- Cost of Living
- Costa Rica
- United States
- San Jose
- Miami
- Comparison
Cost of living comparison between San Jose (Costa Rica) and Miami (United States)
| Food | 23% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Food in San Jose (Costa Rica) is 23% cheaper than in Miami (United States) | |||
| Daily menu in the business district | ₡ 4,375 ($8.71) | $15.38 | 43% |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₡ 3,369 ($6.71) | $6.78 | 1% |
| 1/2 Kg (1 lb.) of chicken breast | ₡ 2,375 ($4.73) | $4.55 | 4% |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 732 ($1.46) | $2.79 | 48% |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 1,290 ($2.57) | $2.96 | 13% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 871 ($1.74) | $3.46 | 50% |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 1,857 ($3.70) | $5.55 | 33% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 2,043 ($4.07) | $3.54 | 15% |
| 2 kg (4,5 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,550 ($3.09) | $3.58 | 14% |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) beer in the supermarket | ₡ 769 ($1.53) | $2.12 | 28% |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 8,300 ($16.53) | $16.00 | 3% |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₡ 1,336 ($2.66) | $1.80 | 48% |
| bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 711 ($1.42) | $2.07 | 31% |
| Housing | 37% | ||
| Housing in San Jose (Costa Rica) is 37% cheaper than in Miami (United States) | |||
| monthly rent for a 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished apartment in expensive area of the city | ₡ 442,857 ($882) | $1,662 | 47% |
| utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 54,286 ($108) | $155 | 30% |
| Internet 8MB (1 month) | ₡ 37,550 ($75) | $46 | 63% |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₡ 443,750 ($884) | $647 | 36% |
| Microwave, known brand, 800/900 Watt | ₡ 61,143 ($122) | $117 | 4% |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 6,563 ($13.07) | $9.33 | 40% |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 1,733 ($3.45) | $19.68 | 82% |
| Clothes | 58% | ||
| Clothes in San Jose (Costa Rica) is 58% more expensive than in Miami (United States) | |||
| 1 pair of Levis 501 | ₡ 35,000 ($70) | $39 | 80% |
| 1 summer dress in a chain store (Zara, H&M, ...) | ₡ 34,000 ($68) | $39 | 76% |
| 1 pair of Adidas trainers | ₡ 59,714 ($119) | $83 | 44% |
| 1 pair of average business shoes | ₡ 42,143 ($84) | $87 | 3% |
| Transportation | 41% | ||
| Transportation in San Jose (Costa Rica) is 41% cheaper than in Miami (United States) | |||
| Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI 140 CV 6 vel. (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 9,428,570 ($18,775) | $21,500 | 13% |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 712 ($1.42) | $1.03 | 37% |
| monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 15,714 ($31) | $78 | 60% |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 Km. (5 miles) | ₡ 5,423 ($10.80) | $21 | 48% |
| Personal Care | 2% | ||
| Personal Care in San Jose (Costa Rica) is 2% more expensive than in Miami (United States) | |||
| medicine against cold for 6 days (Frenadol, Coldrex, ...) | ₡ 4,843 ($9.64) | $11.08 | 13% |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₡ 4,000 ($7.96) | $7.11 | 12% |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,086 ($4.15) | $3.61 | 15% |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,963 ($7.89) | $4.12 | 91% |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,829 ($3.64) | $2.87 | 27% |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,729 ($3.44) | $3.17 | 9% |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 5,500 ($10.95) | $23 | 53% |
| Entertainment | 43% | ||
| Entertainment in San Jose (Costa Rica) is 43% cheaper than in Miami (United States) | |||
| basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 15,500 ($31) | $43 | 28% |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 5,864 ($11.68) | $21 | 45% |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 20,000 ($40) | $173 | 77% |
| dinner out for two in Italian restaurant with wine and dessert | ₡ 36,250 ($72) | $90 | 20% |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 3,300 ($6.57) | $12.20 | 46% |
| Capuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 1,789 ($3.56) | $4.10 | 13% |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub | ₡ 1,227 ($2.44) | $5.26 | 54% |
| iPod nano 16GB | ₡ 120,000 ($239) | $166 | 44% |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 44 ($0.09) | $0.96 | 91% |
| 1 month of gym in business district | ₡ 29,571 ($59) | $62 | 6% |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarretes | ₡ 1,271 ($2.53) | $6.53 | 61% |
| TOTAL | 32% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 4,165 prices entered by 318 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 24, 2013.
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Cost of living in San Jose (Costa Rica) is 32% cheaper than in Miami (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require
$3,750
in Miami
you would need to make just about $2,557
(₡ 1,284,166)
in San Jose.