When my family and I decided to leave Brazil for Ireland, the decision wasn’t about cutting costs or chasing a cheaper life. I’m a Brazilian mother of a 12-year-old boy, married to a European citizen (my husband is Brazilian with Italian citizenship). We lived in São Paulo’s South Zone, one of the most expensive areas in the city, with an urban lifestyle and everything at our fingertips.
But our main motivation was safety and the dream of letting our son play outside with fewer worries than in Brazil. The crime rate in Brazil is much higher and, honestly, can’t be compared to Ireland. That was the goal: less fear, more freedom for our child.
When we arrived in Ireland, we lived for about 9 months with a relative who had been here for years. After that, we rented our own house. Only then did we get a truly realistic picture of what a small family like ours actually spends each month to live in Ireland and how it differs from Brazil.
Our family budget:
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We spend about €3,500 per month.
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Rent alone is €2,000 (for a house in a small Irish town, about 1h40 from Dublin).
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We have no interest in living in Dublin, because our move was all about safety, Dublin is increasingly reminding Brazilians of big-city insecurity.
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That leaves us with €1,500 for everything else: groceries, internet, electricity, gas, health insurance, pharmacy, a few takeaway meals, and whatever comes up during the month.
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We don’t live in luxury. We haven’t travelled since arriving here.
In Brazil, social inequality means families have very different spending realities. Our life in São Paulo would be seen as “upper middle class” by some, but we were actually just middle class, perspective is everything! In Brazil, I had a good health plan, lived in a nice neighbourhood, but our expenses were similar to now except that in Brazil, I had the extra cost of renting my art studio (much less than Irish rent), but we owned our apartment.
What was different in Brazil?
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More access and little luxuries:
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Frequent taxi rides
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Eating out every weekend
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Takeaway several times a month
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Annual trips to the beach or countryside
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My art studio three blocks from home
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São Paulo has more transport options—metro, buses, trains, taxis, Uber 24/7, countless shopping centres.
Honestly, life in São Paulo encouraged us to spend more, simply because everything is available and you’re always on the move. Ireland, even in small towns, feels like one big countryside, less hustle, fewer options, and a different lifestyle rhythm.
If I compare Ireland with the Brazilian countryside (where I never lived), maybe Ireland would be more expensive. But compared to São Paulo’s best neighbourhoods, Ireland is only slightly cheaper and that’s because I gave up some of my daily privileges.
My verdict?
A small town in Ireland, far from Dublin, is almost as expensive to live in as a major metropolis like São Paulo, especially when it comes to housing.
You gain in safety, but lose some of the convenience and luxury of big-city life.
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FAQ
Q: How much does it cost to live in Ireland?
A: For a small family in a small town, around €3,500/month—including €2,000 rent, plus groceries, utilities, and essentials.
Q: Is Ireland cheaper than Brazil?
A: Compared to São Paulo, Ireland is only a little cheaper—and only if you’re willing to give up some daily conveniences.
Q: Why did you choose Ireland over Brazil?
A: Safety and freedom for our child were the top priorities, not lower costs.
Q: Is Dublin more expensive than other cities?
A: Yes, Dublin is the most expensive city in Ireland, especially for housing.
