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City Profile

Manaus, Amazonas

Brazil · Comprehensive city data and intelligence

Compare Manaus Custom Comparison
60
Overall Score

Manaus, the capital of the Brazilian state of Amazonas, is a vibrant metropolis nestled in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. It stands as a significant economic and cultural hub for the region, situated near the confluence of the Negro and Amazon rivers. Known historically as the "Heart of the Amazon" and "City of the Forest," Manaus is a unique blend of natural beauty and industrial prowess. The city's main economic driver is the Manaus Industrial Pole (PIM), a Free Economic Zone that has attracted numerous multinational companies. People are drawn to Manaus for its strategic location, offering access to Brazil's market, and its unique position as a gateway to the Amazon rainforest, providing unparalleled opportunities for ecotourism and scientific research.

About Amazonas

Amazonas, Brazil, the largest Brazilian state by area, is predominantly covered by the Amazon rainforest, characterized by a hot, humid, tropical climate with average annual temperatures around 27°C (81°F) and distinct wet and dry seasons. The economy primarily revolves around the Manaus Free Trade Zone, which attracts manufacturing industries like electronics and motorcycles through tax incentives, though extractive industries such as Brazil nuts and rosewood oil also contribute. Living in the capital city, Manaus, offers a blend of urban amenities and unparalleled access to nature, with a cost of living generally considered affordable compared to other major Brazilian cities, averaging around $800 per month for a single person. Outside of Manaus, much of the state remains dense jungle, with many communities along navigable waterways accessible mainly by boat or plane, and a lifestyle often closely tied to traditional practices and the natural environment.

2,459,000
Population
$1K
Avg Salary
25
Cost Index
60.2
Quality Score
How this 60/100 was calculated five components, with every reading behind them
Component Readings used Points Weight Contributes
Safety Safety score: 28 / 100 28.0 30% 8.4
Affordability Cost of living index (100 = national baseline): 25.0 100.0 25% 25.0
Economy & jobs Median household income: no usable reading Income needed to live here: $1,263 Unemployment rate: 5.97% 50.4 20% 10.1
Growth Population growth rate: 1.65% Job growth rate: no usable reading 66.3 15% 9.9
Business climate assessment Business climate assessment: 68 / 100 68.0 10% 6.8
Overall score 60.2

Provenance. These figures were produced by the research pass recorded as Gemini (Tier 1 (fast), q=77), last refreshed 26 September 2026. They are researched estimates drawn from public sources, not a licensed data feed.

Each component is scored against fixed published endpoints, so this number is comparable with any other city and does not move as the dataset grows. Scoring framework 2026.10 — full methodology, weights and accepted ranges.

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Performance

Quality Scores

Business
68
Livability
74
Affordability
65
Growth
70

Expenses

Cost of Living

The average cost of living in Manaus is considered relatively inexpensive compared to many global cities. As of 2026, the estimated monthly cost for a single person is around $842, placing it among the top 29% of the least expensive cities worldwide. For a single person, common living costs including housing, food, and transport are estimated to be around $1,263 per month. Dining out can be quite affordable, with a meal at an inexpensive restaurant costing approximately $6, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant is around $28. Groceries are also generally lower in price compared to the United States. The cost of living index for Manaus is 25, indicating it is significantly less expensive than Los Angeles. These lower costs are primarily driven by more affordable housing and food prices compared to major international cities.

Average Rent
$645/mo
Groceries
$195/mo
Transport
$40/mo
Utilities
$122/mo
Gym membership (monthly)
$25.00
Cinema ticket
$6.00
Restaurant meal (mid-range)
$14.00
Monthly groceries
$195.00
1BR Apartment (city centre)
$645.00

Income

Salary Insights

Manaus's economy is largely driven by its Industrial Pole (PIM), a Free Economic Zone that hosts around 600 high-tech industries. This zone offers significant tax incentives, such as an 88% reduction in import duty and no taxes for industrial goods, making Manaus a strategic location for global companies. Key sectors include electronics, IT goods, two-wheelers (motorcycles), naval, mechanical, metallurgical, and thermoplastic industries. Major employers include companies like BMW, Honda, and various electronics manufacturers. The city is also a hub for innovation and research, particularly in bioeconomy and sustainable development, with institutions like the Sidia Institute of Science and Technology playing a crucial role in developing digital solutions. While specific job growth rates for Manaus are not readily available, the presence of a robust industrial park and ongoing investments in technology and sustainability suggest a dynamic job market. The average monthly net salary in Manaus is around $529 as of 2026.

The average salary in Manaus is $529 per year. You would need approximately $1,263 to live comfortably.

