It doesn’t matter whether you prefer to live in the metropolis or in the middle of nature: there’s a city in São Paulo that’s perfect for you. That’s why we’ve put together the best cities to live in SP according to the profile of each resident, helping you to make a decision that’s tailored to your lifestyle.
From the cheapest city to live in to the safest or mostsustainable, here are some cities in the state of São Paulo that attract residents because of their unique advantages. For families, young people or retirees!
7 best cities to live in São Paulo!
Campinas: the countryside that never stops
With over 1 million inhabitants, Campinas is the most populous municipality in the interior of São Paulo. As such, it’s one of the best cities if you want to get away from São Paulo without completely detaching yourself from the routine of the metropolis! As well as being one of the largest university, economic and technological hubs in the state, Campinas also offers quality of life and modern infrastructure, with gastronomic, cultural and leisure attractions.
Santos: to grow old with quality, by the sea
If you want to grow old with peace of mind and well-being, why not move to the coast? Well-known for its beaches, Santos also stands out for being the best municipality for a peaceful retirement. This is due to the good health infrastructure and leisure options geared towards the well-being of senior citizens.
Another interesting fact is that, today, more than 25% of Santos’ population is over 60. This shows that Santos is one of the best cities to live in SP
Nova Odessa: a city that breathes green and sustainability
If you want to live in contact with nature but prefer to stay in the urban area, Nova Odessa is a good option. The small town is one of the most sustainable in São Paulo, to the point of being nicknamed the “Green Paradise”. The highlight goes to the environmental protection measures and the high percentage of green areas – there are 15 trees per inhabitant, twice as many as recommended by the UN.
In addition, the Plantarum Botanical Garden in Nova Odessa is the largest in Latin America in terms of species, with more than 6,000 different types of plants. This makes the park a national reference in the conservation of native flora, as well as a spectacular place for those who want to enjoy nature.
Santana de Parnaíba: a safe haven close to the capital
Insecurity has become a common problem in Brazil’s big cities, and many citizens are leaving the metropolis for the countryside in search of a quieter life. In this case, our tip is Santana de Parnaíba, 43 kilometers from São Paulo, voted the safest city in Brazil by Connected Smart Cities.
The city, which was the cradle of bandeirante expeditions, has beautiful colonial architecture and remnants of São Paulo’s past. It has a population of around 150,000 inhabitants, whose routine is far removed from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan crime.
Gavião Peixoto: small in size, giant in quality of life
Despite being a small town, with less than 5,000 inhabitants, Gavião Peixoto is ahead of all of Brazil’s 5570 municipalities when it comes to the well-being of its residents. With low rates of violence, high per capita income, good health and education, the city is one of the best to live in if you want peace in the interior of São Paulo.
Part of this success is due to the Embraer factory, which since 2001 has created jobs for half the population and boosted the local economy. So if you like aviation, technology and want to live in peace, there’s no better place to live.
Guaratinguetá: live well without breaking the budget
We know very well that prices are getting higher and higher in the city of São Paulo. If you don’t want to live in a metropolis, then one of the best cities to live in São Paulo is Guaratinguetá, which has the lowest cost of living in Brazil.
To give you an idea, living there can cost you up to 30% less than the average Brazilian city. And certainly even less than in São Paulo, which is currently the most expensive city in the country.
Guaratinguetá is in the Paraíba Valley, 2 hours from the capital and close to the north coast: it’s only 130 kilometers to Ubatuba, for example. So it’s possible to live in tranquillity and still be close to strategic points in the state.
São Paulo: single yes, alone never!
Finally, the tip for singles on duty. Did you know that São Paulo is the best city in the world for getting a date? In 2021, Time Out magazine conducted an international survey and came to the conclusion that if you want to flirt, there’s no better place.
With its lively nightlife, diversity of bars and restaurants, as well as cultural events, the capital of São Paulo is a perfect place for those looking for something more serious (or just a new contact, perhaps). In other words, if you want to change your marital status, it might be better to continue living in the capital.
