’m in. Since I create content full-time, write daily, run my businesses online, and spend a lot of time inside my apartment editing, teaching, and working, where I stay matters a lot to me.

So I wanted to break down exactly how much I’ve spent on housing while living in Brazil so far because I know many people are curious about the numbers behind full-time travel.

My first stop was Rio de Janeiro during Carnaval, which already tells you everything you need to know before i mention the numbers lol. Housing prices during Carnaval are significantly higher because the city becomes packed with tourists from all over the world. Between the 3 different places I stayed across 10 days, I spent a little over $1,000 total. (In Copacabana area, Ilha Grande, and Santa Teresa). Could I have found something cheaper? Probably. Did I want to share bathrooms, sleep in hostels, or stay extremely far away from the areas I wanted to experience? Absolutely not lol.

After Rio, I moved to São Paulo and stayed in the Liberdade community for one month. I paid $950 for a studio apartment located in the center of the neighborhood. Honestly, I loved the convenience of being able to walk around easily, grab food nearby, and experience the energy of the city firsthand. I only had to use transportation when I was going to a class or a party. São Paulo felt extremely busy compared to Salvador, but I enjoyed the experience and I’m glad I stayed directly in the area instead of farther outside the city. I had a beautiful view of the skyline.

Then I moved to Salvador, which has honestly become one of my favorite places I’ve experienced in Brazil so far.

My first neighborhood there was Barra, and for 16 days I paid around $700 for a one-bedroom apartment. I was about a 5-minute walk from the beach, but I could still see the water from my apartment, which immediately made the space feel worth it to me. There’s something about waking up near the ocean that changes your entire mood and nervous system. Especially when you’re coming from a fast-paced, stressed lifestyle in the United States. During this time, I did spend a couple of days on an island for my birthday… I documented it HERE

After Barra, I moved to the Armação community into a beachfront studio directly across from the water. That apartment cost me $1,300 for the month. It was definitely the most expensive place I’ve stayed in Salvador (outside of Barra if I would’ve stayed a full month), but the direct beach access and view made a huge difference in the experience. Sitting outside hearing the waves while working on my businesses honestly felt surreal most days.

Now I’m currently staying in Itapuã, and this has probably been one of the best value apartments I’ve had so far. I paid $675 for the month for a studio apartment located about a 4-minute walk from the beach, and I can still see the water from my patio. The biggest reason it was less expensive is because Brazil is currently entering its slower season and winter months, so prices have dropped compared to Carnaval and peak tourist season.

One thing I’m realizing while traveling full-time is that housing becomes a balancing act between comfort, safety, aesthetics, location, and budget. Could I spend less? Absolutely. There are people backpacking through Brazil spending a fraction of what I spend monthly. Some people stay in hostels, rent rooms, split apartments, or stay farther outside the city centers. I just personally know that having peace, privacy, and comfort helps me function better mentally and creatively.

Especially as a woman traveling solo full-time.

Honestly, I think one of the biggest misconceptions people have about moving abroad is assuming everyone is living some ultra-cheap luxury lifestyle for pennies. Sometimes you can absolutely save money abroad, especially compared to major U.S. cities, but your lifestyle choices still matter. Living near beaches, staying in tourist-friendly neighborhoods, booking through Airbnb, and moving frequently between cities all increase costs.

Even with that being said, I still spend less in some parts of Brazil than I did living in the United States full-time, especially considering the views and walkability I’ve had access to here. My rent was almost $1800 in Tennessee, for a 1st-floor luxury apartment and a view of a man-made lake.

Before leaving Brazil, I’m hoping to visit Recife and São Luís as well. I’ve heard beautiful things about both cities, especially their culture, architecture, beaches, and energy, so I’m really hoping I can make both happen before it’s time for my next country. I’ll update of costs once I experience them.

Checkout this post that goes into how I find housing HERE. Make sure to sign up for my newsletter to stay up to date on new blog posts!