Why Palmas leads sanitation in Brazil’s North Region

Palmas, the capital of Tocantins, has qualities rarely found among Brazil’s state capitals: it was purpose-built at the end of the 20th century, is still expanding and records sanitation figures well above those of other major cities in the North Region. In the 2026 Sanitation Ranking, the city placed 40th among the country’s 100 largest municipalities, retaining the highest position of any northern state capital.

Why is Palmas the leading capital for sanitation in Brazil’s North Region?

Compiled by Instituto Trata Brasil and GO Associados using 2024 data from SINISA, the 2026 Sanitation Ranking places Palmas 40th nationally. Boa Vista follows immediately in 41st place, while Manaus, Belém, Macapá, Rio Branco and Porto Velho rank further down the list. Among Brazil’s 27 state capitals, Palmas is the sixth highest-ranked.

Regional leadership does not mean that every issue has been addressed. Palmas fell eight places from the previous survey, in which it ranked 32nd. Even so, water coverage remains close to universal, while several efficiency measures are still among the strongest recorded for Brazilian capitals.

• 98.03% of residents are supplied with water;
• 77.42% is recorded for total sewerage service coverage;
• 69.98% is the figure for total sewerage treatment;
• distribution losses stood at 29.42%;
• Palmas recorded 179.19 litres lost per connection per day.

What do the latest figures show about Palmas’ infrastructure?

Losses per connection are among the city’s notable results. The study defines 216 litres per connection per day as an excellent benchmark, and only four capitals were below that threshold in 2026: Goiânia, Teresina, Campo Grande and Palmas. Meanwhile, water provision in the Tocantins capital reached 98.03%, indicating an extensive network for a city that has grown rapidly over only a few decades.

Watch the following video from the Dream Big channel featuring the city of Palmas, Tocantins:

Is living in Palmas cheaper than in the major capitals of south-east Brazil?

This comparison requires caution. There is no single official index that establishes the “cost of living” across every Brazilian city, and Palmas is not currently among the capitals covered in detail by the FipeZAP Residential Sales Index. As a result, claiming an official average price per square metre that can be directly compared with São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro would be inaccurate. FipeZAP tracks advertised flats in 56 cities and 22 capitals, but it does not provide an equivalent series for Palmas.

Other surveys combining rent, food and everyday spending nevertheless point to a meaningful difference. One database updated in 2026 gives Palmas an index of 62, using São Paulo as the reference point of 100, and estimates rent for a one-bedroom flat in the city centre at around R$ 1,970. Comparisons using the same methodology also show a lower monthly cost in Palmas than in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. This provides firmer support for the idea that housing is comparatively affordable than a broad claim that the entire South-East Region is more expensive.

• Prices vary considerably between city blocks and areas;
• properties near Lake Palmas may command higher prices;
• renting and buying should be assessed separately;
• electricity costs can be significant because of high local temperatures;
• housing prices should not be considered separately from income and travel requirements.

How does urban planning set the Tocantins capital apart?

Established on 20 May 1989, Palmas is Brazil’s youngest capital city and was designed from the outset to become the seat of the new state of Tocantins. Its plan laid out broad avenues, residential blocks, green spaces and corridors for public services. The city developed between the Serra do Lajeado range and the Tocantins River, which was later altered in this area by the reservoir that created Lake Palmas.

Why does Palmas still attract people looking for a new city to live in?

Population growth helps to demonstrate this appeal. The 2022 Census counted 302,692 people in Palmas, and later Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics estimates continued to show population growth; in 2025, the capital’s population was estimated to have increased by 1.51% on the previous year. Its urban structure is also continuing to grow, alongside new residential developments, retail businesses and services.

For people considering a move, the figures help explain why Palmas has become part of discussions about where to live: it is a young, planned capital, almost all residents have access to water supply, and it currently leads the North Region in the country’s main sanitation ranking of the 100 largest municipalities. Residential costs must still be assessed area by area, but the combination of infrastructure, urban expansion and prices generally below those seen in the South-East’s largest metropolitan areas helps explain why the city continues to welcome new residents.