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Recife vs Rio de Janeiro – Digital Nomad Guide

Trying to decide between Recife, Brazil and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil? Here's a detailed comparison to help digital nomads and remote workers make an informed choice.

💰 Cost of Living

Recife has a monthly cost of $2,270, which is 13.4% lower than Rio de Janeiro's $2,620.

🌐 Internet Infrastructure

For internet speeds, Recife offers 40 Mbps, while Rio de Janeiro provides 30 Mbps making Recife's connection 33.3% faster .

☀️ Current Weather

The weather in Recife is currently 28°C 🌧️, while Rio de Janeiro is experiencing 27°C 🌫️.

🛡️ Safety Comparison

Recife has a safety score of 45.0 , while Rio de Janeiro scores 43.0 .

Costs
$2,270
per month
Internet
40
Mbps
Weather
28° 🌧️
High today
Costs
$2,620
per month
Internet
30
Mbps
Weather
27° 🌫️
High today
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Overall Rio de Janeiro wins

61.0
Overall Score
65.0

Quality of Life

45.0
Safety
43.0
65.0
Healthcare
70.0

Rio de Janeiro is 5% better

Cost Recife wins

71.0
Cost of Living
61.0

Recife is 10% better

Climate Rio de Janeiro wins

52.0
Air Quality
56.0

Infrastructure

67.0
Internet Speed
68.0

Social Rio de Janeiro wins

73.0
Nightlife
88.0

Rio de Janeiro is 15% better

85.0
Culture
91.0

Rio de Janeiro is 6% better

81.0
Food Scene
80.0

Total Cost of Living Comparison

Category Recife Rio de Janeiro Difference
Monthly Total $2,270 $2,620 -13.4%
Daily Average $76 $87 per day

Housing

Item Recife Rio de Janeiro Difference
Apartment (1 bedroom) $350.00 per month $450.00 per month -22.2%

Daily Life

Item Recife Rio de Janeiro Difference
Coffee $1.50 per cup $1.50 per cup 0.0%

Transportation

Item Recife Rio de Janeiro Difference

Utilities

Item Recife Rio de Janeiro Difference
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Final Verdict: Recife vs Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro ranks as the better digital nomad destination, scoring 4.0% higher than Recife overall.

💰 Cost Analysis

  • Monthly Budget: $2,270 vs $2,620
  • Daily Expenses: $76 vs $87
  • Recife is 13.4% cheaper for digital nomads

🌐 Infrastructure

  • Internet Speed: Recife leads with 33% faster connection
  • Public Transport: Rio de Janeiro has better public transportation

🎯 Key Advantages

Recife Wins In:
  • Cost of Living (10% better)
Rio de Janeiro Wins In:
  • Healthcare (5% better)
  • Nightlife (15% better)
  • Culture (6% better)

💡 Final Recommendation

Choose Rio de Janeiro if you prioritize cost effectiveness and Healthcare. However, Recife might be preferable if Healthcare is your top priority. Both cities offer unique advantages for digital nomads, with distinct trade-offs in cost of living, infrastructure, and lifestyle options.

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