City Profile
Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul
Brazil · Comprehensive city data and intelligence
Dourados is the second-largest city in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, serving as a vital economic, educational, and healthcare hub for the southern region of the state. Founded in the late 19th century and heavily developed through agricultural expansion, the city is widely recognized as an agribusiness powerhouse, particularly renowned for its massive production of soybeans, corn, and beef. Beyond its agricultural prowess, Dourados features a vibrant urban center with a growing population, modern infrastructure, and a bustling commercial sector that attracts residents from neighboring municipalities and Paraguay.
The city offers a unique blend of rural productivity and urban convenience, making it an attractive destination for professionals, families, and students. It hosts several higher education institutions, including the Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD) and the State University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS), injecting a youthful energy into the local community. With well-planned grid streets, pleasant green spaces, and a strategic location near the Paraguayan border, Dourados maintains a dynamic cultural identity shaped by indigenous heritage, traditional gaucho influences, and modern Brazilian development.
Mato Grosso do Sul is a Brazilian state in the Central-West Region, known for its diverse ecosystems, including a portion of the Pantanal wetlands, and a strong agribusiness economy. The state's economy is largely driven by agriculture and cattle-raising, with major exports including soybeans, pork, chicken, beef, and timber, alongside a growing industrial sector in pulp and paper, and biofuels. The climate is generally warm and humid, with a hot and rainy summer from December to February and a cooler, drier winter from June to August. The cost of living in Mato Grosso do Sul is moderate, with an estimated average monthly cost of R$3,330 (approximately $615 USD) for a single person, excluding rent, and housing and supermarket expenses often being higher than the national average.
How this 79/100 was calculated five components, with every reading behind them
| Component | Readings used | Points | Weight | Contributes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safety | Safety score: 70 / 100 | 70.0 | 30% | 21.0 |
| Affordability | Cost of living index (100 = national baseline): 48.0 | 100.0 | 25% | 25.0 |
| Economy & jobs | Median household income: $14,500 Income needed to live here: $8,000 Unemployment rate: 5.2% | 80.0 | 20% | 16.0 |
| Growth | Population growth rate: 1.4% Job growth rate: 2.3% | 63.0 | 15% | 9.5 |
| Business climate assessment | Business climate assessment: 72 / 100 | 72.0 | 10% | 7.2 |
| Overall score | 78.7 | |||
Provenance.
These figures were produced by the research pass recorded as
Tier 1 (fast) (q=52, partial — below threshold), last refreshed
17 October 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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Cost of Living
The cost of living in Dourados is generally moderate, offering a favorable balance compared to state capitals like Campo Grande or major coastal metropolitan areas in Brazil. Housing, whether renting or buying, is relatively accessible, though central neighborhoods command higher prices due to rising demand from students and professionals. Local agricultural production helps keep food and grocery prices reasonable, particularly for fresh produce, meats, and regional staples.
Utility costs, including electricity and internet, align with national averages for mid-sized Brazilian cities, while transportation expenses remain manageable given the city's compact layout and flat terrain. Dining out, entertainment, and personal services are reasonably priced, allowing residents to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without the exorbitant expenses typical of Brazil's mega-cities. Overall, disposable income tends to stretch further here, supporting a stable middle-class standard of living.
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Dourados boasts a robust economy anchored by agribusiness, grain processing, livestock farming, and wholesale trade. As the primary economic engine of southern Mato Grosso do Sul, the city provides steady employment opportunities in agricultural technology, logistics, food production, and retail. Major employers range from large multinational grain exporters and meatpacking plants to a diverse network of local commercial enterprises and financial institutions.
The service and education sectors also contribute significantly to job growth, supported by the presence of regional universities and healthcare facilities. While remote work infrastructure is expanding rapidly with reliable broadband availability, the local job market remains predominantly driven by on-site operations in commerce, agriculture, and professional services. Entrepreneurial ventures find fertile ground here, supported by an active chamber of commerce and a growing regional consumer base.
The average salary in Dourados is $9,500 per year. You would need approximately $8,000 to live comfortably.
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Getting around Dourados is primarily centered around private vehicles, motorcycles, and an expanding municipal bus network. The city's grid layout and wide avenues facilitate relatively smooth traffic flow, though peak hours experience moderate congestion near commercial centers and university campuses. Biking is also popular due to the terrain, and pedestrian walkability is high in the central commercial zones.
While public transit serves the main urban corridors adequately, car ownership remains common for greater flexibility in reaching rural and industrial outskirts. Regional highways connect Dourados efficiently to Campo Grande, the Paraguayan border, and neighboring agricultural towns.
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