Cost of living in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 32% cheaper than in Irvine, California (United States)
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 823 prices entered by 91 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
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Currency:
| Food | - 6% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 6% cheaper than in Irvine, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Irvine, California | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₡ 7,580 ($14) | $15 | - 7% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₡ 4,678 ($9) | $9 | - 1% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₡ 2,431 ($4.52) | $4.99 | - 9% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₡ 986 ($1.83) | $1.04 | + 76% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₡ 2,161 ($4.02) | $3.99 | + 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₡ 1,206 ($2.24) | $4.74 | - 53% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₡ 3,002 ($5.58) | $5.06 | + 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₡ 1,980 ($3.68) | $3.14 | + 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₡ 1,246 ($2.32) | $1.82 | + 27% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₡ 898 ($1.67) | $2.85 | - 41% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₡ 8,246 ($15) | $14 | + 9% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₡ 1,614 ($3.00) | $2.02 | + 49% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₡ 883 ($1.64) | $1.95 | - 16% | |
| Housing | - 63% | |||
| Housing in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 63% cheaper than in Irvine, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Irvine, California | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₡ 587,935 ($1,093) | $3,324 | - 67% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₡ 319,371 ($594) | $2,351 | - 75% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₡ 33,405 ($62) | $176 | - 65% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₡ 410,086 ($763) | $2,135 | - 64% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₡ 245,106 ($456) | $1,541 | - 70% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₡ 26,184 ($49) | $135 | - 64% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₡ 15,583 ($29) | $53 | - 45% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₡ 248,490 ($462) | $297 | + 56% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 66,647 ($124) | $151 | - 18% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₡ 9,134 ($17) | $14 | + 23% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₡ 2,566 ($4.77) | $25 | - 81% | |
| Clothes | + 1% | |||
| Clothes in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is about the same as in Irvine, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Irvine, California | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₡ 39,120 ($73) | $40 | + 80% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₡ 22,318 ($42) | $43 | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 57,164 ($106) | $101 | + 5% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₡ 36,902 ($69) | $141 | - 51% | |
| Transportation | - 21% | |||
| Transportation in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 21% cheaper than in Irvine, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Irvine, California | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₡ 16,942,700 ($31,508) | $26,433 | + 19% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₡ 865 ($1.61) | $1.34 | + 20% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₡ 29,044 ($54) | $80 | - 32% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ₡ 7,910 ($15) | $31 | - 52% | |
| Personal Care | - 5% | |||
| Personal Care in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 5% cheaper than in Irvine, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Irvine, California | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₡ 3,885 ($7) | $7 | + 9% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₡ 10,693 ($20) | $16 | + 23% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₡ 34,334 ($64) | $98 | - 35% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₡ 3,378 ($6) | $10 | - 38% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₡ 2,962 ($5.51) | $4.14 | + 33% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₡ 3,549 ($7) | $5.93 | + 11% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₡ 1,693 ($3.15) | $4.11 | - 23% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₡ 1,583 ($2.94) | $2.33 | + 27% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₡ 8,277 ($15) | $25 | - 37% | |
| Entertainment | - 22% | |||
| Entertainment in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) is 22% cheaper than in Irvine, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Jose, Costa Rica | Irvine, California | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₡ 12,544 ($23) | $50 | - 53% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₡ 6,794 ($13) | $27 | - 53% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₡ 15,323 ($28) | $165 | - 83% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₡ 31,121 ($58) | $79 | - 27% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₡ 5,318 ($10) | $15 | - 35% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₡ 2,953 ($5.49) | $4.81 | + 14% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₡ 1,378 ($2.56) | $7 | - 65% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₡ 393,813 ($732) | $427 | + 72% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₡ 43 ($0.08) | $0.07 | + 18% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₡ 32,285 ($60) | $39 | + 55% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₡ 2,382 ($4.43) | $9 | - 51% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 32% | ||
These prices were last updated on May 28, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00186
USD
/
CRC
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 823 prices entered by 91 different people.
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