Ribeira Brava vs Santa Cruz: cost of living compared
versus
Yearly saving in Ribeira Brava
€3,660/year
For a single person buying a home, Ribeira Brava works out cheaper. A home in Ribeira Brava costs €85,440 less.
You will
Household
Transport
60 m²
More adjustments
Ribeira BravaSanta Cruz
Estimated home price · 60 m²€85,740Δ €85,440€171,180
On the day you buy
Down payment€8,574€17,118
Transfer tax (IMT)€0€765
Stamp duty · purchase€686€1,369
Stamp duty · loan€463€924
Total upfront€9,723€20,177
Monthly payment€297€593
Mortgage payments35 years at 3.00% · 90% financed
€3,564€7,115
€3,551less in Ribeira Brava
Property tax (IMI)1VPT estimated at 50% of price
€129€257
€128less in Ribeira Brava
Water, sewage and wasteOfficial tariffs · 4 m³/month
no data for Santa Cruz
ElectricityERSE regulated tariff · 1,469 kWh/year
€377€377
same in both
GasNatural gas, regulated tariff
no data
Income tax refunded by the municipalityRibeira Brava keeps the 5%, Santa Cruz gives back 1%
€0€20
€20less in Santa Cruz
Total per yearItems with data for both
€4,069€7,729
€3,660less in Ribeira Brava
1 Property tax estimated using a taxable value (VPT) of 50% of market price. Enter the VPT from your property record for an exact figure.
Average rate on new housing loans: 3.00% (August 2026, Banco de Portugal).
excluded from comparison (missing for the other municipality)
Source: Portal das Finanças, taxas de IMI por município · 2025 · Source: Portal das Finanças, participação dos municípios no IRS · 2026 · Source: INE · 2nd quarter of 2026 · Energy: ERSE, October 2026
Beyond the cost
Mortgage payment ÷ 1 × local median gross salary
28%54%
26%better in Ribeira Brava
House price rise over 5 yearsMedian sale price (€/m²), over 5 years
+54%+126%
72 pointsrose more in Santa Cruz
Crime rateRecorded crimes per 1 000 residents
25.0/100016.6/1000
8.4/1000better in Santa Cruz
Average commuteOne way to work or school
20 min19 min
1 minbetter in Santa Cruz
Average salary (gross)Average monthly earnings, by place of work
€1,203/month€1,343/month
€140/monthbetter in Santa Cruz
Median salary (gross)Half of workers earn less than this, by place of work
€1,073/month€1,095/month
€22/monthbetter in Santa Cruz
Purchasing power (Portugal = 100)Per-capita index
70.576.9
6.4better in Santa Cruz
PharmaciesPer 1,000 people
0.20/10000.20/1000
same in both
Nearest emergency departmentAverage straight-line distance from where residents live to the nearest hospital emergency department
10.8 km7.0 km
3.8 kmbetter in Santa Cruz
CrèchesPublic, non-profit (IPSS) and private crèches and childminders, children under 3 (above 100: more places than children)