Employment

Top Industries

Tourism Metallurgy Chemicals Electronics Manufacturing Two-Wheeler Vehicle Production

Weather

Climate

🌡️
28°C
Avg Temp
☀️
31°C
Summer High
❄️
25°C
Winter Low
🌧️
91.30"
Annual Rain
💧
%
Humidity
🌤️
122
Sunny Days

Mobility

Transport

Getting around Manaus requires some consideration, with a mix of public transit, ride-hailing services, and car dependency. Public buses are available and inexpensive, though not always ideal for visitors unfamiliar with the city, especially at night. Ride-hailing apps like Uber and 99 are generally recommended for safer and more convenient travel, particularly for nighttime movements or between different zones. While specific transit and walkability scores are not readily available, the city's layout and the presence of a large urban area suggest a medium car dependency. The average commute time is not explicitly stated, but traffic can be a factor in a city of this size. Riverboats and speedboats are crucial for accessing many ecological attractions and are an integral part of transportation in the Amazonian context.

min
Avg Commute
/10
Transit Score
/10
Walkability
Medium
Car Dependency
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At a Glance

Pros & Cons

Advantages
Manaus is a strategic access point to Brazil's market due to its Free Trade Zone, offering significant tax incentives for businesses.
The city is a major hub for scientific studies and innovation in the Amazon region, particularly in bioeconomy and sustainable development.
Manaus offers a relatively low cost of living compared to many global cities, with affordable housing and food prices.
The city serves as the primary gateway for Amazon river cruises and jungle tours, providing unique ecotourism opportunities.
Manaus boasts a rich cultural heritage with iconic landmarks like the Teatro Amazonas and vibrant local markets.
Drawbacks
Manaus has a high perceived level of crime, with concerns about petty theft, phone snatching, and robberies.
Safety walking alone at night is perceived as very low in Manaus.
Health preparation for Manaus is stricter than for coastal Brazilian destinations, requiring specific vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis.
Public transportation can be challenging for visitors unfamiliar with the city, especially at night.
The median after-tax salary in Manaus is relatively low, at $505, which may limit purchasing power for some residents.

Head to Head

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Community Q&A

Questions about Manaus

What people ask about living in and moving to Manaus, Amazonas.

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Gathering the most common questions about Manaus…

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

The consumer market basket tracks everyday necessities, including staple grocery items (such as milk, bread, eggs, and produce), residential energy bills (electricity, gas, and water), public and private transit costs, routine outpatient medical care, and standard consumer goods and services to ensure a representative monthly budget.

Even in close geographic proximity, local tax jurisdictions, municipal utility rates, zoning laws, and micro-housing markets can create wide cost discrepancies. For example, a city with strict land-use regulations or higher local sales taxes will typically exhibit elevated housing and consumer goods costs compared to an adjacent county with looser zoning and lower tax burdens.

Even in close geographic proximity, local tax jurisdictions, municipal utility rates, zoning laws, and micro-housing markets can create wide cost discrepancies. For example, a city with strict land-use regulations or higher local sales taxes will typically exhibit elevated housing and consumer goods costs compared to an adjacent county with looser zoning and lower tax burdens.

Local tax climates significantly shift a city's affordability score by directly affecting disposable income. Urblytica factors in state income tax brackets, local municipal property tax millage rates, and combined sales taxes to measure the true tax drag on median household earnings.

Core economic indexes and consumer price metrics undergo a comprehensive quarterly recalibration. This update cycle integrates the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, municipal utility rate adjustments, and regional housing data feeds to ensure all index comparisons reflect current economic conditions.

Housing is weighted as the single largest component in Urblytica's cost-of-living algorithm, typically accounting for roughly 30% to 35% of the composite score. It incorporates both median monthly gross rent and median single-family home purchase prices relative to local median income levels.

Normalization involves adjusting raw economic inputs against localized purchasing power parities (PPPs) and population-weighted density scales. This ensures fair, apples-to-apples comparisons between dense metropolitan hubs and smaller suburban or rural towns.

Utility indexing applies a rolling annual average that captures seasonal climate variations, such as increased summer air conditioning loads in southern climates or heavier winter heating demands in northern regions, providing a realistic year-round average utility expense.

Remote workers leverage the index to calculate real purchasing power parity when moving from a high-cost-of-living area to a lower-cost region. By comparing index differentials against their fixed salary, users can determine if their net savings and lifestyle quality will improve post-relocation.

While the raw Cost of Living Index measures pure expense levels, it is frequently paired with Urblytica’s local wage index and median household income benchmarks. This combined view highlights whether local salaries keep pace with local consumer goods and housing expenses.

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