Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities โบ Puerto Vallarta vs Rio de Janeiro
Puerto Vallarta vs Rio de Janeiro cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated September 2026
๐ฒ๐ฝ Puerto Vallarta
๐ง๐ท Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro is 13% cheaper than Puerto Vallarta
Living on $3,248 a month in Puerto Vallarta feels like about $2,821 in Rio de Janeiro โ same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$193 vs $166
Per month
$3,248 vs $2,821
Local meal
MX$ 150 vs R$ 43
$8.06 vs $7.96
Taxi 5 km
MX$ 130 vs R$ 43
$6.99 vs $7.96
At a glance
Foodsimilar
Cafรฉs & drinksRio de Janeiro 15% cheaper
TransportPuerto Vallarta 13% cheaper
StayRio de Janeiro 21% cheaper
Funsimilar
- Where Rio de Janeiro is clearly cheaper: Hotel night (23%โ), Studio rent (month) (20%โ), Beer (15%โ)
- Where Puerto Vallarta is clearly cheaper: Transit (25%โ)
Item by item
| Item | Puerto Vallarta | Rio de Janeiro | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | MX$ 150$8.06 | R$ 43$7.96 | similar |
| Street food1 item | MX$ 68$3.66 | R$ 19$3.52 | similar |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | MX$ 410$22 | R$ 120$22.2 | similar |
| Coffeeone cup | MX$ 56$3.01 | R$ 14$2.59 | Rio de Janeiro โ14% |
| Beerone bottle | MX$ 65$3.49 | R$ 16$2.96 | Rio de Janeiro โ15% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | MX$ 170$9.14 | R$ 42$7.78 | Rio de Janeiro โ15% |
| Bottled water | MX$ 18$0.97 | R$ 5$0.93 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | MX$ 45$2.42 | R$ 13$2.41 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | MX$ 130$6.99 | R$ 43$7.96 | Puerto Vallarta โ12% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | MX$ 86$4.62 | R$ 25$4.63 | similar |
| Transitone ride | MX$ 13$0.7 | R$ 5$0.93 | Puerto Vallarta โ25% |
| Scooter rentalper day | MX$ 530$28.5 | R$ 160$29.6 | similar |
| Hotel night3-star | MX$ 2,200$118 | R$ 490$90.7 | Rio de Janeiro โ23% |
| Studio rent (month) | MX$ 15,000$806 | R$ 3,500$648 | Rio de Janeiro โ20% |
| Laundry | MX$ 37$1.99 | R$ 11$2.04 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | MX$ 190$10.2 | R$ 54$10 | similar |
| Haircutcut | MX$ 220$11.8 | R$ 67$12.4 | similar |
| Massage1 hour | MX$ 640$34.4 | R$ 190$35.2 | similar |
| Half-day tourper person | MX$ 860$46.2 | R$ 250$46.3 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | MX$ 190$10.2 | R$ 54$10 | similar |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Puerto Vallarta or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro is 13% cheaper than Puerto Vallarta. Daily budget $193 vs $166; a month $3,248 vs $2,821.
How do monthly costs compare between Puerto Vallarta and Rio de Janeiro?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Puerto Vallarta is about $3,248 and Rio de Janeiro about $2,821 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.